Help! Pigs and horses

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A1fie

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Looking for some tips about how I can help my horse get over his fear of pigs. We have just had some free roaming ones introduced to the land where I ride. The first time my lad saw one, he froze, doubled in size, snorted 10 times and charged for home!

Second time we were hacking he didn't even see one, just smelled it and before I knew it we were heading in the opposite direction at speed!

He is normally a sweetie and not particularly spooky at all. He just seems genuinely terrified of them. Short of catching one of the f**kers and putting it in his field with him till he gets used to it, what can I do?

If I could wear a pig skin to de-sensitize him I would!
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He'll get used to them. We had pigs at my old yard. The horses are always horrified initially, then -as with everything else - just got used to them.
 
I agree with ^^ . We had 4 of the biggest things you ever saw
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penned right next to Bella's field when she was moved into it. First time she saw them it was 'eyes on stalks' and lots of snorting etc but within a week she was totally calm and ignored them. There are sheep in the field next door to where she is now and she rubs noses with them now.

Give it time and be patient over it and suddenly it won't be an issue

Good luck
 
We have to ride past some pigs on one of our bridleways so I know how you feel (actually my boy's usually okay, just a few snorts and stares, he always has to lead the others past).

The problem with the 'he'll get over it' is that it sounds like you only meet them out and about? i.e. their not actually close to his stable / field etc. Some of my hacking companions have ridden past about once a fortnight for two years and their horses have definately not got used to it.

It does tend to be the smell, there was a girl on here a few weeks ago whose horse had turned into a lunatic when loads of pig manure was spread on the field next door. Maybe see if you can get hold of some of their manure and stick a small pile in the corner of his field, so he can at least get used to the smell?
 
That is the problem, I can't predict when we will meet them or even where they'll be.

Will try the manure suggestion, sounds a good idea.

*Wonders what pig poo looks like
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The problem with the 'he'll get over it' is that it sounds like you only meet them out and about?

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I have the same problems with some Lama's that we ocassionaly come across. However, my horse is getting used to them. My philosophy is if you tell them there's nothing to worry about, and ask them to just get on with it - they usually do
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Have read somewhere that horses being afraid of pigs is inbuilt....when horses were wild they were hunted by wild boars!

My old boy never got completely okay with them....he would passage past them and grow to 18hh!!
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Thanks Sally - it's good to know that they do get used to them. I did try growling and telling my lad everything was ok, but he was just like 'whip me, beat me but I am not going near THAT'
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I did try growling

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Ah, don't growl - just give him a pat, let him look and then just tell him to move on. Look in the direction you want to go, not at what's upsetting him and think 'positive'
 
My horses are brought up with pigs so don't have any issues with the squealing noises they make and any smell they give off. We did get a loan pony though and he was frightened of them initially, snorting and running away. We put him in the paddock next to them with the other horses and he has got much better. Perhaps if there's anyone local who has horses who don't mind pigs it would be a good idea to hack out in their company on that particular ride. Your horse will hopefully gain confidence alongside one that isn't worried about them or at least not try to P off with you back home.

 
That's absolutely spot on advice, will definately try to do it.

Problem is I get such a fright too that I panic and instead of being a calm, positive influence, I practically have a nervous breakdown!
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At least you now know where they are so they won't surprise you again
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Is there a steady horse to hack with that your horse can hide behind?
 
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Problem is I get such a fright too that I panic and instead of being a calm, positive influence, I practically have a nervous breakdown

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It's horrible isn't it? But mind over matter really can work.

I came across and man about to jump off the side of the mountain a few weeks ago - his parachute was flapping around all over the place.

We came upon him very unexpectedly - and the horse almost dropped down there and then from fright. I managed to keep calm (despite inner terror...) and he was actually as good as gold. It could have been very nasty.

Same thing happened last week, and he didn't bat an eye lid.
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Jeez! I would probably have expired on the spot, never mind the horse!

I do think that if I do try and concentrate on doing something positive it will give me something to focus on and then I won't actually freeze.

There are lots of horses that I can go out with but most of them are in the same position at the moment because the pigs are so new. Ironically my horse is generally thought of being one of the more sensible ones.
 
I'm having the same trouble as you at the moment. We have pigs at the bottom of the sand school in a field and my mare HATES them! One of the pigs has just had piglets (more to worry about!) and so was in a stable in the yard. We had to go down the yard to the farrier and Tawny was a nervous wreck, she could smell them before anything else. Managed to get her into the yard but she was trembling with fear. Although she settled a bit she was not a happy girl.
I'm going to take her down the school as much as possible now to try and get her used to them. Someone told me to put a bit of Vicks on the end of her nose so she can't smell them but don't know if that's a good idea!
I really want to get her into the school so we can start having lessons again and hope she overcomes her fears.
Good luck with this and I hope your horse gets used to them.
 
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