[RC] RC: Suzy and sensative ear problem - Carol Suggs
First remember this: TAKE THE TIME THAT IT
TAKES. This is an issue that may take awhile for him to gain your trust
on. Something that you may have to work on every day. Ears are so vital to a horse and one of the very sensative
areas that they protect. Pratice the approach and
retreat method. Do not have him tied while
you try to do this. Be in a nice open area.
While under halter have the lead rope drapped over
your left arm and with the right arm work on petting and gently squeezing
his neck. As you move up the neck you can put a little pressure on the
lead rope, but not much. The idea is that you quit rubbing his neck
immediately when he relaxes his neck and head or gives to you. Then give
him a break and start right back where you left off. Eventually working
your way up his neck. All the while you retreat (quit rubbing) as soon as
he "gives" (relaxes). After awhile you will make it to the base of his
ears, use the same method until he tolerates it. Then you can brush your
hand over his ear and down his face as if to simulate putting a halter off and
on. Once he does one side good then move your had to the other
side.
You will have to be very consistant and I would
advice that only you handle the horse and not let anyone else handle him while
you are working thru this issue.
We have a horse that is extremely nervious about
his ears. You can halter him and bridle him but he won't really tolerate
you taking your time to do it. Any excess time spend up by his ears and he
goes bonkers. But with the method that I outlined above he has done way
better. My goal is to eventually clip his ears, but we aren't there
yet.
Good Luck and remember never to be in a hurry when
training, you have to have more time than the horse has because they don't work
on a schedule like we do.
