Re: RC: "Sleepy" trick?

[Bette Lamore <woa@stormnet.com>]

Hi Kimberly 
I use a rubber hose (about 1/4 inch diameter, flexible-- the kind the
vet uses) and put it over the upper gums (like a humane lip chain) and
tie it off on the halter to put mild pressure on the gums. Michelle
Kaplan taught me that little tranquilizing trick and it really works.
Reportedly releases endorphins, according to Michelle. Whatever it does,
my horses are definitely calmer and do not appear to be in any
discomfort.
Bette

"guest@endurance.net" wrote:
> 
> Kimberly aliakey@yahoo.com
> Has anyone literally "put their horse in sleepy mode" by loosely sticking
> a lead rope through the horse's mouth, like a bit?  I did it out
> of some strange desperation when the farrier was working on my
> horse, and was suprised... she went from "cranky grumpy mare" to
> a sleepy old fart --- almost instantly.  All I did was run the
> thick, nylon lead rope through her mouth to give her something to
> occupy her mind rather than focus her crankiness on the farrier *trying*
> to work on her (It's hard to work on her "behavior" problems when
> she she acts like an angel while *I* work on her feet).  The farrier
> always seems to get the "Mr. Hyde" part of the mare, unfortunately.  Yes,
> I discipline her (the farrier is very patient) and pay the farrier extra
> for his troubles, in case you were wondering :-).  For some reason, he still
> puts up with her, LOL!
> 
> I was just curious if anyone knows of something that would trigger
> this "sleepy, pacified" mode with the lead rope.  I'm going to try
> this one-rat research a few times more to see if it was just a fluke,
> or if I really have a cool trick to get her to cooperate with her trims.
> 
> Thanks in advanced!
> 
> Kimberly
> 
> FYI:  She is not a "mouthy" mare, and is alpha in her personality (second highest
> in her pasture rank).  She's
> never cranky with me, but doesn't care much for anyone else, horse or human.
> She's not a mean horse (never bites, kicks, or threatens humans in any way) ---
> just is particular about her human/horse buddies.
> 
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-- 
Bette Lamore
Whispering Oaks Arabians, Home of 16.2hh TLA Halynov
(yes, REALLY!)
http://www.arabiansporthorse.com