Pony terrified of water! Advice needed.

[Montyforever]

Ive had ponies scared of water before but theyve generally got over it quickly once they understand its not as scarey as they think! But Mysti is terrifyed, ive tried every technique i can think of but she wont let me near with a hose, bucket even a damp sponge!! Anyone thats found a way to cure a deep water phobia like id reaally reaally apreciate some tips! Ta in advance.

 

[PoppyAnderson]

What does she do if you do go near her with the hose pipe?

 

[Montyforever]

What does she do if you do go near her with the hose pipe?

She flips! Will do anything to get away, nearly broke her neck trying last time :S

 

[claireelizabeth]

I just watched a clip on YouTube of someone getting a horse used the the hose, might give you some ideas? I haven't got the link but just try searching for desensitizing horse to hose.

 

[Lanky Loll]

How old is the pony? Is it a baby that just hasn't learnt what water is yet or is it an older more established pony?
One of our old pony's came to us at 19 - a flea bitten grey and you can imagine the colours he used to turn himself If you tied him up he'd hang back and clear off, if you had someone hold him he'd drag them off at a 100 miles an hour. We eventually worked out that if I held him I could wash him off on my own - whether with hose or sponge. It makes it harder for them to evade you as you can follow them more easily, and for some reason he never tried to bolt like he would if someone else held him - don't really know why
If it's a baby then just keep really quiet, all of ours have to be washed off after exercise because of the harness so they get started off with the hose on really lightly and usually being held in hand rather than tied or sometimes we use cross ties. All of ours enjoy bathtime Mags especially as she plays with the water and shoves her head into the hose.