How can I get my horse used to fly repellents?

Question

He is really scared of the spray! I think it could be linked to the smell as well as it smells slightly of garlic. The flies are really annoying him, but I just have to pick up the can and he is off.

I have managed to get him used to the tail/mane condidtioner stuff when he is tied up, but if I want to apply anything in the field it is impossible. I haven't persisted much tho as I don't want him to get even more scared.

Serious answers only please TY!

Answer 1

I found the easiest way to do something with horses it to not make it confrontational. If you show them an easier way to do something they will usually pick that way.  I would take a  fly spray bottle and fill it with water and have whatever treats your horse likes in your pocket.   I know - some people say that is ridiculous - that they should do it because you are asking them to, however, if it helps.... Show the bottle to the horse (remember to do this from both sides) and spray next to the horse a few times. Lightly spray the horses side or shoulder. Remember to talk to your horse and when your horse stands quietly reward him. I have a horse that was terrified of plastic bags and we would see them caught on fence posts or blowing around when we were out riding.  I fed her carrots with a plastic bag in my hand - no carrot bite unless she got it from the hand with the bag. Needless to say, she will go up to a bag that is on a fence to check for carrots! You might have to have a lot of patience but don't get upset, just keep trying. You are team remember!

Answer 2

We had a similar problem and found that spraying the product on to a sponge then applying it to the horse that way is less stressful for them. Keep calm and lots of praise!!

Answer 3

Don't tie him while your getting him used to the spray. It makes him panic more to think he's scared and unable to get away which makes him more scared.

Start out in an open area. Remove the fly spray from the bottle and fill it with water. Let him see the bottle, if he'll allow rub it on him. When he allows you to rub him with the bottle start the next step.

Start away from him and just spray it at the ground not at him. If he moves away follow him but not close enough to panic him, keep it the same distance, when he stops moving his feet, lowers his head  or starts l*****g his lips stop spraying and pet him.

Move to the other side and repeat the process.

When he no longer minds it spraying next to him (it's actually the noise that bothers them) then get gradually closer and closer repeating the process of stopping to pet him when he calms down, looking for the signs above.

Then start out on one front leg, if he picks it up just stop until he lowers it again, pet him and repeat until he doesn't care just like above.

After you get that leg it moves on pretty fast from there. At that point he's used to the sound as well as how it feels being sprayed on him. Move on to the rest of his body gradually, being sure to stop often and pet him. Before long (usually after one or two lessons) they just don't care, it turns out to be a good experience as they get to stand and get praise, so they look forward to it.

Answer 4

One of the horses that I ride hates to be sprayed.  It isn't the smell or the spay itself that bothers him, he hates the sound of the bottle.  I've started pouring spray on a cloth and then wiping him down.  He doesn't mind that and I'm able to cover him better.

If he'll do it when tied then do it that way.  Let the field be his safety zone :o)

Answer 5

keep doin it every day and to calm him down give him like a sugar cube and then go for a quick ride

Answer 6

The great thing about fly spray is that it is totally portable.  Take an empty bottle and fill it up with water.  Do not ty the horse, just follow him until he stands quietly, then stop spraying.  With the lead rope in one hand, and fly spray bottle in the other start spraying him, if he moves, just go with him, and keep spraying.  When he stops, and relaxes or stops for more than 15 seconds or so, stop spraying and rub him for a little bit.  Then start over on the opposite side, and repeat the same steps.  Keep working on it with the water in the bottle.  Whe he gets to where he accepts being sprayed with out moving, get the fly spray and spray him off.  I done this with both of my horses, and now they come running if you have a bottle of fly spray, they actually like being sprayed with fly spray now.

Good luck

Answer 7

Don't tie him, just put him on a lead rope and have a spray bottle of water and your fly spray on-hand. Hold the spray bottle of water out, if he starts to gig around stand your ground and wait for him to stop. Once you see a change and he's calm or stands still take the bottle away. Then start again. When he's calm about you taking the bottle out start spraying down near his legs first. If he jigs, same deal. Just continue spraying until he's calm. (Don't use your fly spray for this, you'll be wasting a lot more fly spray then you need to)... Once he calms down about you spraying, stop. The you can start again at legs where he's already comfortable, and work up. Continue the same thing until he doesn't fuss about being sprayed. Then you can take out your fly spray and do the same with that. Be patient, it may not be something you can fix in one day. Always stop at a good point when the horse is calm and relaxed about what you're doing. Good luck!