halter problems

[staci]

I recently went to a stable for trail riding to help excerise some horses for this lady and there is this one horse there who throws her head and stomps around if you try to take the halter off ,the owner says she doesn't like anything to touch her ears.I think that there is a problem there and this lady just deals with it but there has to be something that could help this horse relaxe and understand that it doesn't really hurt.anybody have any ideas?

[Rebecca]

I have just posted a reply under 'hoof help' in the Horse Care section about a method I have read about called Tellington TTouches. Like I said there, I have no personal experience of it, but I know that there was an exercise for gentle ear massage which was designed for this problem. If you're interested then look up my other post, and I'd be glad to know whther it helps if you do decide to try it.

Rebecca

[Debi]

It may also be a medical issue. There is a horse where I ride who gets an ear fungus in damp weather. Because of the fungus, her ears are sensitive and she eats to have them touched. The owner designed a bridle with a browband that detaches at the side so that it can be put on and taken off without touching the ears.

[Charlotte]

The horse may also have ear mites, have a problem with the poll - there are many reasons for her behaviour. If she was my horse, I would investigate the problem with my vet!

[olympicprincess]

If you can, try unclipping the halter and sliding it down off her head rather than over her ears. That's the way it's really supposed to be done- hardly anyone does it anymore!

[Anne]

I read about Tellington TT in one of the horse magazines Rebecca, and bought a book about this method .. it's fascinating stuff isn't it? I tried the ear massage on a horse I used to ride who didn't like her head being touched, and it was much easier to get her bridle on if I did this first ... she was still quite head-shy, but it wasn't quite as frustrating, as she seemed to relax and quite enjoy her ears being stroked in the way TTT described.

Wonder if my husband would be willing to try it on me :)

Incidentally, did you notice Charlotte's suggestion about builders tabbards? I'm going to check on it Monday ... thanks again Charlotte :)

Anne