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Discussion on Nincompoop owner and scaredy cat horse need help!
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Member:
sodmonst
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 2:26 am:
My horse's former owner suggested using a sports medicine boot on one of his hind legs. He has wind-puffs. Although he is not off at all, last weekend I decided to boot him before a two hour ride.
Generally, he hands me his feet nicely, both at home or on the trail, and does not need to be haltered or tied for that. However, when I started putting the boot on, he kicked fast and hard several times, then bolted across the yard. About 50+ feet away, he realized he was alone, turned, and came back to me. I took the boot off for him. Later, I called his former owner. She says he's "gaming" me and that he never gave her any problems.
He's an honest horse by nature, but when I first got him, he was hand shy, a nervous wreck, and acted as if someone had beaten him savagely and often. Although he does his best to cooperate with me, sometimes he floods with anxiety and it takes a little time for him to come back to himself.
I'm wearing a helmet next time  and I don't want him panicking and hurting himself  .It's been so long since I used my SMB's (12-14 years) that I may not be putting them in proper sequence. In other words, what order the Velcro straps go on and bottom to top or top to bottom. I'd like to apply them in a way that's safe for both of us.
Suggestions, instructions, and ideas?
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Member:
cgby1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 2:49 am:
Hi Susie,
You might try letting him sniff the boots first, then rub them on his body and down his legs. After that wrap a front leg but don't fasten it and take it right back off. You should do that to each leg first front then back. Finally fasten it on a front leg in a soft footing but take it off without moving him. The next step is to walk him adding boots to his other legs and letting him get used to them. He will probably stamp his feet and even try to kick them off but by then he shouldn't be afraid. His initial reaction sounds like fear, he thought something had grabbed his leg. He will still need to get used to the feel of them on his legs. Some horses are more sensitive and need baby steps to accept new things. It never hurts to do all new things that way.
Cynthia
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Member:
cgby1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 2:55 am:
Susie,
As far as order of fastening I don't know if there is a proper sequence, I never had anyone tell me that.
Cynthia
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Member:
rtrotter
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 6:17 am:
Suzie,
If your horse has never had boots on, he might not be used to them or their weight. So, for him it felt like something strange on his leg. I would have someone hold him or put him on crossties or a stall tie and try it again. Maybe try first with a polo wrap or a lighter boot.
Also, if he isn't used to them don't be surprised if it changes his way of going due to the weight.
Rachelle
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 8:19 am:
Susie, at the point he accepted them and was standing quietly I would have left them on at this point rather than take them off. You may have to go through this again however the recommendations above are good to gradually get your horse use to it. It does not matter what order you place the straps but what is important is when you get done they are evenly tensioned around the leg so once applied I would readjust them all to achieve the desired tension.
DrO
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 9:02 am:
I always put the middle strap on first, then the bottom, the top, and the one that goes under the fetlock last. I pull that one up the most. Then I go back starting at the bottom and working my way up to readjust and smooth out the other 3. Seems I read some place that was how to put them on.
I always have trouble with the hind feet on 2 of my horses, they kick and stomp with them on. Once we get to work though, they forget about them.
Good luck, stay safe.
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Member:
sodmonst
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 9:21 am:
Hello Cynthia, Rachelle, DrO, and Angie,
Thank you for your thoughts and advice. I'll put on my helmet next time, be more mindful of his sensibilities, avoid reinforcing his escape reactions, and have a method and a plan. Rachelle, I would not have thought about how it might affect his gait. I'm curious about that.
Susie
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Member:
terrido
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 12:41 pm:
Susie I think besides starting over with the 'desensitizing' of having something on the legs, be careful how tightly you fasten the boots.
I am not personally a big fan of 'SMB's', for short rides the neoprene is ok, but I think it holds too much heat on the leg.
If you can get him to eventually stand quietly while you apply a polo wrap, you should be able to put anything on his legs. ;] And I think overall a better means to teach him it's ok. They're softer yet add support (when put on correctly). Boots are just a bit more convenient. Regardless he should learn to stand quietly to have a leg wrapped, any leg or all legs.
Have fun teaching!
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Member:
muffi
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 1, 2009 - 5:33 pm:
My horses don't like stuff on their hind legs either.
they tolerate front no problem but hind they often pick up the leg and shake it.
I only ever do anything in the back when we trailer - as they are together (two horses) in a straight load. ONCE - one horse must of stepped over and scratched the lower leg of the other horse in transit - So... I never trailer with out. but take them off wehn he hit destination etc. but they always pick up that leg and shake the daylights out of it and generally act like they don't like it.
as for order of events - what ever your horse is used to is the correct way to do it consistancy right? but terrie is right not too tight but then again not too loose either...as they will twist on the leg.
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Member:
canderso
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 2, 2009 - 7:32 am:
Terrie, Great advice however I believe that SMBs are one of the few boots that have been proven to provide actual support to the horse's fetlock and tendons (that is why it is so important to put them on correctly and to ensure consistent tension as suggested by Dr O and Angie).
Polo wraps provide a degree of protection against scrapes and rubs but I am certain that they provide no support. They do look great though! (grin)
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Member:
erika
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 2, 2009 - 11:57 am:
Is it possible there was a bee caught in the boot?
Erika
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Member:
terrido
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 2, 2009 - 12:41 pm:
True enough that SMBs provide good support. disagree though about polo's. When applied correctly they do provide support to the tendons, and leg. Yup even the 'soft' ones.
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Member:
sodmonst
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Posted on Friday, Jul 3, 2009 - 9:57 am:
This weekend I'll try again with all of this good information and advice in mind. Will let y'all know how it goes. Thanks so much.
S
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