Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

Gradually, our Ohno (recently aptly renamed "Uno" by new owner Andrea 
Faustino), got better about handling his sheer terror (we're talking PTSD 
here) at having his right rear hoof shod.

Elfta (farrier and endurance rider extraordinaire) and I tried behavioral 
modification (my version of clicker training = clucks + treats for good 
behavior), and desensitization (I mean how many times a day can you pick up 
a horse's feet!?) These protocols did not work.

We finally resorted to Ace (regular dose, then progressively smaller doses 
each shoeing) combined of course with tons of  positive reinforcement 
(carrots, pets, and "good boys") when he managed to resist blowing up.

I will warn you, though,  we often had to dig deep for yet more patience in 
maintaining a good attitude when Ohno'd do that "two steps forward," and 
then we'd get that frigging one step backward just when we thought we were 
making great progress.

So, I guess what I'm saying is, make sure your farrier has the patience and 
kindness of a saint, try the really good stuff first, and if all else fails 
use Ace.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "GarnerT" <GarnerT@xxxxxxx>
To: <ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 7:15 PM
Subject: [RC] training to cross water & other obstacles


> I train the lazy way.  I have several friends with experienced endurance
> horses.   When I first purchased my horse, Taz, he was very green.  I 
> simply
> rode with my buddies & he followed their horses and did what they did. 
> Now
> he's great.
>
> Now if only that strategy would work with my mare who will NOT let the 
> horse
> shoer put shoes on her.  She is fine with trimming, he has never hurt her,
> she's had a lot of ground training; but she WILL NOT LET HIM SHOE HER.
> Switching shoers is not an option; he is an excellent horse shoer.  If I
> can't get this problem taken care of, I may have to sell her.
>
> Any ideas?
>
> Kathy Garner
> garnert@xxxxxxx
>
>
>
>
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Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net.
Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp
Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp

Ride Long and Ride Safe!!

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