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Skill
Procedures that you should be able to competently and safely perform on a horse.
LEARN HOW TO
Treat Wound on Difficult Horse
Summary
It is a natural tendency to stop what we are doing when a horse reacts in an uncooperative manner (pulling away, kicking, etc…). Horses quickly learn that evasive behavior will cause a handler to stop doing they are doing. They will immediately engage in that behavior as long as it is rewarding to them.
Your task is to reverse this by increasing the intensity and stimulus as long as your horse tries to evade, and instantly decreasing (or stopping) the intensity when they relax or yield.
There are two parts to this equation: The first is having a handler or assistant who applies a negative stimulus (shoulder roll or pressure with a hard nose band) with "feel", only as the horse engages in the unwanted behavior. If you do not have a skilled handler, you can do this also, but it is more difficult in some cases. An inexperienced handler is far worse than no handler at all.
The second side to the equation is minimizing the pain that you cause when you do perform a treatment. Keep in mind that newly cut skin edges are the most painful. If there is an imbalance between these two sides of the equation, then you will not be successful.
Your task is to reverse this by increasing the intensity and stimulus as long as your horse tries to evade, and instantly decreasing (or stopping) the intensity when they relax or yield.
There are two parts to this equation: The first is having a handler or assistant who applies a negative stimulus (shoulder roll or pressure with a hard nose band) with "feel", only as the horse engages in the unwanted behavior. If you do not have a skilled handler, you can do this also, but it is more difficult in some cases. An inexperienced handler is far worse than no handler at all.
The second side to the equation is minimizing the pain that you cause when you do perform a treatment. Keep in mind that newly cut skin edges are the most painful. If there is an imbalance between these two sides of the equation, then you will not be successful.
PROCEDURE
PROCEDURE
Ideally, when treating a wound on a resistant horse, you have an experienced helper at the head of the horse, and on the same side as you. Make contact with the horse and gently move your hand toward the wound.If possible, lightly touch the wound and withdraw before the horse has a chance to react. If the horse reacts or withdraws, keep your hand there, and have the handler continue to apply pressure at the head until the horse shows the most subtle yield or relaxation. At that second, withdraw your hand (have your handler instantly release the pressure) and give the horse 10 seconds to relax and "soak”, soothe them with your voice.
Step by step, you will ask for more, showing the horse that cooperation means relaxation and security, and resistance means intensity and restraint. Start with what is easily possible and gradually work toward the final goal of cleaning or treating the wound adequately.
When you do begin cleaning the wound, be very gentle and cause the least pain possible. Do just a bit of gentle cleaning, and if the horse accepts, stop and let the horse soak for 10-30 seconds again before continuing.
Continue cleaning the wound (even more intensely) when the horse is trying to evade and pause instantly when the horse does the "right" thing (begins to stand quietly). This shows the horse that by not evading, they are rewarded with the desired outcome. The horse will quickly alter their behavior and become easier to treat if these rules are followed consistently.
TIPS FOR SAFETY AND SUCCESS
Here I use a painful wound to illustrate the point, but this procedure would be the same for any contact that is painful for the horse.Break the task into its component steps. End each micro-interaction on a positive note. If the wound is becoming easier to treat, you are doing the right thing and with time, most wounds also become less painful.
If each time, the procedure is becoming more difficult to perform, you are doing something wrong, and you need to pause and reconsider your method.
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Written, reviewed or shared by experts in equine health
