Desensitizing to Tarps, Bags & Scary Objects

The Correct Method: Approach and Retreat

The approach-and-retreat method works because it teaches the horse that its own relaxation makes scary things go away. This is fundamentally different from flooding (forcing the horse to endure until it stops reacting) which teaches endurance, not confidence.

Tarps — Step by Step

1. Lay the tarp flat and motionless on the ground. Lead the horse near it at a comfortable distance. Let it look. Wait for one relaxation signal (head drop, breath, eye softening). End there.
2. Next session: move slightly closer to the stationary tarp. Same protocol — wait for relaxation, end on a positive.
3. Once the horse is calm near the stationary tarp: begin touching the tarp slowly while the horse watches from the same distance. Let it investigate with its nose if it wants to.
4. Progress to walking the horse over the tarp on the ground — only when it is completely relaxed standing next to it.
5. Introduce movement: rustling, snapping, billowing. Start with slight movement at distance, increase gradually.

Plastic Bags on a Stick

A plastic bag tied to the end of a carrot stick or lunge whip is one of the most versatile desensitization tools. Start with the bag 10+ feet from the horse, move it gently. Move closer as the horse relaxes. Eventually you want to be able to rub the bag all over the horse — head, neck, back, legs — with the horse standing relaxed. This is a reliable test of genuine confidence.

Flags and Tarps in Motion

Moving objects are always more frightening than stationary ones. Work through stationary first, then slow movement, then faster movement. Never skip the stationary phase even if the horse seems fine — the movement phase will always be harder, and a solid stationary foundation makes it much faster.

The Test: Can You Rub It Anywhere?

The test of genuine desensitization: can you rub the scary object slowly and thoroughly over every part of the horse — head, ears, legs, belly, haunches — with the horse standing relaxed? If yes, you've built real confidence with that object. If the horse is only tolerating it in one spot, or tolerating the presence but not the contact, there's more work to do.