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  Discussion on Severely earred horse
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Posted on Monday, Jul 29, 2002 - 11:16 am:

I've a 6 year old valuable and experienced trail gelding who has had no vices. Recently, while away on vacation, a barn worker took it upon herself to clip the inside of this horse's ears. She must have really wrenched his left ear because he is now unbridleable, thus unrideable. I've been working with him for a week, in his large stall, to allow me to scratch around his left ear. Using carrot pieces held at my left him, I can sometimes, but not consistently, touch his ear. I've read Dr. McDonnell's article, and although I've a fair amount of experience with horses, I've never dealt with behavior modification problems. My questions are about time-frame. He is not making substantial progress with my touching his ear, although I am certain he knows he trusts me. Do I use patience and keep working in this small increment for an unlimited amount of time, or is his shying away behavior going to become more ingrained with time?

Posted on Monday, Jul 29, 2002 - 12:06 pm:

Hi, Linda,
Is his ear damaged in any way? Does it move and hold upright like the other ear? There may be something down inside that is irritating him . . . this would be shown by head-shaking or rubbing or a head held low posture when in his stall or pasture.

If you are certain there are no physical reasons for his irritation, then proceed very casually with him, petting his face and forehead and sliding your hand quickly over his ear and down his neck as if it is no big deal. Holding your hand on his ear or constantly working with it will only increase his fear. If you want to ride during the inbetween times, and need to bridle him occasionally, you can undo the cheek piece of the bridle on the left side and just let him take the bit and then throw the crown piece over his head behind his ears and buckle it. I had to do this for quite awhile to a polo horse whose ear had been wrenched repeatedly for clipping and for roaching his mane. He's perfect now, but it took a very long time for him to allow prolonged handling of his ear. Continue with your gentle "I'll touch your ear quickly and then leave it alone" lessons, and find an alternative way to bridle him in the meantime. When you are grooming him and/or loving on him, just give him gentle scratching all up and down his mane and on his face and just pass over the ear casually as you do it. He'll come around in time.
Holly
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