Session Two: Desensitizing a Head Shy Horse

How to Help a Head Shy Horse

Diamond has had a head shy issue that has plagued him since my parents and I first bought him... and it's time I start helping him not be so afraid! So, this is the first day is a series to come while we all watch his progress as he gets more and more desensitized to ropes and things around his face and head and ears.

Round Pen Training

Spent the day watching Clinton Anderson's DVD on round pen exercises... then decided to test where Diamond and I stand!  This video is the result!

6 Week Hoof Trim

Diamond got his barefoot trim done this morning.  For two days prior I have been mixing in Bute with his senior supplements to help his arthritis while he gets worked on.  I do think it helps but boy is he happy when it's all said and done.

Simple fly veil for head shy horse?

If you are new to the blog, Diamond has some serious head shy issues that seem to get worse with age... Particularly with his fly mask now.  So this summer we are going to try something new!  I just ordered this fly veil from Amazon.  I plan on cutting the poll strap and adding Velcro so I can safely put on/take off this veil without going over his ears and triggering a reaction.  

Realize that I am doing this as a way to keep myself safe.  When he started whipping his head around I chose my safety over his fly mask. 

I understand that with a younger horse, it may have been something I could fix with constant de-sensitization, but as it stands, I work with him every morning: putting on and taking off his halter and he can barely do that without reacting.  We have gone almost 2 years without an incident with the halter and I have hope that if I can use the same techniques with a fly veil, he will allow me to put on and take off the veil without a reaction.  

There is one thing I don't quite agree with when it comes to horse training... I believe Diamond's trauma is so deeply rooted that I can't undo it in the few years he has left on this planet.  I have no idea what his life was really like before I got him only 9 years ago.  All I know is he has a great deal of fear.  Clinton Anderson truly thinks that ANY horse with a bad habit can be cured and re-trained but I think the exception are those few horses that have been abused to the point of becoming dangerous... and those horses should probably be put down.  But I don't have it in me to put Diamond down so I work around his issues as safely as possible, always putting my safety first, because I honestly don't think he will be around 5 more years.  (He may outlive us all though LOL)

We have come a long way with the help of my parents and Clinton Anderson's training techniques and some days are better than others but I can still see it...deep down he is terrified something horrible will happen when I put on the halter/bridle/fly mask.  

Again, Diamond isn't a normal horse.  It takes whatever time it takes to get him haltered calmly every morning (I never rush) and I usually do a very long process of approach and retreat until he will accept that everything is ok before putting on the halter... We've been doing this for years and he still isn't what I would consider a "safe" horse.  

But maybe this fly veil, with some slight modifications, will be the answer to our summer flies. Here's to hoping! 

Vlog #4 Coconut oil for horses

Happy Saturday! This short video is about how I use coconut oil at the stables... it's not just great for cooking ;)

Vlog #3 Slow Feeder

Good morning, equestrians!  This video shows how Diamond uses his slow feeder.  See you tomorrow!