Horsemanship Essentials – Phobia Of Cows

This episode documents Monty Roberts and Kelly Marks works with Calypso, a Thoroughbred cross Irish sports horse with an extreme fear of cows. The programme demonstrates techniques for addressing equine phobias through gradual exposure, acceptance training, and understanding.

The session begins with groundwork establishing effective communication using the Dually halter, which lowers Calypso’s heart rate. The primary focus then shifts to gradually introducing Calypso to a cow in a controlled pen. The programme highlights Calypso’s initial fear response, the techniques employed to help her remain in the cow’s presence, and her subsequent reduction in fear as she gains a sense of control over the interaction. Monty provides the owner with advice for continuing Calypso’s rehabilitation. The episode concludes with Calypso showing a remarkably calmer demeanour around the cow.

Viewers will witness Monty Roberts working with Calypso, using a Dually halter and employing gradual acceptance training (desensitisation) techniques. The episode includes the use of heart rate monitors to track Calypso’s physiological response to the cow. Viewers will observe Calypso’s progression from extreme fear to relative calmness.

Key Learning Points:

1. Establishing Effective Communication: Using tools like the Dually halter to create a partnership with clear communication which can significantly influence the horses  emotional state and responsiveness to training.
2. Gradual and Controlled Exposure: Overcoming phobias in horses requires a gradual and controlled introduction to the feared stimulus, avoiding forced confrontation.
3. The Power of Voluntary Interaction: Allowing the horse to approach and engage with the feared stimulus voluntarily is crucial for reducing fear and promoting learning and a sense of control.
4. Understanding Physiological Responses: Monitoring a horse’s physiological responses, such as heart rate, can provide valuable insights into their level of stress and progress in overcoming fear.
5. Addressing Sensory Triggers: Phobias can be linked to specific sensory triggers, such as smell, and addressing these (e.g., by introducing a calf to the stable environment) can be an important part of the desensitisation process.