Farrier aversive pony - update

[Fjord]

A while ago I posted about my fell pony who tried to flatten the farrier when he picked up her feet. He suggested sedation, which I didn't really want to do.

I was recommended a barefoot trimmer who was good with nervous horses and today, on our 5th session, she had all feet trimmed in an hour, our best time yet. She was so good! She started to get a bit stressed at one point so we had a break where she had to do some circles and a few steps backwards, which was enough to sort of 'reset' her mind and she was fine after that.

I'm so pleased I've found a trimmer who is willing to work with her, rather than force her. I can now pick up, clean and mess about with her feet loose in the field, as long as she has food.

Photo from this morning just because she's beautiful.

 

[planete]

I am very glad for you and her. I had the same problem with my pony who became incredibly tense around my male farrier. My trimmer is sympathetic and patient and female and he is happy with her. I am now no longer sure which factor has been most influential in the improvement. Until yesterday I believed the sympathetic attitude was key but my pony jumped violently away from a harmless male walker we came across yesterday, a large, muscular man. He is okay with strangers usually and I now suspect he is weary of men of a particular body type. One of my rescue bitches can also show total panic if she sees some men, always same body type.

 

[Fjord]

Poor boy, do you think he has had rough treatment from a burly male in the past?