Fear of sprays

[R...]

My horse doesn't like to be sprayed with any sprays and is a little bit head shy. He doesn't try to bite or kick, he just backs up or moves away from it and becomes a bit scared if I approach him after (thinking I'm going to spray him again), I'm not sure on how to help him with this fear. Should I try and get a quieter spray or is there a way I could train him to be better with it? Does anyone have this problem/how have you helped it? Thanks

 

[TinselPoos]

Maybe just spray the stuff onto a cloth and wipe it on rather than spray?

 

[Lois Lame]

Or you could get a spray bottle, fill with water, and spray it near him in a quiet manner so that he gets accustomed to the sound of it.

 

[Jenko109]

Maybe just spray the stuff onto a cloth and wipe it on rather than spray?

Agreed.

Pick your battles...

 

[Carrottom]

I fill a spray with water, spray it onto a body brush, then brush that onto the horse. Gradually getting the spray closer to the horse. When they are relaxed with that, I give a short spray and brush. As they are already damp, they don't really notice the spray. Continue the spray and brush for a while. After a few times over a few days, I find I can stop using the brush

 

[colourville 17]

I have a large spray that you pump to build up pressure then the actual spray is completely silent. Been a game changer for fly spray x

 

[Alibear]

You can train this one. It’s all about timing. For training get a spray bottle with water; spray horse and stop as soon as they so much as think about standing still. It’s stopping quick enough that does the training bit so if you need to just move the spray away if you’re mid spray when you see them think about stopping. The horse learns the quickest way to stop the spray is to stand still. Over time that means they stand still when you spray. Good luck. If you have any natural horsemanship people about the good ones can fix it in one go.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

My horse doesn't like to be sprayed with any sprays and is a little bit head shy. He doesn't try to bite or kick, he just backs up or moves away from it and becomes a bit scared if I approach him after (thinking I'm going to spray him again), I'm not sure on how to help him with this fear. Should I try and get a quieter spray or is there a way I could train him to be better with it? Does anyone have this problem/how have you helped it? Thanks

Mine too does not like spray sound, but I find this one is quiet and also more of a mist and she tolerates me doing this. you can make it very light spray too.

Gold Label Flygon LA Range for Horses

Gold Label Flygon LA Range is available online with fast delivery from VioVet, the trusted supplier of veterinary medication, foods and animal care products.

www.viovet.co.uk

 

[lialls]

My trainer uses a pressure sprayer - they make a slight continuous noise rather then a 'spray' noise, my mare is a lot better with this.

Hawksmoor Pressure Spraygun

Powerful pump action, shatter-proof and frost resistant. Includes variable jet brass nozzle for precise application of plant feeds/watering etc. Suitable for use with most garden and household chemicals.

www.toolstation.com

 

[Barton Bounty]

Use a garden sprayer that you pump and gives a light mist, this is how I got Orbi to be fine with them, he used to tremble with spray bottles

 

[magicmoments]

My horse doesn't like to be sprayed with any sprays and is a little bit head shy. He doesn't try to bite or kick, he just backs up or moves away from it and becomes a bit scared if I approach him after (thinking I'm going to spray him again), I'm not sure on how to help him with this fear. Should I try and get a quieter spray or is there a way I could train him to be better with it? Does anyone have this problem/how have you helped it? Thanks

I had this exact issue with a share horse around 7 years ago now, whom the owner said tried to kill them, when they spayed them.
I started with a small travel spray bottle, and sprayed initially away from them, and rewarded immediately afterwards with food. This gets them to associate the noise more positively. Gradually as they became more at ease moved the sprayed towards them, but not on them, then on them with rewards afterwards before moving onto a normal sized bottle, but going back to step one initially, before moving on. I was only sharing 2 days a week, so took longer than could be achieved if every day.
Also got them used to having their excess ear hair trimmed with this process, starting with desensitized to noise, and then sensation.
I recorded this so the owner could see what I had achieved. Interestingly if my memory serves me correctly the horse still wouldn't except being sprayed by the owner unfortunately. I would guess because they just didn't 'listen' to their horse.
I gave up the share after a year, nothing to do with the horse. I was still in the process of being able to bridle conventionally, rather than having to take the bridle apart.
I'm sure you could clicker train in the same manner, but food worked for me.