Desensitising a horse who doesn't like spray bottles

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Jsye

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Hi All
As it's now approaching fly-season I think it's about time to tackle my horses huge dislike of spray bottles! He suffered quite badly with the flies even with a fly rug on - me wiping fly spray over him with my hands just isn't good enough.

He strangely doesn't bother at all with the hose pipe, I can bathe him and spray him with the hose all over without him blinking at it. This makes me think it must be the sound of the spray bottle or the 'light' feeling he doesn't like? I don't know but i'd love to be able to just spray him with fly spray like a normal horse!

Has anyone ever managed to do this before? I've tried giving him treats whilst spraying very small amounts around him - he can handle me spraying it around him just hates it going on him.

Any advice would be BRILLIANT! :-)
Thanks
 
It's about desensitising him (spray lots and lots of times, at a distance that barely bothers him and gradually get closer) and negative reinforcement. As above, but the INSTANT he stops reacting, stop spraying - that is his reward. Over and over and closer and closer - then be prepared for him to react slightly when you actually have fly spray, the smell might cause him concern. Do it with water first then when he is used to that, some fly spray, but it will come a lot lot quicker then so less wasted.
 
I'd also like some tips. In 4 years I've never managed to get my horse used to it. I was of the thinking that the more we do, the more he will accept it but we still end up running round in circles.
 
If it's just fly spray you have problems with, why not used SpotOn? The product licensed for cattle does a good job on my Highland ponies. Just be aware that it is not licensed for horses so you may want to try a small quantity on a test spot first. You may also need an agricultural holding number to buy it (or someone with one!). I just pour 2ccs on the top of the head and another 2ccs on the tail of each pony. Never had any problems and no flies either. Magic stuff!

If you are going the spray route, use a rose sprayer and desensitise with water as above.
 
According to UK etymology there are 5 Spot on products licensed for horses - Brute Pore on; Celebration Spot On; Durvet Fly Rid Plus; Equi-Spot Spot on fly control; Freedom 45 Spot on and Ultra Spot. The article is here if anyone wants to look http://www2.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef513.asp
I must admit I hadn't heard of these before so definitely going to look...
 
My horse used to be terrible with sprays but he's not bothered at all now. I began by spraying him with his fly rug on so it wasn't going on his skin. I let him go round in a circle and then stopped spraying when he stood still.
 
Pressure and release works on all horses they work on pressure all the time after all:) they just need the release, the pressure is direction- so spray it at a relatively safe distance but not arms length if u can :) then expect a reaction , move back and take the pressue off ... Until he drops his head and looks a little relaxed keep repeating until said horse stops reacting and just praise :) once he realises that its not constant pressure and he gets that release thats its no fear he will be fine worked on my little mare :) x
 
Since your horse doesn't mind a bath, I used a cheap flea repellent dog shampoo (natural chemicals) with great effect last year. It doesn't last ages but handy if you often hose them down after work :-)
 
Sunysideup said:
Pressure and release works on all horses they work on pressure all the time after all:) they just need the release, the pressure is direction- so spray it at a relatively safe distance but not arms length if u can :) then expect a reaction , move back and take the pressue off ... Until he drops his head and looks a little relaxed keep repeating until said horse stops reacting and just praise :) once he realises that its not constant pressure and he gets that release thats its no fear he will be fine worked on my little mare :) x
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This but start by spraying into the air beside him not at him, get him used to the sound of the spray before the texture. Only quit spraying each time when he relaxes (drops head/stops moving feet/lick/chew etc etc.)
 
Jsye said:
Hi All
As it's now approaching fly-season I think it's about time to tackle my horses huge dislike of spray bottles! He suffered quite badly with the flies even with a fly rug on - me wiping fly spray over him with my hands just isn't good enough.

He strangely doesn't bother at all with the hose pipe, I can bathe him and spray him with the hose all over without him blinking at it. This makes me think it must be the sound of the spray bottle or the 'light' feeling he doesn't like? I don't know but i'd love to be able to just spray him with fly spray like a normal horse!

Has anyone ever managed to do this before? I've tried giving him treats whilst spraying very small amounts around him - he can handle me spraying it around him just hates it going on him.

Any advice would be BRILLIANT! :-)
Thanks
Click to expand...

MY LATE MARE WAS LIKE THIS, I hate to wipe over or get a garden spray bottle and spray her while she walked around me.

Sometimes perseverance is the only way
 
Canter coat shine is now available in a different type of spray bottle that doesn't seem to have the same effect on my pony, its like a silent spray which lasts longer therefore no noise and very little pressing of the handle - I'm loving it and he doesn't react at all! Hopefully the design will catch on and different products will be available in that bottle
 
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