Benji's Mum

I suspect I ended up with a few dominance probs from my youngest bitch when I used human products on Benji. Sticking to dog shampoo, she seems to prefer the smell. :rolleyes:

Dog-proof it. One of mine ate a chook after being with them for a year but she also picked up a lot in confidence and energy levels around that time, so I was pleased for her that she was feeling better and separated them. OH chases them around with the dead chicken for a while and I think they take less notice of the chookhouse as a result, but it's just not my thing and I haven't the heart to do it.

Good on you for persevering, he's a stunner. The nosebag sounds good. I guess I've tried to prepare them before the vet, farrier or tooth fairy arrive by practicing what will be reasonably be expected of them, until they are comfortable with it so the visit isn't overly stressful.

ok, next questions, what was the vet trying to treat when he wouldn't let him twitch? Was he successful and how did he do it? I'm a bit worried that you're letting him barge all over the place getting away with murder which is all well and good until eg something life-threatening happens and he needs stitches or stomach-drenching and he won't let the vet treat him. Have you got a totally destruction-proof yard that he can't barge thru where you can start calling the shots (once he's pooped out the Lucerne).

If you're not already, loop some baling twine to your tie-up area and attach the lead rope to it with a quick-release knot, hopefully will reduce the destruction by breaking easily if he pulls back or whatever.

I see nose twitching as a last resort and emergency measure only and must be done in the presence of an experienced person. Pinching a fold of skin on his neck with my hand is the next method I would probably try after normal handling, reducing his feed and increasing his salt didn't produce results.

Oooh no, would never ear or neck twitch but I've used nose twitching heaps and if you're gentle, mine didn't mind.

You can try a twitch on his top lip, or pinch a fold of skin on his neck or hold one ear. Use google to research these methods as they make the horse produce some calming hormones, can't remember much about it, and discuss them with your farrier first. I have seen sidelines and hobbles used and I have successfully used a jumper tucked under each side of the halter as a blindfold in emergencies. He's a big boy!

Sounds like he's full of jumping beans like a hypo kid full of sugar. It's not his fault, go easy on him and don't bother getting into any battles until he calms down. Try and limit the grass when you can and NO extras. Plenty of water and a salt lick instead. Be careful. ETA PS Your Ferrari is running a bit rich and might need a new set of brakes.

Obviously I'm joking..but you need to get the beans out of him.

Lock him in the roundyard for a week with a piece of straw for dinner, get his teeth checked and start again.

Are you feeding him anything extra that you could cut back, or perhaps lock him up out of the good spring grass occasionally. There was some good advice on the horse forum Aphra posted, including where they said to get teeth checked. I remember one of my horses had teeth so sharp that the person who checked them ended up with a bleeding finger.

That's ok, that's why I mentioned he was an ex-racehorse. He had had a lot of training and knew better and took the hint straight away. He got me a beauty on the leg once and I cried buckets.

I had a striker and was advised to carry a crop and smack him across the front legs when he did it. He was an ex-racehorse.

oops 2 withers, one poll. One went under a truck (poll), another flipped while grooming (wither) and I think the third (wither) was hurt when caught from wild at Araluen. Wait for the expert to come back.