Fly-spray help!

[rideonawhim]

I own an almost 4y/o Standardbred filly, fresh off the track. She has been great in most aspects, other than her fear of being sprayed with a spray bottle. I know that I can wipe the spray on her with a cloth, and that is what we are doing now, but ideally I would really like to have her comfortable with being sprayed.

So far, I have tried rubbing

Comments

[shaylagirl]

I personally got a water bottle, filled it with water, put my colt on a long lead line, and just started spraying it away from him. He'd panic and move, and I just kept spraying and spraying. I never stopped until his feet stopped moving.

Yes, I got that from Clinton Anderson, but, I can now spray him down anywhere. Same with the hose. I started it away from him, let him panic and keep circling until finally he stopped. Then, moved it closer. Let him panic until he finally stopped. Moved it closer. Lather, rinse, repeat.

She's awfully cute! Good luck with her!!

[thepartyline]

I pretty much did this with my mare. I just never let up.

[rideonawhim]

Okay, thanks! Sounds similar to what I've been doing, except to spray continually. I will give it a shot!

[candysgirl]

That's exactly how I got my Arab colt to quit losing his mind over getting fly sprayed. When he quit moving his feet, he'd get a pat, told he was a good boy and got to be left alone for 30 seconds or so. Then it was back to the spraying.

One afternoon and he realized its easier to just allow himself to be sprayed than it is to fight.

[infinitlight]

She's adorable!

I used an empty flyspray bottle with my old gelding to get him used to the sound, first. Then when he was okay with that I introduced spraying him with water. He gradually got used to it that way.

[rideonawhim]

Thanks! I will try that.

[rideonawhim]

Believe it or not, this horse doesn't like treats! Occasionally she will eat one or two, but she doesn't like them other than that. I could use small amounts of grain though I guess.

[rideonawhim]

Honestly, I don't think she was ever exposed to them before we got her. She is only 3 and was on the track, so, knowing her owner and trainer, I don't think she got any. Not too much of a bad thing though. I won't have to worry about her being mouthy over something she doesn't want ;-)

[thehomicidehoe]

Spray-Food-Spray-Food-Spray-Food and so on and so on

[greyskyridge]

Just spray.

Keep your attitude a matter-of-fact, non-aggressive, "Oh, get over yourself; quit being a ninny," instead of "Oh pookums it's ok, it's just this wee bottle won't you please stand?"

Sure, food is ok, but only AFTER you can spray the whole horse on a ground tie.
Spray food spray food without the horse standing still will create a monster.

[greyskyridge]

Also, don't just nicely let her run around you in circles as you spray, waiting for her to eventually get over herself.

EXPECT HER to stand.

Keep the leadrope in one hand, and if she takes a step forward (while you continue to spray), give her a quick, non-aggressive pop so that she takes that step back again and say, "Stand!"
If she tries to 'run over' your "Stand!" command this is unacceptable whether you are doing something she likes or not. Whenever she takes a step, immediately take action so that her feet go back where they were, without stopping your spraying

[coneycat]

I'm just going to remark in support of these comments--my girl Mitzi seems to have a vivid imagination, and left to "get over it" on her own, she probably won't. She'll just keep on zooming around getting more and more worked up. It actually appears to be a relief to her when you say firmly, "Whoa, stop being so silly." It's like she believes you when you tell her it's all in her head.

The "whoa" and "back up a few steps to reset your brain" works extremely well on Mitzi. Maybe work on that, to make sure you've got it firmly in your mare's mind, before you go back to the spraying lessons. Among other things it gives the horse something clear and reassuring to do when she gets nervous.

I can now walk up to Mitzi when she's loose in her paddock and spray her all over, if I need to, and she doesn't bat an eye.

[creseis_acicula]

what happens if the horse has a legitimate melt down and hurts themselves and/or becomes a danger to you? I think this approach is fine for a lot of horses, but sometimes you have to take things a bit more slowly and use a system of rewards with some horses. It's not always about becoming alpha through aggression.