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RE: [RC] Horse with fear of vet - Karen WilliamsI'm wondering how much of the problem is you and how much is the horse. You know the "dreaded vet" is coming the one she "doesn't like". As soon as he appears its possible that you tense up and get a tighter grip on the lead rope. You seem to have a very sensitive horse. If you tense up don't you think she will start thinking "uh oh .... something's wrong" and tenses up too? Its telling that they had no problem the next day when you *weren't* there ..... Think about it. The ride vets aren't going to be giving her shots, so why not get a stethascope and have friends and stranges around the barn practice going over her and listening to her pulse. Make a concerted effort NOT to tense up when people approach her. Karen Karen Williams Spotsylvania, VA www.mattariver.com -----Original Message----- From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Lysane Cree Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 1:26 PM To: ridecamp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: [RC] Horse with fear of vet I had posted to ridecamp during the summer time about my filly's fear of the vet. I had received many responses and encouraging words, so I just wanted to let you all know that I think we finally may be on the road of recovery! I have been working with her alot, playing "vet" with her (minus the injections). There is one particular vet that she was the worst with because she had a bad experience with him, but she has been suspicious of all strangers, in particular vets. This summer she cut her leg requiring stitches and she was only moderately difficult - it was a different vet. This weekend though the vet came out to the barn where I board it was the one that she is really scared of. I wanted him to take a look at her mouth as she has been off her feed. Her reaction to him was instant - she was standing quietly on a lead beside me and as soon as he stepped into her stall, she tensed right up and wouldn't stand still. He left her stall, her head went down; he came back in with the injection, up went her head. She totally got into defensive mode even though she hasn't seen him in close to a year. He was not able to treat her and no one had a twitch around, so he said he would return the next day with a twitch. I worried about this all night because I don't really care for twitches although sometimes it can be necessary, and I had to be at work. While brushing her the night before I tried to remind of the things we had been working on and poked at her neck as if to give her a needle and played with her mouth and her top lip. The barn manager called me and told me that she was an angel and didn't do anything when he gave her the shot. They didn't even have to use the twitch. Yahooooo!!!!!!!!!!! But this time the vet took the time to pet her neck and talk to her and let her calm down before trying anything. I have been telling all the vets to do this or to feed her some carrots, but they are often pressed for time and don't want to take the time. I am so proud of my filly. There is hope. Her fear is always nagging me because of course I can't even think of her doing ctr or endurance if she can't stand being near a vet. Kind of a problem!! Anyway, thats my story and hopefully things will only get better. I knew they only had to give her a chance. Lysane and Mae West =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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