Hacking: pigs!!! Help!

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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Went out for a hack this afternoon; and the people up the road have got some pigs!!! His Lordship wasn't for going past, not even on the homeward journey. He just went all rigid and his eyes just boggled out! And he was sniffing and snorting and making a general hooley about the whole thing, poor lad.

Sooooo, what I thought of doing was to toddle up the road and make a daft request - for a bucket of pigs ****!!! Then I thought it might be a good idea to just put said receptacle in the yard and just let him smell it, then reward him by feeding him.

Anybody got any other ideas? These pigs aren't somewhere I'd go every day, but I want to get him past them! I had to get off him and walk him past there today coz he'd just lost it and locked himself up.

My first pony (years ago) just adored pigs and would stop at the gate to speak to them if there was a pigs field, so this is a new experience for me.

Any ideas/coping strategies welcome.
 
If that was the first time he's ever seen them then he might be ok with time. Try taking him again and see if he's any better, let him stop and have a look if he wants, with you on the ground if that makes him more confident.

Good Luck :D
 
I think horses are supposed to be frightened of pigs - anyway mine hated them. Wouldn't go anywhere near the local pig farm, but as I used to ride out with the girl who lived there and borrowed their box, which doubled for taking pigs to market, it was not an option. He got used to them quite quickly and has never bothered about them since - just a case of pushing on, the same as when a horse spooks or shies at anything.
I'm sure your horse will be fine with them.
 
well hun.. i have 5 pigs at my yard if you want to send your lad over for a week your more than welcome to!

theres a piccie on my website of ellie meeting mummy pig for the 1st time!
 
You're doing the right thing in getting your delightful bucket of **** for your horse to sample! Apparently it's the smell of pigs which horses find so scarey, not necessarily the sight. There are a few pigs up the lane from our yard which aren't always there, but when they are, boy do some of the owners know it! I've yet to find something my big boy is petrified of - he is almost literally 100% bombproof in all situations (there, I've said it now - lucky it's no longer Friday 13th!), but if something does put the frighteners on him I'll be sure to post it here! Bless him, he's a saint :) Now the little boy is a different kettle of fish ..... Piiiiiiigggggggggssssssss :eek:
 
Hi there hun! Mmmm, yep might well consider putting him over with you at some point where there's pigs!!! Don't think there can have been any pigs at where your horse & mine has recently been (LOL!!!) or else he'd have got used to 'em. He's a pretty bombproof boy in every other respect, just the pigs we gotta sort.

How's Ellie doing? Hows the yard going? I'll PM you.
 
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