KBR Horse Training Information

Exercising Body AND Mind

Building a "Confidence Course"

Part Three
Note: When the temperature reached 107 degrees we called it quits. Even though tough old Bart hadn't worked up a sweat, we sure had. The next photos were taken two days later when it cooled down a little and we returned to the Confidence Course.

  THE TIRE SIDEWALL RING

We used to use big rig truck tires for step-throughs, however it was possible for a horse who decided to suddenly back up to catch a fetlock on the tire bead and flip the tire up into his chest. Such an accident didn't physically hurt the horse but it sure could undermine his confidence. We found the sidewalls of earthmover tires to be just as effective and much safer, even though it took about an hour to saw the sidewall from a tire. (Earthmover tires with "upper" sidewalls removed can make great feeders, however large tires used as feeders with sidewalls left intact can trap and seriously injure horses!)

The object is to walk calmly, placing all feet in turn inside the sidewall, then stop with either front or hind feet in the sidewall, and for more advanced horses, back through the sidewall.

Walking through the tire sidewall ring.

  IN AND OUT ALLEY

In and out alley is a simple but challenging obstacle. It is a narrow alley made up of four fence posts, two laid out end-to-end on either side of the alley, with some safe, solid object at one end. (We used an old stop sign.) The object is to enter the alley, stop at the end and touch the solid object, then back straight out without stepping out of bounds.
Touching the stop sign on cue.

  ENHANCING THE OBSTACLES

We can enhance some of the obstacles by adding additional safe elements, such as crushed cans, plastic bottles or a piece of canvas tarp in the log trail. A water puddle can be a great obstacle if soil conditions provide safe footing. Extra barrels and poles can be arranged to make interesting labyrinths to ride and back through. Just remember that the obstacles should challenge but not scare or hurt the horse. A terrified or injured horse only loses confidence in the puzzles set out for him.

Also, the obstacles presented in this section are our "permanent" obstacles. We have a number of other interesting obstacles that we can deploy as needed and they can be seen by visiting the links provided below.

  MAKING PROGRESS

The first time Bart attempted the more difficult obstacles we placed "guide" barrels alongside at appropriate locations to help him focus and to discourage him from considering "alternative routes" around rather than through or over the obstacles. We revisited these same obstacles and as the photos show, the guide barrels were no longer necessary.
Posing for a photo on the step platform.
Mounting the tire pedestal.
Standing on the tire pedestal.
We then decided to see if Bart was confident enough to mount the formidable tire pedestal off lead, completely on voice cues. Don't forget that at this time Bart was a mature BLM wild horse at the very start of his gentling and training and this was Glenn's first experience handling and gentling a wild horse.

Here are links to some other obstacle course and bomb proofing ideas.

Building Yourself a Horse Course

Developing Confident Horses

Sharon Beck's Obstacle Courses Made Easy

Wild Horse Boot Camp Obstacles

Bomb Proofing: Producing Horses You Can Trust

Bomb Proofing in Stagecoach

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Note: When working around any obstacles, you need to pay careful attention to your situation, your horse, any distractions and what others nearby are doing (what impact they may have on you and what impact you may have on them). Some horses may react unpredictably and you need to be prepared to guide them through any situation... or get competent assistance if you are not sure how to do so!

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