Head Shy - Tips & Tricks?

[VickiN]

I recently bought a 2yr old Welsh CobX unbroken mare mainly as a companion for my 14yr old TB. I knew she hadn't been handled much, but I thought fine I'm not afraid of hard work! I have gotten her to the point where I can brush her and she pretty much trusts me and she is always the first up to the gate but if I go anywhere near her with a head collar.... forget it!
I think this is probably due to the fact when she was delivered and they removed the head collar the noseband left a visable impression on her for at least 2 hours!!!

I would greatly appriciate any tips,tricks, help or advice on this one.


Vicki

[CarolineR]

This level of trauma may need professional help, if not just time care and a whole load of patience.

You could try when your feeding her standing next to her, until she accepts you happily there, then just hold the head collar whilst she eats, then progress to touching her with it until this is accepted. She she shows an extreme reaction to this, you'vbe gone too far and go back until she is fully comfortable.

Then following this stage, enter into the field with some treats or something that she likes, and just hold the head collar over your shoulder, but do not attempt to put it on, then build up so you can touch her and treat her for her good behaviour, then eventually you should be able to put the head collar on.

Be very careful and never put yourself in danger, wear a hat at all times. ALso build up to reducing the treats to just a pat otherwise she will expect food at very opportunity and could then become a biter, so it looks like a delicate process, so if in any doubt, call an expert as she has been caused pysical pain from the head collar as opposed to not wanting to come in as she always gets ridden which is easier to cure.

Good luck and be careful of yourself and the horse.

[FreedomStar]

You need to gain her trust in you. work with her a lot on ground work, and try maybe massaging her for awhile until she relaxes enough to allow you to put on the halter. Then see if you can round pen her with her halter on, and try a join up. You need her to trust you.

[Nic J]

I agree with the others methods of gaining her trust and gradually introducing the headcollar but just wanted to stress the importance of getting her physically checked out, if she is in pain you will not make progress.

I bought an allegedly unhandled youngster who although I gained her confidence in other respects remained very headshy. When I got her professionally checked I discovered that her atlas vertebrae (at the poll) was very badly displaced. Displacement in this area can cause pressure on the optic nerve and constant headaches. And even though the vertebrae has been corrected for many years now, she is still apprehensive about headcollaring to such an extent that I don't usually use one, just when necessary for vet and farrier.

So if you are finding that you are not making progress it is definately worth checking her out with a suitable therapist.

Good luck

[sapphiandpoppy]

my one horse was hit at the boarding stable i used to board her. so we got the vet out to c if there is anything in her ears. There was a dogwood tick in her ears but my vet said she shouldn't be acting the way she should've been just over a little tick so he suggusted that she been hit. So i had to earn her trust back with her head. what i did is i take her to the round pen and just start rubbing up her neck and when she start fighting about i just stayed at that comfort zone and when she was ok then i go a little bit more. then i but like a fly mask in my hand and rub it up her neck. Your horse is probley head shy cause sheorhe is 2 and as u said hasn't had much handling, but maybe get the vet out to see if there is anything in her ears. good luck:)

[FreedomStar]

What you should do is take her to a roundpen or sorts, and join up with her. Then start rubbing her around her ears, and lift the headcollar to see if she'll accept it. If not, send her out again around the pen until she's ready to be let in. Keep doing this until she accepts the head collar. The most important thing is to not let her feel intimidated by you. By sending her out around the pen again when she does not accept the headcollar, you are saying that you aren't going to force her to wear the headcollar, but if she doesn't accept it and shies away, then she's got to stay away until you are ready to let her in.

[VickiN]

Thanks for all the advice, I finally did it!!!
I spent the whole afternoon with her and a head collar, when it came to feeding her in the evening I had someone hold the head collar over the bucket so she had to put her head into it while I reassured her and gradually she just accepted it. I chuffed to bits after the week I have been having with my TB Oliver which has been a complete pain! 5 new horses have been put in the paddock next to him and I think a power struggle has broke out and that includes me!

[FreedomStar]

congratulations on getting your horse to accept the head collar!

[I_Love_Ponies]

You should try letting him smell your hand and try slowly touching him with your hand then try the same thing with a bridle and halter.




Megan:)