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  Discussion on Using a lip chain
Author Message
Member:
mandrie

Posted on Monday, Jun 9, 2008 - 6:24 pm:

Hi all,
I need help in applying a lip chain. My gelding had two sacroids removed from his ear, I need to be able to check for regrowth. My vet suggested using a lip chain, but I am not having much luck keeping it on the gums and under the lips. Robbie's not mean, but has a fairly agile upper lip (only horse in the barn to have figured out how to open the spring loaded stall doors), and gets the chain over his lip before I have even thought about putting pressure on it. I read the article, but still have questions. Any suggestions welcome.
Member:
scooter

Posted on Monday, Jun 9, 2008 - 7:37 pm:

Hi Marie, I have never used a lip chain, a chain over the nose has always been enough the few times I have needed it.

Are you talking about a twitch or a stud chain over the gums? If you are talking about the chain over the gums, be sure you know how to apply it and use one, they can be pretty severe in uneducated hands.
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jun 9, 2008 - 8:46 pm:

Marie have you any experience with using negative reward as a learning tool? I really think either a nose or lip chain needs an experienced hand and unless you are very comfortable with it you might ask for a demonstration. Your post suggests that one on one help might be best.
DrO
Member:
ajudson1

Posted on Monday, Jun 9, 2008 - 10:50 pm:

Marie,

You'll be much farther ahead in the long run if you just take your time and work up to checking his ear unrestrained.

But if you want to pursue using the chain, here is what I've done that worked when I had to treat a sore ear:

I used a stud chain, and put a hook on the end that didn't have one. Putting a 2 ended hook on each end of a large dogs choke chain will work too. I hooked one end of the chain to the upper halter ring after twisting one twist around the check of the halter. I put the chain under the horses lip, and then brought the other end/hook through the lower halter ring, and up on the halter and hooked it. Depending on the horse, and length of chain, I may have to run the chain thru the upper ring and back down and hook it on the lower halter ring, or attach another hook, or make a loop out of string, whatever works. I am making it sound more complicated than it is but the idea is the chain is there under the upper lip of the horse, and you just get it snugged up, (no bloody lips! just tight enough so it don't fall out) and step back, let the chain hit the spots that release the feel good sleepy time hormones, and the horse will relax.

I am assuming this is what you are aiming to do? You did not say using a twitch which is different. Or is a twitch a lip chain? I can never get one of those to stay on either, and you need 2 people to do that in my limited experience.

I don't agree with DrO that what I described is a "negative reward" tool. If we were talking about the same thing. It can BECOME very negative if you don't do the rest of the training that will get him to accept your touch on his ears.

I do agree with DrO that having some one show you would be best as my long winded instructions probably aren't the best!

One last thought, do a web search for the Stabilizer. That may be of some help for you.
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