Horses have unfounded fears and sudden over-reactions because they have highly developed senses. Luckily, when Zum overcomes his fear with one object, he more easily overcomes his fear of the next object. When he actively resists me by pulling away or bolting, he is beyond his ability to cope. I ease up and go back to Zum’s tolerance level. I know Zum is relaxed when he lowers his head and neck, rests a hind leg, looks at me with soft eyes, relaxes his ears, exhales through his nostrils or moves his tongue, chews and licks his lips. Once Zum relaxes, I reward him with a break, a rub and a kind word.
