Dizzleton
Well-Known Member
For the OP: I hope I've understood everything as I got a little caught up in the ill advised comments of some people.
If it was my horse, I would take it back to basics and address the two main problems 1) Not wanting to be tied up 2) Fear of being shod.
1) Safety of you and your horse is very important, so I'd advise to always wear a hat and gloves around him incase of an accident and to buy him an equi-ping tie. They give way under a certain pressure so is safer for your horse in the event of a fall etc.
When I had a pony that wouldn't tie up, I got it an likit treat hanger to keep him occupied whilst tying up, it kept him busy and he enjoyed coming in for it. I started with a couple of minutes tied up with his likit treat, gradually increasing it to 10, 15 then 20 minutes. I then slowly took the likit away and he still continued to behave himself, after a few months of training he could stand for a good 30 minutes without his likit and without trying to rear/escape.
2) The next problem is with the farrier. He obviously has learnt one of two things; A - The farrier/shoeing is terrifying B - If I rear/play-up I will get out of being shod. I believe it is A by the way you have described him.
I would suggest a oral paste calmer which are brilliant for calming nervous horses without leaving them unaware what is going on. Again, I would also suggest taking him back to basics where you pick up each foot for a second and place it back down along with a big pat and even a treat. Do this as much as possible until your horse is comfortable with you holding his foot. Once he is calm and relaxed pick out his hooves so he's used to movement on his feet, the next step once he is comfortable with his hooves being picked is to tap his hoof gently with the rounded edge of the hood pick. Again, carry on doing each step until he is totally relaxed. Move the tapping onto the metal shoe so he get's used to the metal on metal noise too.
Get him used to this as much a possible and do it where ever you can - so field, leading in from the field, stable, arena etc etc. He'll soon learn that there isn't going to be pain when he's shod.
(Remember to keep praising him on good behaviour and do not panic or get angry if something goes wrong, just ignore him and start again).
Here is a link for some paste calmer and an equi-ping:
http://www.kmeliteproducts.co.uk/horse-essentials-supplements-ea/so-kalm-paste
http://www.kmeliteproducts.co.uk/Yard/equi-ping-hot-pink
Hope it all works!
If it was my horse, I would take it back to basics and address the two main problems 1) Not wanting to be tied up 2) Fear of being shod.
1) Safety of you and your horse is very important, so I'd advise to always wear a hat and gloves around him incase of an accident and to buy him an equi-ping tie. They give way under a certain pressure so is safer for your horse in the event of a fall etc.
When I had a pony that wouldn't tie up, I got it an likit treat hanger to keep him occupied whilst tying up, it kept him busy and he enjoyed coming in for it. I started with a couple of minutes tied up with his likit treat, gradually increasing it to 10, 15 then 20 minutes. I then slowly took the likit away and he still continued to behave himself, after a few months of training he could stand for a good 30 minutes without his likit and without trying to rear/escape.
2) The next problem is with the farrier. He obviously has learnt one of two things; A - The farrier/shoeing is terrifying B - If I rear/play-up I will get out of being shod. I believe it is A by the way you have described him.
I would suggest a oral paste calmer which are brilliant for calming nervous horses without leaving them unaware what is going on. Again, I would also suggest taking him back to basics where you pick up each foot for a second and place it back down along with a big pat and even a treat. Do this as much as possible until your horse is comfortable with you holding his foot. Once he is calm and relaxed pick out his hooves so he's used to movement on his feet, the next step once he is comfortable with his hooves being picked is to tap his hoof gently with the rounded edge of the hood pick. Again, carry on doing each step until he is totally relaxed. Move the tapping onto the metal shoe so he get's used to the metal on metal noise too.
Get him used to this as much a possible and do it where ever you can - so field, leading in from the field, stable, arena etc etc. He'll soon learn that there isn't going to be pain when he's shod.
(Remember to keep praising him on good behaviour and do not panic or get angry if something goes wrong, just ignore him and start again).
Here is a link for some paste calmer and an equi-ping:
http://www.kmeliteproducts.co.uk/horse-essentials-supplements-ea/so-kalm-paste
http://www.kmeliteproducts.co.uk/Yard/equi-ping-hot-pink
Hope it all works!