Headshy with water? Help!

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Stroppy Mare

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How do I get my horse over being headshy around water/sponges? She's fine to brush her head, and always careful to not over fill the sponge with water so it doesn't run down her face at all.
 
This is quite common, use warm water and go slowly. Don't slosh it straight on the front of her face, work up from the cheek.
 
I'm working my way through the same with a youngish horse who hates his face being washed or brushed. I have figured out that after washing him off and sweat scraping, I then towel him off (because I'm soft) and he loves a good towel rub all over. Then I use the damp towel to rub over his face, ears, behind the ears and nose. He would never let me do this with a brush. I'm generally making progress in touching and rubbing his head, as he now enjoys the damp towel bit. Might help.
 
I use flannels too and really rub the front of his face which he loves as normally I tell him off for rubbing against me so its a win win situation :D
 
I dont think any horse is totally not head shy with the feeling of water running down their face behind their ears, use a sponge with less water in.
 
Yep I do have this problem too, when I first got my horse he was totally head shy so I guess the fact its just water now is really good. Its funny as after a shower he looks clean everywhere except his face little monkey
 
putasocinit said:
I dont think any horse is totally not head shy with the feeling of water running down their face behind their ears, use a sponge with less water in.
Click to expand...

You need to meet mine - I can hose his head, and he doesnt flinch! Took a bit of training, but it makes life much easier!

OP-I've had several that don't like getting their heads wet, and have found that starting at the nose end and working up is generally more successful than diving straight for the sweaty ears.

Also - don't pander to him too much - sure, he doesn't like getting wet, but he has to - or he's going to be scurfy and uncomfortable. Without being hard on them, I insist on manners from horses who resist face washes. I don't make a drama out of it, and they soon learn that face washing is going to happen - whether they like it or not.

Tip: Keep the sponge on them while they're objecting, and take it off when they stop fussing - and it's easier if you're at horse head height - I stand on the mounting block if I've got a tricky one.
 
Hi,
One of mine has this issue.
I use a sponge squeezed almost dry and start on the front of his face...but the sponge is small....fits in my hand...and interestingly he hates to have his face washed with a headcollar on .....and is much more amenable if he is allowed to stand headcollar-less in his stable whilst I wash him.

Best of luck
Bryndu
 
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