Covering a horse's eyes when loading?

Hi!

🥕 It is true that horses can be calmed, and almost seem to switch off, if you cover their eyes. Trying to load a horse with its eyes covered is very risky, though. It can panic and injure itself, people and the transport if it tries to flee without being able to see where it is going.

It really is not something to recommend.

🥕 Covering the eyes and putting cotton wool in the ears are two very different things. Muffling sound can work really well for horses in all sorts of situations they find stressful, and it is not dangerous in the way that handling a horse with no sight is. Tucking cotton wool or padding into the ears and putting on an ear bonnet is sometimes enough to settle a stressed horse.

That said, it is important to train and prepare the horse for both loading and the places you plan to travel to, rather than reaching for methods like covering its eyes.

Good luck, and do ask more about loading training if you would like some tips 🦄😊