Some horses just do not do spray bottles. One sound, one mist, and it is all over. In this episode of Ground Work Guys, Nick and Tik meet an 18-hand draft mare who panics at the very idea of being sprayed. Even hearing a bottle on the other side of the trailer is enough to send her sky-high.
Instead of fighting through fear, they talk about how to rebuild trust one sense at a time. You will hear them unpack why spray bottles can feel like predators to horses, how to take the mystery out of the sound, and why relaxation beats tolerance every time. They explore ways to use rhythm, predictability, and even curiosity to help a horse think her way through fear rather than run from it.
Here is what you will learn in this episode:
• How to safely reintroduce scary objects using sight, sound, touch, and smell
• Why a horse's reaction to a spray bottle often has more to do with past restraint than the bottle itself
• How to replace panic with predictability through approach and retreat
• The difference between tolerance and true relaxation — and why it matters
• Why training in short, frequent sessions helps horses learn faster
• How to turn desensitizing into a conversation instead of a confrontation
This episode is full of insight, humor, and a few classic Nick and Tik moments that remind us training is as much about staying curious as it is about staying calm.
Watch the full video lessons on Camp HorseWorld, where every rider's journey finds its path.