Equissage

R

Rachellouise1

Well-Known Member
Joined
11 August 2007
Messages
379
Location
Lancs, UK
Visit site
Hi there all, I bought one of the above. The pony loved it when the woman came...... Tried to put it on when I got it, frightened the poor thing to the highest stress levels and have not been able to get it anywhere near her since. Am seriously thinking of selling it, will lose half if not more what I paid but it's no good sitting in our garage doing nothing. Any ideas would be gratefully received, thank you in advance, Rach xx
 
I bought the hand held one too last year, tried it on one of mine with arthritis and he responded really well, hence buying it! Trouble is I wanted to use it on my exracer too but can't get it anywhere near him, he totally freaks!
 
Hi there

I would suggest you could ask if your local equissage rep might come and help you to make sure it was fitted to the horse well before using it. Or you could see if 'the woman' that you mentioned could come and help you with it.

If you want to have a go yourself try just putting it on for a few minutes each day without turning it on. Once your horse is comfortable with it being put on and off then think about turning it onto a low setting and then gradually increase the frequency.

Make sure the girth strap and breast strap are both nice and secure so it doesn't feel unsecure or like it is moving to your horse.

hope that helps

Vel x
 
I would also just put it on several days in a row without turning it on,, but put it over a thickish rug too as some horses don't like the feel against their skin, take plenty of time let your horse sniff at it and feel safe with it. When you have gone through all of that successfully turn it on very briefly then straight off again, still over the rug, gradually build up the time until you get relaxation again. my horse always pretends he's never seen his before and snorts like crazy when I haven't used it for a while and then once its on him he settles down and loves it!!! good luck
 
Thanks for that, unfortunately I don't think I'm ever going to get it near her again. Her reaction was so extreme from a distance, it was really dangerous for all concerned. Not sure where to advertise it. Probably will try the rep again, she said she would come and help me but I'm thinking we are beyond that, it just needs to go. Such a shame, but that's life. Am keeping the hand held unit, she loves that, weird little horse she is!!
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated xxx
 
I have one for my horse and it has been an absolute godsend. However I only ever use it on a low (max 4) setting. My other horse is very noise and vibration sensitive and is not as keen on it.

Could you try just putting it over the stable door when you horse is in the stable for a few days and let her sniff it - don't let her knock it off. Once she has settled with this turn it on on a very low setting and let her settle with that before trying to put it on her.

Do you also have the hand unit? If so, it might be worth standing next to her with it and then rub it up and down her neck/shoulder without it turned on. Progress slowly and when you do turn it on put your hand on her neck and the unit on your hand. Keep it turned down low.

If you do ever get to use the pad again I would re-iterate about doing the straps up securely. A friend did not do the chest strap up on her horse who was spooked when tied up. He pulled free and galloped off down the yard with the pad slid under his belly. In his panic he fell over and was off work for six months.
 
I put ine on and that almost what happened to Biddy, she moved before I got it done up, startedbronking it flew trought the air and the rest as they say is history. She won't even look at it and if she does she starts kicking the wall and galloping round the stable!! She will tolerate the hand held unit being attached to her neck while I'm skipping out and it's buzzing away on her front leg!! I tried to put the battery bit of the hand held unit on her yesterday and I got white eyes for a bit but then she settled and put her head down, so I may try to do that everyday, I could maybe fashion something less expensive that mimicks the back pad to de-sensitise her, worth try cos I really would love her wear it everyday as she is tight in her shoulders
Thank you xx
 
Yes tasel it does run into thousands, but I have wanted one for years and my Granny left me some money when she died so I bought one.... Can't get it near the beast thought, it's hilarious xx
 
Could you try putting a lunging roller on her as this is sort of similar. Then try putting the handheld unit on whilst she is wearing the roller, so she gets used to them being together, and hopefully she might progress to having the equissage back pad back on again?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top