afraid of the fly spray

rms0706 · 04-02-2007, 07:02 PM

A horse that I recently got is very afraid of the fly spray. I rub the bottle all over him and when hes ok with that I begin to spray then round in circles we go. What's the best way to get him past this?

doyle82 · 04-02-2007, 07:05 PM

Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Repetition.

He'll eventually stand there for it. My gelding was the same way when I first got him last April. Took me from April until May almost June to get him to stand for it.

Cappysmom · 04-02-2007, 07:12 PM

I agree with Doyle82, my horse was the same way. I also started on his legs and worked my way up. I finally got him used to and then the snow came so I am sure that I will be starting all over again.

Stonepaint · 04-02-2007, 07:14 PM

One thing I did with my boy is fill a spray bottle with water (so you don't waste fly spray) and start working by spraying it around him. I started down by his feet and eventually worked my way up. He was deathly afraid when I first started and now he will stand still for it, although not exactly happy.

NChase · 04-02-2007, 07:14 PM

Fill a big spray bottle with water (so you don't drown him in flyspray!), put the leadrope on him, and spritz him.

Let him circle you as much as he likes, but as long as his feet are moving, don't stop spritzing. Anytime he stops for a second, stop spraying and praise him.

Eventually, he'll get the idea that running away doesn't get you to stop.

--Nancy

AfleetAlex · 04-02-2007, 07:15 PM

You can also use water in the bottel instead so you don't waste a bunch of fly spray. I've heard that is you just spray it casualy around them and not at them the get use to it. You know bring a bunch of plants in, start a greenhouse...

Just kidding. For a while we just sprayed water around my filly to get her use to it. Worked well.

allison · 04-02-2007, 07:16 PM

Yup, I had one of those too. He was a total chicken!
I also started at his legs, kept spraying until he stood, then went on to the next area. You might want to practice with water or something, so you don't go through a ton of fly spray. I also practiced in a stall, so they could only move in one direction so much.

AFleetAlex, sorry posted at the same time. Didn't mean to repeat what you said

ilovepaints1 · 04-02-2007, 07:30 PM

Star was/is like that. I just nonchalantly keep spraying as he dances around and after the first couple of sprays of the season he gets used to it. I dont make a big deal out of it I just act like its no big deal and he usually relaxes. IMO rubbing the bottle on him and stuff just makes him more nervous then hes wondering hey should I be scared of this since she approaching me like its something to be scared of. But on some horses that may be the beter way. Star is just a nervous nellie and If I make a big deal out of something he will make it worse.

SunnyKS · 04-02-2007, 09:44 PM

Lots of time if the fly spray hitting them bothers them than a fine mist from a sprayer hooked to a hose will too. Lot less work for your hands with the hose than pumping a sprayer bottle. (and then ditto what everyone else said

)

Just curious: Why has he recently become afraid? Did something scare him? Did he get a chemical burn from the fly spray or did the spray hit an ouchie and burn?

**taelesean** · 04-02-2007, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NChase

Fill a big spray bottle with water (so you don't drown him in flyspray!), put the leadrope on him, and spritz him.

Let him circle you as much as he likes, but as long as his feet are moving, don't stop spritzing. Anytime he stops for a second, stop spraying and praise him.

Eventually, he'll get the idea that running away doesn't get you to stop.

--Nancy

If he really spazzes, do this starting at his feet, or just around him till he handles that ok first.

LoveLarks · 04-03-2007, 09:29 AM

I have the same problem with my TB mare. But she is fine with a water hose.

But my major problem is that she gets aggressive--her front feet come off the ground.......
Any suggestions??

I got her in the winter so I am just now realizing she has a problem.

irishmusic · 04-03-2007, 09:36 AM

Agree with NChase - start with water. Don't initially spray it on her, just near her. Gradually work closer and closer. Pretty soon she will figure out that it is a waste of energy to get worked up over something that isn't hurting her.

**gbarmranch** · 04-03-2007, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NChase

Fill a big spray bottle with water (so you don't drown him in flyspray!), put the leadrope on him, and spritz him.

Let him circle you as much as he likes, but as long as his feet are moving, don't stop spritzing. Anytime he stops for a second, stop spraying and praise him.

Eventually, he'll get the idea that running away doesn't get you to stop.

--Nancy

Exactly how we do it - now, we can walk out into the field, spray bottle and no halters, and most of them will line up in to become the next "NO FLY" zone

**taelesean** · 04-03-2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoveLarks

I have the same problem with my TB mare. But she is fine with a water hose.

But my major problem is that she gets aggressive--her front feet come off the ground.......
Any suggestions??

I got her in the winter so I am just now realizing she has a problem.

Take her out to your round pen or longeing area. Longe her a little as a warm up (or alot, if that's what it takes) Spray the water around her, far enough away from her that she just gets a little prancy. Keep spraying until she calms down and reward her. If her front end gets light, you have the option of sending her out. As she gets calmer, keep spraying closer and closer to her, until you are actually spraying her. Remember, like NChase said, don't stop spraying until she calms down - then stop right away and praise her.

texagal7 · 04-03-2007, 09:58 AM

I agree with the others on filling a spray bottle with water and spray it right by him and when he gets used to that start spraying the water on his lower legs and work your way up. It will take some time but repetition, repitition repetition is the key.

LoveLarks · 04-03-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taelesean

Take her out to your round pen or longeing area. Longe her a little as a warm up (or alot, if that's what it takes) Spray the water around her, far enough away from her that she just gets a little prancy. Keep spraying until she calms down and reward her. If her front end gets light, you have the option of sending her out. As she gets calmer, keep spraying closer and closer to her, until you are actually spraying her. Remember, like NChase said, don't stop spraying until she calms down - then stop right away and praise her.

Thanks! That is a great idea! I had a total brain fart

as to what to do. I'll make sure I set aside enough time to finish what I start.

AfleetAlex · 04-03-2007, 07:23 PM

Hey, just another tip i just thought of. Its kinda like what others have said, but give her a good workout so she is hot. Not overly, but hot and sweaty. Then the spray will feel good if its cool. This is what we did with my filly and the hose, so i'm not too sure if it will work with getting them use to fly spray....

This will also depend on where you live and the temps. Lots of luck!

04-02-2007, 07:02 PM
rms0706 Halter broke Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: PARRISH FLORIDA Posts: 155	afraid of the fly spray A horse that I recently got is very afraid of the fly spray. I rub the bottle all over him and when hes ok with that I begin to spray then round in circles we go. What's the best way to get him past this?

04-02-2007, 07:05 PM
doyle82 Coming two Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: MA Posts: 1,743	Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. He'll eventually stand there for it. My gelding was the same way when I first got him last April. Took me from April until May almost June to get him to stand for it. __________________ â€œThe wind of heaven is that which blows between a horses ears.â€

04-02-2007, 07:12 PM
Cappysmom Long Yearling Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Georgian Bay Ontario Posts: 1,393	I agree with Doyle82, my horse was the same way. I also started on his legs and worked my way up. I finally got him used to and then the snow came so I am sure that I will be starting all over again.

04-02-2007, 07:14 PM
Stonepaint Halter broke Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Connecticut Posts: 98	One thing I did with my boy is fill a spray bottle with water (so you don't waste fly spray) and start working by spraying it around him. I started down by his feet and eventually worked my way up. He was deathly afraid when I first started and now he will stand still for it, although not exactly happy.

04-02-2007, 07:14 PM
NChase Long Yearling Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,114	Fill a big spray bottle with water (so you don't drown him in flyspray!), put the leadrope on him, and spritz him. Let him circle you as much as he likes, but as long as his feet are moving, don't stop spritzing. Anytime he stops for a second, stop spraying and praise him. Eventually, he'll get the idea that running away doesn't get you to stop. --Nancy __________________ Our Horses: http://www.InglesideSportHorses.com Farm Blog: http://keepingthefarm.blogspot.com/

04-02-2007, 07:15 PM
AfleetAlex Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: United States Posts: 159	You can also use water in the bottel instead so you don't waste a bunch of fly spray. I've heard that is you just spray it casualy around them and not at them the get use to it. You know bring a bunch of plants in, start a greenhouse... Just kidding. For a while we just sprayed water around my filly to get her use to it. Worked well.

04-02-2007, 07:16 PM
allison Started Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kenosha, WI. Posts: 2,133	Yup, I had one of those too. He was a total chicken! I also started at his legs, kept spraying until he stood, then went on to the next area. You might want to practice with water or something, so you don't go through a ton of fly spray. I also practiced in a stall, so they could only move in one direction so much. AFleetAlex, sorry posted at the same time. Didn't mean to repeat what you said __________________ Horses & Horsepower www.freewebs.com/mustangali_/ "...just like computers refuse to understand how I'm feeling today"

04-02-2007, 07:30 PM
ilovepaints1 Long Yearling Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,072	Star was/is like that. I just nonchalantly keep spraying as he dances around and after the first couple of sprays of the season he gets used to it. I dont make a big deal out of it I just act like its no big deal and he usually relaxes. IMO rubbing the bottle on him and stuff just makes him more nervous then hes wondering hey should I be scared of this since she approaching me like its something to be scared of. But on some horses that may be the beter way. Star is just a nervous nellie and If I make a big deal out of something he will make it worse.

04-02-2007, 09:44 PM
SunnyKS Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,516	Lots of time if the fly spray hitting them bothers them than a fine mist from a sprayer hooked to a hose will too. Lot less work for your hands with the hose than pumping a sprayer bottle. (and then ditto what everyone else said ) Just curious: Why has he recently become afraid? Did something scare him? Did he get a chemical burn from the fly spray or did the spray hit an ouchie and burn?

04-03-2007, 09:29 AM
LoveLarks Halter broke Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 60	I have the same problem with my TB mare. But she is fine with a water hose. But my major problem is that she gets aggressive--her front feet come off the ground....... Any suggestions?? I got her in the winter so I am just now realizing she has a problem. __________________ \"The biggest challenges we face are almost always self-made. The escape, therefore, must not be from the trap but from the dangerous process of building the trap for yourself.\" ~Paul Belasik Riding Towards the Light

04-03-2007, 09:36 AM
irishmusic Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 581	Agree with NChase - start with water. Don't initially spray it on her, just near her. Gradually work closer and closer. Pretty soon she will figure out that it is a waste of energy to get worked up over something that isn't hurting her. __________________ It seems that some creatures have the capacity to fill spaces you never knew were empty. Captain Jean Luc Picard

04-03-2007, 09:58 AM
texagal7 Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 342	I agree with the others on filling a spray bottle with water and spray it right by him and when he gets used to that start spraying the water on his lower legs and work your way up. It will take some time but repetition, repitition repetition is the key.

04-03-2007, 07:23 PM
AfleetAlex Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: United States Posts: 159	Hey, just another tip i just thought of. Its kinda like what others have said, but give her a good workout so she is hot. Not overly, but hot and sweaty. Then the spray will feel good if its cool. This is what we did with my filly and the hose, so i'm not too sure if it will work with getting them use to fly spray.... This will also depend on where you live and the temps. Lots of luck!