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  Discussion on Travelling gear
Author Message
Member:
Mientjie

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 26, 2006 - 1:43 am:

I got very nice travelling boots for my mare. They protect the legs from the fetlock to the hocks/knees. How can I teach my horse to wear them?

I also got her a poll guard that comes over the ears. She has to wear this because she tends to knock herself sometimes. She's so tall she has to lower her head a little when in the trailer. How can I teach her to wear this calmly?
Member:
Corinne

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 26, 2006 - 10:56 am:

The travelling boots are very stiff, I presume putting them on and having her stand for a bit one session, maybe the front too legs, then next session the next two, then another session all four having her walk a bit but don't stand to the back or side as they tend to walk like a spider in them, first time I put them on while on the ground and my horse had to step up into the trailer without a ramp we almost had an accident as he kicks those back legs out and spooked himself so I now use the no bows and standing wraps but don't get the hock support you would have. Does anyone know if it would be safe to apply them in the trailer? Hopefully someone else with more experience using these can help.
As for the poll guard, perhaps you can put it on while she is being groomed and leave it on for small amounts of time. I suggest like a fly mask that has ears you stand next to her on either side and hold the bridge of the nose with one hand to tell her to keep her head down, then you slip it over the ears. If you have help or have to put in on over the halter first for a little while while practicing so you have something to hold that might help. I am sure others with have great suggestions?
Good luck.

v/r
Corinne
Member:
Ilona

Posted on Sunday, Dec 31, 2006 - 10:35 am:

Hi Lea-Anne,
Is she comfortable with having her ears handled? You may have to do some desensitizing there. I know some of our horses are not partial to their ears being handled and as such are not good candidates for ear-covered fly masks. They need that desensitizing.

When I had my Rocky Mountain transported across country I forwarded shipping boots to the previous owner to be applied upon shipping. When she arrived there were no boots on her legs. I was not happy. It was an air-ride transporter, and they had a $700,000 horse next to her, so I know they had to be careful with that kind of responsibility. They told me that the boots were more trouble than they were worth. Now it was a fabulous rig and it took 10 days to cross country as they had many lay overs. I do put those very same boots on when I take her 100 miles or more, but they don't cover the hock. I fit them snugly and there seems to be no problem. (they are made by equi-pedic)

Is there evidence that such long boots have a significantly better effect, or did I misunderstand just hoe long your boots are. Just curious.

Enjoy your South African Holiday season.
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