10/29/2025
Let’s Talk About “Flooding” Horses — And Why It’s Unavoidable When Saddling for the First Time
You often hear people say how much they dislike seeing trainers “flood” horses. Flooding means exposing a horse to constant pressure without a release until they accept it because the pressure doesn’t go away — for example, tying a tarp to the saddle horn and letting them freak out unt they realize they cant get away from it. Its forced acceptance.
Now, I personally train using pressure and release, which some refer to as negative reinforcement — meaning the release of pressure is the horse’s reward. I’ve found this method to be the most effective for creating understanding that lasts a lifetime. It builds confidence, clarity, and responsiveness faster and with better long-term results than anything else.
But here’s something that often gets overlooked: when you saddle a c**t for the very first time, that is a form of flooding. You’re putting pressure on them with that saddle, and unlike a flag or a tarp, you can’t take it away when they relax.
In my program, I always use pressure and release with my tools — whether it’s my stick and string, lead rope, flag, or tarp — because I can control and remove that pressure at the right time. However, once it comes to saddling, the horse needs to work through that moment. Taking the saddle off when they’re in fight-or-flight mode teaches them that their reactive behavior is what made the pressure go away — which creates a lasting problem.
So yes, while I don’t use flooding for all other desensitizing, saddling is the one exception. I don’t take it off until the horse is calm, relaxed, loping freely, and no longer trying to roll or rub it off. Once they realize they can’t get rid of it and it’s just part of their day, they accept it — and that’s where real learning begins.
This step is so important in starting c**ts. I wish more people who are against “flooding” would understand that the first saddling, by definition, is exactly that — and it’s a crucial part of developing a willing, confident horse for the rest of their life.
Youll see in the video how Dante is mad because the saddle is still on his back, and thats okay. Hes just trying to figure it out and it’s a normal part of the process. I dont worry about this part of it, my main focus is teaching these horses they can try everything they can think of to get it off and it wont work. I dont have to keep every c**t that comes in saddled for as long as Dante, but there is the odd case i do need them to wear it a little bit longer than “usual”. Its a c**t starting saddle that is here for the abuse these c**ts put it through 🙌
**ts
