Overcoming the fear of fly spray

[zoesophie]

OK so after reading some very helpful threads on here last night was the time we decided to start oscar on his road to loving fly spray being sprayed on him

We think its a combination of the noise and the sensation of the water hitting him because hes so ticklish

So, sister took him in round pen with lunge line and started slowly by showing him the bottle and then everytime he stood still for her to stroke him with it in her hand she praised him. It then progressed to squirting it by the side of him which, in the main he tolerated but did stamp his feet like a child.

However, a couple of times he trotted off round her for a circuit. Not rushing, but you could see from his face he kind of needed time to process what she was doing with him and then he came straight back to her.

So, question to experts, should she let him trot off or hold him so he doesnt?

Any other tips welcome

we are also going to try the similar method with clipping

Sorry that a bit long

 

[JSL]

What about spraying it onto a cloth or a sponge and then applying it to him? That might be easier for him to tolerate than a direct spray onto him.

 

[zoesophie]

Yeah we normally do that but I want to try and get him over this because the next step is clipping. Also hes so big it takes ages to get him covered with a sponge

 

[joanne1920]

i would let him trot off, give a treat for returning, let him see the bottle and repeat spray if he doesnt move reward, if he moves waits till he comes back or stands and then reward. easier said than done though!

 

[zoesophie]

Ah ok thanks for the advise

We will get there in the end

 

[henryhorn]

We have found all of ours will eventually tolerate a pump action plant spray, they are silent and send a fine mist out.
The secret is to just keep hold and keep spraying as they go round you in a circle, (don't do it on concrete but in the stable) I aim at their shoulder with just plain water until they allow you to spray all over. I've never failed with this method, you just have a lunge line on plus a bridle and follow them round as they move.
Even the scaredest types twig there is no escape from em and my spray, and give in!

 

[equity]

Hi, This may sound silly but I believe some horses fear fly spray because is sounds like the noise a snake makes, and in nature you don't stick around when you hear a snake. I don't know how to get around it except with great patience until the horse understands that you are not trying to attack it with a snake.