petrified of a rug

tania01

tania01

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i brought a miniature shetland few mouths back who is 5 years old he was neglected to say the least well he is coming along fine slowly only problem im having is he is petrified of a rug guess he never had one on i tried few things but just dont want to frighten him anymore then he already is and im a big softy and cant leave him without one on in winter as its also very open where i am any ideas
 
Get him used to things small, like a towel at first. Roll it up in your hand and put it on gently, don't just throw it at him. As long as you are calm and only open it up when he is good and ready, he should soon become used to it but it might take a while to practise.
 
My 5 yo was like this and he still has those odd looks occasionally I fold it as small as possible and dont hold it up high so he does not see a big scarry rug coming at him.
 
I have a section A the same, the towel thing is a good way of getting them used to it, and I still have to fold the rug out on him, the good old BHS exam way!!
 
I have had a rug problem with my hunter! He is 19 so pretty used to being rugged up. I bought him a summer turn out rug and tried to put it on in the field. He went banana's. It has taken since July to persuade him that the rug isn't a monster. I've renamed him Mr Snorty Pants because he snorts like a trooper at the very sight of the offending blue rug. However he is quite happy with his bright purple stable rug. Bizarre things ponies!!
 
As everyone says start slowly, but be persistant.

Do you have spare rugs? Any sort will do. Hang them up. Carry one around and just put it down beside him, put one in the stable, over the gate, over the fence, by his hay, hell, feed him on a rug!
 
thank you everyone i have tried the towel he just so frightened he loves a good brush he is ok with a tea towel anything bigger he bolts off dont know whats happened to him bless him i will keep trying
 
i had a pony that got caught up and tangled in a fly rug. i could not get a rug near him after that he would buck all around the stable if i put one on him. i started leaving it over the stable door and he would knock it of then when that stopped i hung it up in the stable and he would trash it. after folding it up and laying it over him i managed to gt one on him but never with leg straps he hated them. it took me about 6 months in total but it worked
 
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