Frist vet visit - did not happen

dixie · 03-13-2006, 03:36 PM

Both of our horses are due to go to the trainer Apr 1. Called the vet about 1.5 wks ago and scheduled visit to get coggins, shots and dental check done. My mare, after being a "toot" for my husband and running off when she saw the lead rope/halter, walked right up to me and let me catch her. The gelding, who has always been difficult to catch and has bad ground manners, refused to be caught in any way. We spent 3.5 hours off and on trying to catch him. It did not help that a storm decided to blow in this morning

. Every blade of grass that bent sent him skittering off like a evil monster was after him. We would let him calm down, could get close to rub and talk with him, but every time the rope moved - off he goes. This is the first time we have actually never caught him. Of course it had to be when the vet was visiting

Our game plan: the next few days my husband will go out in the evening and me in the morning (we work different shifts) and we will just stand next to him with the rope in our hands. If he seems ok with that, we will just rub the rope on his side w/o trying to place it over his neck. We are hoping to get him settled enough to halter him and have is vet visit on Tuesday.

If anyone has any other suggestions that may help I would appreciate them. You can see from this post why the gelding is going to the trainer.

Thankfully our vet was very understanding. He was also running late due to emergencies this morning and did not mind only doing one horse.

Gottahavehorses · 03-13-2006, 06:02 PM

You could try giving him a carrot or apple slice when you go up to him. While he is munching on that, you can get the rope on. (I assume he already has on a halter.) After you can do that, I would work on him coming to you the same way, rather than you going to him.
Good luck!

**Orchid** · 03-13-2006, 07:36 PM

I'd rather not use food, myself, to avoid future food maulings in the pasture. It seems that once they expect you to bring food, you can end up with a mob of horses on your hands! JMO

In this case, though, for a one time vet visit, I think you'd be safe in the bribery technique.

Isn't it lovely when they embarrass you in front of the vet, or the farrier, or whomever else you'd rather they didn't embarrass you in front of?

dixie · 03-14-2006, 02:54 AM

I tried the bribery technique. We had his morning portion of grain in the bucket and he would dip his head in and keep any eye on us and the rope. Any movement and his head was up and he was off.

If it wasn't so frustrating with the vet coming, it might have been funny. The weekend was great: sunny, some rain at night, not much wind. Of course the day I need to catch the hard to catch horse, the weather is cloudy very windy and eventually rains on me, the tech and the vet.

We are rescheduled for next tuesday, anyone want to place odds on me or the horse

Gottahavehorses · 03-14-2006, 11:00 AM

Orchid is right about the food thing. I was talking about catching them for the vet, then getting them used to coming to you and you not going to them. Sorry I didn't explain myself better.

I can't imagine Shanook thinking he was getting a treat all the time. He'd run me down just for fun.

Good luck Tuesday!!!

03-13-2006, 03:36 PM
dixie Long Yearling Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southwest TN Posts: 1,447	Frist vet visit - did not happen Both of our horses are due to go to the trainer Apr 1. Called the vet about 1.5 wks ago and scheduled visit to get coggins, shots and dental check done. My mare, after being a "toot" for my husband and running off when she saw the lead rope/halter, walked right up to me and let me catch her. The gelding, who has always been difficult to catch and has bad ground manners, refused to be caught in any way. We spent 3.5 hours off and on trying to catch him. It did not help that a storm decided to blow in this morning . Every blade of grass that bent sent him skittering off like a evil monster was after him. We would let him calm down, could get close to rub and talk with him, but every time the rope moved - off he goes. This is the first time we have actually never caught him. Of course it had to be when the vet was visiting Our game plan: the next few days my husband will go out in the evening and me in the morning (we work different shifts) and we will just stand next to him with the rope in our hands. If he seems ok with that, we will just rub the rope on his side w/o trying to place it over his neck. We are hoping to get him settled enough to halter him and have is vet visit on Tuesday. If anyone has any other suggestions that may help I would appreciate them. You can see from this post why the gelding is going to the trainer. Thankfully our vet was very understanding. He was also running late due to emergencies this morning and did not mind only doing one horse.

03-13-2006, 06:02 PM
Gottahavehorses Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northeast TN Posts: 315	You could try giving him a carrot or apple slice when you go up to him. While he is munching on that, you can get the rope on. (I assume he already has on a halter.) After you can do that, I would work on him coming to you the same way, rather than you going to him. Good luck!

03-13-2006, 07:36 PM
Orchid Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 10,072	I'd rather not use food, myself, to avoid future food maulings in the pasture. It seems that once they expect you to bring food, you can end up with a mob of horses on your hands! JMO In this case, though, for a one time vet visit, I think you'd be safe in the bribery technique. Isn't it lovely when they embarrass you in front of the vet, or the farrier, or whomever else you'd rather they didn't embarrass you in front of? __________________ I have nothing witty or even charming to say at this point.

03-14-2006, 02:54 AM
dixie Long Yearling Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Southwest TN Posts: 1,447	I tried the bribery technique. We had his morning portion of grain in the bucket and he would dip his head in and keep any eye on us and the rope. Any movement and his head was up and he was off. If it wasn't so frustrating with the vet coming, it might have been funny. The weekend was great: sunny, some rain at night, not much wind. Of course the day I need to catch the hard to catch horse, the weather is cloudy very windy and eventually rains on me, the tech and the vet. We are rescheduled for next tuesday, anyone want to place odds on me or the horse

03-14-2006, 11:00 AM
Gottahavehorses Weanling Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northeast TN Posts: 315	Orchid is right about the food thing. I was talking about catching them for the vet, then getting them used to coming to you and you not going to them. Sorry I didn't explain myself better. I can't imagine Shanook thinking he was getting a treat all the time. He'd run me down just for fun. Good luck Tuesday!!!