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Shoutout to the farrier at the Kentucky Horse Park who had a neat trick for a nervous horse
I was there for a show last month and watched a farrier working on a big, jumpy warmblood. Instead of just tying it up tight, he had a helper gently hold a scoop of grain right under the horse's nose while he worked on the hind feet. The horse was so focused on nibbling that it barely moved. It was a simple fix but it made the whole job safer and calmer. Has anyone else tried something like that with a distracted?
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miab876mo ago
That apple juice trick is GENIUS. Does it matter what kind of apple juice you use, or is the cheap stuff from the store just fine? I worry about the sugar content making a horse even more hyper if they actually swallow much of it.
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henry4926mo ago
My buddy's wife runs a small lesson barn up near Lexington, and she had a farrier who always brought a spray bottle of apple juice and water. He'd mist a little on the horse's chest or let them lick the nozzle while he worked. It sounds silly, but it totally worked on this one fussy pony that usually hated having its feet picked. The pony would just stand there licking away, completely zoned out. It's amazing what a little positive distraction can do.
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