I was usually at work during these times. I noticed a behavior change whenever I fooled with her feet. Stayed home on the last visit and saw what was happening. Needless to say, that farrier does not do my horses anymore. Out of the 4 horses I have she is the most traumatic. I have an old rasp that I have put around her but she has a fit and then I spend the rest of the weekend calming her fears. What can I do?
2007-02-22 09:34:41 · 7 answers · asked by cowgirl 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Just give her some time. Do a lot of rubbing. Groom her legs daily and act like there isn't a problem. If she acts up, try and keep your hand(s) where she is uncomfortable until she stops moving her feet and calms down. Once she does release and rub her withers and neck. Don't tie her up when you do this, she will get really claustrophobic and make the situation worse. When she is good with that, start introducing the rasp into the picture. Again, do a lot of rubbing. Once she is ok with it touching her entire body, start picking her feet up while you hold the rasp in the other hand. Stay with her until she stands and is calm, then release. Then, introduce a very little rasp, release the foot, and walk away from her or rub her neck and chest. Pick the foot up, 2 little rasps, release. Pick up the foot, 3 little rasps, release. Do this over a period of time, don't rush her. Make sure to do this on all 4 feet and rub equally on both sides.
Good Luck.
2007-02-22 11:26:02 · answer #1 · answered by Horsetrainer89 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First I should say that you should have never let the farrier trim your horses feet without you there if you did not trust him and did not know how he treated your horses. I've been using my farrier for well over 10 years and he's great. Although I trust him with my horses I still schedule him at a time when I can be there that way I can be there to discipline any of my horses if they go to act up.
Next you need to find a new farrier that you can trust and has many references. For the next few months you'll need to set up your horses hoof appointments to when you can be there to monitor and discipline your horses- it is not up to the farrier to train OR discipline your equines.
Explain your situation about the previous farrier to the new farrier and explain that you've tried working with her. Most farriers will understand and will give your horse frequent breaks and try to make the experience easy and painless to your horses.
Lastly, don't tie or put an old rasp around your horse. rasp's tend to rust very easy and will do so with age. Not only do they easily cut skin but your horse can get tetanus from a rusty tool rubbing and cutting her.
Just work with lifting her feet and cleaning out daily with a hoof pick. If she goes to acting up or getting scared- simply put the foot down and move away from her. When she is calm, try again.
2007-02-22 09:49:36 · answer #2 · answered by silvaspurranch 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I had the exact same thing happen to me with a Quarter Horse I bought. The worst part was that it happened the first day I brought him home (his feet were horrific).
I spent a lot of time with him just to gain his trust and respect. Then I just used repetitive methods, picking up his feet, cleaning them, doing it as quickly as possible at first then prolonging it to the point a farrier would.
It will help if she trusts you, that way you can have her focus on you when the farrier is doing the work. Hope this helps!
2007-02-22 11:06:32 · answer #3 · answered by drsj_coach_sara 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. Even if this horse had a habit of doing this, he should have still recognized the signs. The only way I would send a horse out of state for training would be to a world-class trainer for a specific discipline. That apparently is not what this guy is.
2016-05-24 00:02:07 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply give her time and kindness. Do what you normally do that scares her but do it slowly and when she starts to skit reassure her and then keep going (though slower and after they she calms down a little) when she starts skitting again simply repeat. Eventually she'll realize your kinder than the farrier and will trust you.
2007-02-22 09:42:54 · answer #5 · answered by Shadow Eclipse 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
start by just running your hand down her leg and after a month do a little more amd more and more after every time give her a treat . call animal cruilty and turn the farier in!
2007-02-22 09:42:33 · answer #6 · answered by rabbithorsegirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
omg that poor thing u should sue him of something thats abuse
2007-02-22 09:53:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋