Horses that are scared of men

[Guinness]

Anyone had any horses that are scared of men? How did you deal with it? We have a ten month old colt at work that is scared of men, no reason for him to be as hes never had bad experiences but getting his feet done is becoming an issue. He is perfect for me and the other girl that works there, but as soon as he sees the farriers he gets very nervous. Any tips?

 

[kate081]

Maybe get a man to feed him? I had a pony who was terrified of men & used to pull back when tied up for the farrier. My Dad fed her lots of treats & it didn't take long for her to trust men again. It's good you've noticed it early on.

 

[AmyMay]

Doesn't sound like he's scared of men to me - just not really grown up enought yet to cope with the farrier.

Patient handling and patient farrier. There's no way anyone should be making an issue of it - least of all your farrier.

 

[jumpthemoon]

Completely agree with Amymay - he's only a baby and it will be pretty daunting for him. Your farrier needs to have some patience

 

[debradley]

Yep have a pony who is really not a fan of males. She will tolerate some the physio and the farrier, other than that others don't stand a chance, not even my partner. We've had her for about three years now and just can't get over it. Don't think she ever will but she is 17 and from what I can gather it stems from having vet treatment.

Your lad is very young yet so I agree with the others with a lot of patience and trying to get as many men handling him in a nice way should help to desensitise him.

 

[YorksG]

We had one who hated men to begin with. she eventually tolerated them, but she only really liked two, my dad and my ex, she never did like strange men. She particularly did not like small grey haired farmers, bit awkward as that described our old YO.

 

[WFL]

I have handled a couple which were afraid of men (both were rescue cases). You need to get several different men to handle them a little at a time, and as they settle the men spend gradually more time and you are there less.

Like any other sort of fear, you have to gradually desensitise the horse to it.

 

[Guinness]

[ QUOTE ]
Doesn't sound like he's scared of men to me - just not really grown up enought yet to cope with the farrier.

Patient handling and patient farrier. There's no way anyone should be making an issue of it - least of all your farrier.

[/ QUOTE ]

I did think this too, but if he will let me do his feet perfectly there is no reason for him not to let a farrier (considering he is done every six weeks). Plus even when hes not due, and the farriers are around I have led him in/out and he shys away from them.

 

[YorksG]

Could it be that he is frightened of the smell of farriers, the smoke from hot shoeing, rather than of men?

 

[Seahorse]

Axey hates men, don't know why at all. I've owned him since he was 1 and to my knowledge no body let alone a man has ever been nasty to him. Although saying that Axey is generally very suspicious of anyone he doesn't know!

 

[S_N]

B is a bit like that, naturally a bit suspicious of some people - others she just loves though. She, I have discovered, REALLY hates male vets.....