Help with headshy horse

[Roasted Chestnuts]

I was wondering if anyone could suggest how I could teach my mare that just because I am scratching my head doesnt mean that she should freak out and do mini rears on occasion

She has had some NH done with her (not by me and more the P technique which i will state now that I HATE) and seems to feel that a rope that wiggles is to be feared and will run backwards and rear at it (been very windy up here of late) so leadropes swinging from the fence hook and the lungeline being caught by the wind is very upsetting

I personally havent been bashing her about the head, the worst she has had from me is a rap on the muzzle for a bad biting habit she developed but that has long since stopped now she knows its not on. She has come to me like this but recently it has gotten worse and even the sharer for my other horse has noticed it when she has went to stroke her.

I have had my horses on a farm by themselves and now its just me and my sharer at her place so nobody could have been bashing her in the interim.

Just looking for other opinions on how to sort this out I will state that i am not an NH follower but willing to look at anything as long as i dont have to give out copious amounts of money

 

[LouS]

Just a thought, but have you had a good physio check her out? My mare came to me very, very headshy and it turned out she was very sore around her poll (amongst other places, very messed up little horse). She's still headshy but so much better, it just takes a lot of time. She pulls back when I brush her face but I just persist and she relaxes eventually. She's almost 100% with bridle/headcollar now and she's fine with my hands.

Just worth having her checked out. Good luck .

 

[jroz]

Is she headshy when you go to brush her face, or trim her bridle path, or bridle her?

One thing you could do, is knead her topline with your hands. Start at her withers and work your way slowly up to her poll, and back down again. Each time when you get up to her poll, hang around that area a little longer with your hands. Once she gets comfortable with that, try giving her a scratch between her ears. Next you could run your hand up over her ear.

When haltered, you could also place your left hand to the side of her halter, and cupping your hand over her nose if possible while working your way up to her poll with your right hand. Then work on applying some pressure there while gently rocking her head side to side as she hopefully drops her head down. At the slightest give, release pressure and give her a pat and/or treat. Eventually she should be able to drop her head right down so you can give her a scratch or ruffle her forelock.

If you can get past all that stuff, then try standing with her while a friend walks around you with some of her scary nemesis objects, like the swinging lead rope. Start far away and gradually get closer.

 

[mystiandsunny]

Unless there's a physical reason, desensitizing should work, but it will take as long as it takes I'm afraid. She's in a new place so is likely to go back several steps for a little while as she settles, so do take that into account. Then when you're ready, start in her comfort zone, stroking/brushing her (I find brushing is easier 'cause you're concentrating on that and don't give off any 'unsure' vibes). Brush in the comfort zone for some time, then begin to edge into her amber zone (where she tenses but doesn't do anything), just a stroke edging in, then out again, in, then out again. Continue until her comfort zone has effectively been extended, then stop there. The next day or later that day, repeat. It could take a week to get a permanently extended comfort zone, or two sessions - depends on her - but over time you will eventually be able to touch her everywhere without problems.

I'd also do lots of groundwork with desensitizing to the wiggling rope etc - again do something she is happy with, and just have a rope blowing on the fence. Gradually edge closer to the rope, only so far as she gets a little tense, then away, then closer until she stops noticing it.

There are other methods - this is just what I use. Many roads to Rome and all that!