In the world of horse training, there's a widely discussed concept: desensitization. Many believe that the key to a well-behaved horse lies in making them impervious to external stimuli. While this approach may seem logical at first glance, as a seasoned horse trainer specializing in behavioral training, I want to share a different perspective.
Let's talk about exposure training. Unlike desensitization, exposure training focuses on teaching our equine companions how to navigate and cope with various stimuli in a healthy and constructive manner. Instead of dulling their senses, we aim to empower them with the skills to manage stressful, frightening, or surprising situations effectively.
Why do we advocate for exposure training over desensitization? Here are two critical reasons:
Identification of Potential Dangers: Horses are intelligent animals with finely tuned instincts. When we desensitize them, we risk dulling their ability to discern genuine threats from harmless stimuli. In the wild, this keen sense of awareness can mean the difference between life and death. By exposing our horses to different stimuli, we allow them to develop the crucial skill of identifying potential dangers while maintaining their innate sensitivity.
Communication of Discomfort: Imagine a scenario where a horse encounters something genuinely unsettling—a loud noise, a sudden movement, or an unfamiliar object. If the horse has been desensitized to such stimuli, they may suppress their natural reactions until the discomfort becomes unbearable. This suppression can lead to explosive reactions or "blow-ups" that endanger both the horse and its handler. In contrast, exposure training encourages horses to communicate their discomfort in a constructive manner, allowing us to address their concerns before they escalate into crises.
Desensitization training often involves a technique known as "flooding." This approach tends to foster learned helplessness behavior and causes horses to shut down emotionally. Instead of empowering our horses, flooding can leave them feeling overwhelmed and disengaged from the learning process.
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