What Is A Bombproof Horse? A Way To Help Them Be Their Best Self

For the horse, the world is a scary place. The rustling in the bushes could be a pack of wolves. The shadow that fell across the path could be a lion. Survival dictates instant reaction; a moment's hesitation could be too late. They have to stay one step ahead of their predators. In the wild, it is the only way to stay alive. While it may come in different levels of intensity, this instinct is deeply embedded in every horse. And whenever and however we ride, we will have to deal with the equine’s fight or flight reaction. As riders and horse-lovers, we should be dedicated students of how we can better work with our mounts. And a huge part of that for me has been focusing on helping the horse become what we call ‘bombproof’.

What Is Bombproofing?

For me, bombproofing is training a horse to be able to handle stressful situations in a calm state of mind. We’re not talking about forcing a horse to endure terror, but to give them the power to see beyond their fear. Through this, a new world opens up to them! They don’t have to live in constant thought of danger. Some people try to do this through desensitizing the horse, often done by making a horse stand still while bringing loads of ‘scary’ objects and sounds around them.

This isn’t the best way, as it only creates horses that simply don’t react, but still experience fear. We don’t want to make horses that are dull to the world, while panicking inside. We want our horse to be sensitive, but under control. That’s how we can work as a team with them. Our goal should be horses with a calm mind as they learn how courageous they can be!

Why Is It Important?

Horses that live in fear can be a danger to themselves as well as to those around them. If they just go sideways while you’re leading them, they can step on you. A horse that panics can run through a fence, causing injury. A horse that explodes or bolts home at the slightest sound can make a rider fall off or even get knocked off by a low-hanging branch. As horsemen and women, we are responsible for making a safe environment for horses and people alike. By working to bombproof our horses we are planning for safety in all that we do.

Does it Apply To All Riding?

Absolutely! No matter if you’re riding simply for fun or if you’re competing at the highest level, you will always benefit from having a horse that is strong and confident. When riding in show rings, there are bright lights, loud noises, and lots of constant action. When riding on the farm or on the trail, there are tractors, wild animals, and weather. All these things can cause a horse to go into fight-or-flight, bringing on reactions such as bucking, bolting, and rearing. I believe so many of the injuries, for both horse and rider, that you might see in videos or in person, could be avoided if we took the time to properly build their confidence.

How Do We Prepare The Horse For Success?

When working on bombproofing a horse, it’s so important not to rush. If we flood the horse with training, we can unintenually over-stimulate them. And while they may still learn, we aren’t setting them up for success like this. I was guilty of this when I first started horse training. Through following a lot of the ideas I saw online, I ended up introducing too much, too fast. We need to go at a pace that is comfortable for each individual horse. Make sure they are always encountering new things in a safe environment. The slower you are willing to take it at the beginning, the faster you'll find your progress going later on. Build a good foundation in your training. Make sure that you never create a situation that overwhelms your horse. Ask questions that are easy for them to say yes to; take baby steps when needed. Break it down into small, doable steps that your horse is ready and willing to accomplish.

Creating Confidence And Connection

Bombproofing a horse is a process that we work on every day. While we ride. While we do the chores. And while they’re just out in their pasture. The #1 thing that horses search for is release and a place of safety.

Let them find both of those in you. Make your horse feel safe around you; give them release with your leg aids and reins while riding. Your main focus is to build trust and connection. A horse that is connected to you will trust you. And a horse that trusts you will have confidence in you. Confidence that you are a good leader. Confidence that you wouldn’t ask them to do something that would hurt them. Confidence that you are with them and for them. And the more confidence they have in you, the more they will be able to face calmly. And the more they face, the more confidence they will have in themselves! Yes, that loud truck that went by was scary, but they know that they are safest with you, and with this clear mind, they will see that they are not in danger. Once they reach this point, they will become curious. And curiosity will bring your bombproofing to a whole new level. Now, instead of wanting to escape, our horses want to see, understand, and explore. This is a beautiful place to be!

I can tell you from experience that a bombproof horse (like my Dolly!) is worth its weight in gold. It makes every interaction with them all the more wonderful. With this gift of confidence, they will become the best version of themselves! This doesn’t mean they are invincible. Even the best horse can still spook, so always move with caution, consideration, and comfort for your horse. Enjoy the journey - discovering how much you both are capable of doing! Let creating the bombproof horse be a wonderful time for you and your horse.