clairvoyant?

[nakedescapee]

Here's an interesting dilemma where I need some input and ideas... All I can think is that Homie is clairvoyant.

Homie is wonderful for me when I pick up her feet and I can touch her anywhere. However, she must have been mistreated somewhere along the way by the vet and/or farrier.

Yesterday, the vet was out for fall shots and as soon as I caught Homie, she knew something was up. Any other day, she will stand calmly and relaxed when she is tied. But yesterday, as soon as I snapped the tie to her halter, she started weaving and doing little rears *BUT* the vet was still over at the other barn so Homie had not even laid eyes on him!

She is worse with the farrier... just trying to get her tied is a struggle and that is before the ferrier ever arrives. Somehow, she knows... :eek:

I have worked and worked with her to improve my handling her and she is fine for me. I have even worn an apron and a hat to disguise myself but she knows it's me. I have had other people (including men) approach her when she is tied and she is fine then, too.

Maybe I should not *think* about the vet/farrier when I am catching her, as she can apperantly read my mind. Any ideas on how I can modify her behavior to be calm when the ferrier and/or vet comes out?

[galadriel]

Horses can pick up on our emotions, and if you are tense or worried at all, she'll know that. Then, of course, when the vet/farrier arrives, she "knows" that was why you were tense, and so her fear is reinforced--if it makes you tense, then obviously there is something to be afraid of. It's a tough catch-22.

All you can do is to be calm yourself; tell yourself it'll be fine and *believe* it. If you are very calm, then she will pick up that there is nothing to be afraid of.

If your vet or farrier are cooperative, then you can try introducing them to her socially. (You could even trailer her to see them if you have a trailer--can't remember.) See if they'd be willing to stop by and see her if they happen to be in the neighborhood. Have them come pat her, feed her a treat, and go away. It will help build up her confidence in them.

Most vets and farriers are not going to have the time for such things :( though as I said, if you have a trailer you can visit them rather than the other way round. Good luck; be calm, *feel the calm* :)

[nakedescapee]

Originally posted by galadriel
*feel the calm* :)

Yes, I should meditate before catching her for the vet/farrier. I wish I had a trailer so I could go on field trips to the vet as well as other places... it is on my Christmas list.

Thanks for the input. :)

[Tootsie4U]

"May the calm be with you" Sorry, just had to

[Silver1]

Mear didn't like the farrier herself either, a suggestion would be maybe you can get a friend to put on a farriers apron etc. and have you go through the whole procedure, lead him in, tie him up as you would for a farrier, have your "Farrier" come up, stuff the horse with carrots, and leave.

[nakedescapee]

Tootsie4U: sounds like a winning mantra to me! :D

Silver1: good idea. maybe if we go through it a few times, she will actually look forward to the vet/farrier.

[Ludmilla]

I agree entirely with Galadriel.Must say that I truly believe that animals have the ability to read our minds and emotions .Some are I believe psychic.I have had a couple of uncanny experiences with one horse in particular and both times in the same location !!!!!!! Try to be with your baby when the farrier is there and make the experience as pleasant as possible for you both.Lots of luck and always trust your own instincts when it comes to your horses.You are the only advocate he/ she has !

[Waikato Valuta]

I adgree.

I saw an artical about dogs a while ago. I was a test done in special conditions the dogs were left alone all day but when there owner was nering they could allways tell. there heart rate goes up and they start to look out the window.

There is no sound or smells that they could associate that with o it's just dame weird. Horses could be like that too. although, i'm sure there is an explination as i dont beleive in the supernatural, I do beleive there is lots out there that still needs to be found out about.

good luck with getting you horse good for the farrier/vet.