grooming issues

[margaretb]

If its not one thing its another!

Having previously been one to enjoy grooming, and who has been known to nod off whilst being brushed, Poppy has now taken a dislike to being tied up, and groomed. In fact she now makes it clear she's not having it, barging from side to side. I am being firm with her and resorted to shouting and smacking her - just once. The flies were bothering her, but the same amount of flies are in the field and she does not jig about as she does when tied up. She hates the fly repellant being put on her - I tend to squirt it onto a cloth and wipe it on her cos she doesn't like the trigger/squirt sensation. I do her hooves, check her over and was going to put her back in her field but oh made some comment about how quick I was to put her back so decided to walk her up and down the drive a few times with me being the boss.

I am not riding her at the moment as she could be in foal, but catch her up every couple of days. Every day we have a good one to one session in the orchard; the ironinc thing is she will stand so quietly loose in the field next to me for ages, allows me to check underneath her and her udder without a murmur.

I am of the opinion she is taking the proverbial but she is bigger than me & I want to be the one in charge here!!

Once again thank you for your patience with a numpty!

 

[Dubsie]

Sounds like she's decided being caught tied up = unpleasant cold fly spray being put on. We had this with one of our 2, so now he gets a sloooow groom, and warmed to body temp (stick in warm bucket of water) fly spray put on and then a treat then let go = more pleasant. Takes a lot longer but is so much easier

 

[Biscuit]

Mine doesn't like grooming, she just tolerates it, and I am quite particular about what brushes to use etc. However, she is such a sociable lovely horse and will happily stand next to me in the field for ages, loves scratches etc. I don't think all horses like grooming, but if yours used to then it does sound it may be the fly spray she takes a dislike to.

Regarding the fly spray, many horses dislike the sound of the spray bottle, as well as the spray. If that is the case, it may help to practice with a water spray bottle while having her in a lead rope; releasing the pressure on the rope as soon as she stands and accepts. If this is a big problem and you don't know how to approach it, a good trainer who is experienced with behavioural training should be able to help you sort it out. There are also fly repellants that you sponge on less frequently than fly sprays, may be a good idea to look into that as well.