This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Training, Behavior, & Conditioning Horses » Behavioral Problems » Behavior Modification, Conditioning, Desensitization, and Counterconditioning »
  Discussion on Grooming problems/biting & kicking
Author Message

Posted on Friday, Feb 11, 2000 - 11:39 am:

Hi, I have an 11 yr old mare who I've had for 5-6 yrs. She is a strong-willed type Alpha mare. I keep her on Regumate and have for yrs because she is downright dangerous when in heat. Ironically she is a very lovable horse when you're just hanging out with her. She loves attention, loves being rubbed on withers or face, loves trail riding and is a very pleasurable ride. The problem comes when I groom, saddle or blanket her.
She tries to nip and kicks out. As soon as I finish, she's fine. Mounting is not a problem.
I've tried positive reinforcement of good behavior, negative reaction of bad behavior(which seems to result in worse behavior) but the problem persists. Any ideas? Thanks.

Posted on Friday, Feb 11, 2000 - 12:21 pm:

Have you had her back checked out? That can sometimes be a problem, if her spine/withers are sore. Another problem can be if she has particularly sensitive skin. She obviously has a nice nature, and is affectionate, so it is not a character defect. Probably has to be a physical thing.

Posted on Friday, Feb 11, 2000 - 2:52 pm:

Hi Alexa,
I've had her back checked on multiple occasions.
She's never had a sore back. Her only physical problem is some arthritis in her hocks which is managed with injections and Legend. Other people have suggested that she has "sensative skin". Not sure what that means or how to make it more comfortable to be groomed etc.

Posted on Saturday, Feb 12, 2000 - 8:35 am:

Pamela, I would suggest that you try an experiment. Put away the brushes/curry combs, etc. for a week or so, and just use your hands to rub all over her, and then a rough towel, rubbing and smoothing VERY lightly to remove the loose hair/debris. If she accepts that after a week or so, try then using VERY LIGHTLY a very soft body brush. Once she accepts that, you could move on to a very soft-fingered rubber curry comb. I've had a few very sensitive-skinned thoroughbreds who flinched and nipped and hated brushes etc. This sort of gentle de-sensitisation [if there's such a word!] seemed to help them and their skin to accept the contact all over. It can take longer than a week - one of my horses wouldn't accept anything more than my hands for 6 weeks or so, then accepted the towel for another month, and then tolerated a soft brush most days, not every day, for some six months before one could put a grooming glove/rubber curry comb on him. Now he is fine, but the grooming always has to be very gentle. Perhaps that would help.
Alexa

Posted on Saturday, Feb 12, 2000 - 8:37 am:

Oh, also with saddling - do you girth her very gently and slowly, not all at once? Couple of holes, walk a few steps, couple of holes, walk, etc. That can make a difference - and have you got a nice soft numnah/saddle blanket? Lots of little things to think about!

Posted on Saturday, Feb 12, 2000 - 10:12 am:

Thanks, Alexa. I do girth her slowly, but the other suggestions on grooming I haven't tried.
Funnily enough, I can vacuum her without a
problem. I'll try your plan and see what happens.

Thanks!

Posted on Saturday, Jun 8, 2002 - 4:19 pm:

I will start another thread also, but am wondering if any of you are familiar w/the Sensitive Skin Chestnut? I have one and he displays all of the behaviors above. He's also very ornery [not mean at all] so difficult to differentiate the two!
Stay tuned for a separate thread!
Barb

Posted on Saturday, Jun 8, 2002 - 4:47 pm:

Hi, Barbara,
Never heard of the Sensitive Skin Chestnut. Where did you hear of it? I have a big, meaty, deep-girthed grulla dun with a brand on his right arm. When humans are on the ground he is on red alert. When I am grooming him, he is tense and still, primed for escape. He is so sure he will be hurt. He cow kicks occasionally when being groomed; has connected with my right leg twice over the six years I've had him. (I think he is in his teens.) That's two times too many. Both times were when I was using a horsehair brush on his girth area. He flinches when I reach for the girth. Has kicked two farriers, even when under sedation. I trim his front feet now myself, but let the riding on the trail wear his back feet down (seems to work fine although they look a little splintered around the edges). He is a great trail horse; very sensitive and tuned in. I've asked advice of John Lyons, Josh Lyons, Monty Roberts, and others with no success. Have often wondered if it is just his skin sensitivity or if there is a deeper, psychological reason due to ill treatment by previous owners. (?) Valerian has been suggested by one friend, but I was warned by another that the pharmachology in humans has shown that in some people who take valerian, it can backfire. Certainly don't want that reaction in this dun horse. I really like this gelding and would love to make life easier for him.
Holly

Posted on Monday, Jun 10, 2002 - 10:34 am:

I have had problems like that, but not as extreme. One thing I tried that has worked is taking the horse out and letting it graze in hand while I am grooming. It creates a very relaxed atmosphere and I got none of the usual protests. Then I just slowly started grooming a little at a time at the ties and gave treats for neutral behavior. I can't say it will work the same for your horse so use caution if you try it.
Home Page | Top of Page | Join Us!
Horseadvice.com is a BBB Accredited Business. Click for the BBB Business Review of this Horse Training in Stokesdale NC