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Hi everyone.
I have a 6 mo old filly pony that we got free and we have worked with her daily the problem we have is you can't touch her ears at all she totally freaks out like she tries to bite and rears up. The same with her feet she will literally lay down if you pick up her legs. We have other horses so we know how to handle them but never have ran across this before any ideas would be most helpful. Thanks
Horses are very protective of their ears and legs. You need to work slowly to approach these areas.Quote:
Originally Posted by copeladix
For instance, you don't "pick up her legs" until she's 100% comfortable with letting you brush them, and then she will pick up a leg on her own when you cue her (but you don't try to hold it, this is just the lifting part).
For her ears, get a soft cloth and brush her face and neck with the cloth balled up in your hand like a sponge. Every day let it flap a bit more loosely until you are holding one corner of the cloth and the rest is just flapping about. As you brush her face and neck, the cloth will touch her ears a little bit. Each day brush a bit more near her ears, and then brush at the base of her ear, then back down her neck. Repeat, slowly moving further up each ear. Always stop BEFORE she gets upset. You build on this by making small progress each day, not by trying to do it all at once on a single day.
If she still gets very upset even with the slightest touch on her ears then you need to have the vet out to tranquilize her and examine her ears. She may have an infection - it may be painful when you touch her ears.
For her legs... Brush them daily or as many times a week as possible and also rub her all over. I had the same problem with a yearling appaloosa filly. She would rear at the sight of you touching her legs. I repeated rubbing her legs until I was all the way down to her hooves (note I had her tied to a tree in my pasture while doing this)...
On the ears... keep brushing and rubbing her all over and talk to her and try to get as close as you can to her ears. It will take time depending on the imprinting or lack of she was given as a foal. She could have an infection as well. If she bites she will need to be repremanded with whatever you handle your horses with(either a no, other phrase, etc.) You cannot let her bite you or she will pick up another bad habit. Go slow it will come.
Sounds like she might be afraid or something. I would recommend join up. Take the horse into an enclosed area, unclip the leadline, and send her away. Chase her until her inner ear starts to flick towards you. Step in front and reverse. When she lowers her head almost to the ground, and starts chewing, lower your whip, line, etc. and turn your back. She will come up to you and stand there. If you walk forward she will follow. Then slowly turn around. Reach up and stroke her. Slowly move to the ears. If she freaks out, send her away and repeat process. When joined up again, stroke her ears and run your hand down her legs. You know, the way she is acting, have you had her since she was born? Because she could have been abused or something and she needs to learn to trust again. I would strongly recommend join up
7 years ago I bought my horse from a BLM Facility and she had the same problems. Massage the area around your ponys ears with your finger tips in small slow circles. It feels good to them and after a while you'll be able to get closer to his/her ears build a possotive association with having them touched.
Some horses hate having there ears touched. I have one that will nudge me with her head to rub and scratch them and my gelding hates it pins his ears and shakes him head
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