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Re: [RC] OT-spray bottle problem - Renie M burnettOn Thu, 11 Aug 2005 08:48:35 -0700 "Carol Suggs" <limofunder@xxxxxxx> writes: Be careful and you might want to untie your horse and just drape the lead rope over your arm so that the horse doesn't pull back if he is frightened of the sprayer. For any of this sort of stuff I suggest using at least a 12 foot lead and be in a good working area, where the horse isn't going to bang into something or hurt someone else if he gets startled. This is really important advice; DO NOT make the horse feel trapped by tieing him up! Please remember how you would feel if someone tied you to a chair and then proceeded to throw a snake on you (or mouse or whatever gives you the creeps), even if YOU knew it wouldn't hurt you. The horse is a reactive animal. Don't forget it, ever. I would take a spray bottle with warm water in it, let him see the bottle, step back, and begin spraying the air around me, in a nonchalant way, and KEEP DOING IT until the horse relaxes and stops running around and relaxes a bit. Rub him, and then do it again, each time getting a bit closer while spraying the air. Take your time, each time waiting for the horse to relax before spraying again. Remember, if you STOP spraying when the horse moves, you are teaching him that all he has to do to get you to stop spraying is to MOVE! Now, that's a case of the horse training the trainer! Be persistent and patient; When he stops moving, you stop spraying. eventually, he will realize it is no big deal. renie =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 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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