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Finally got that tricky draft horse to stand for a full trim without a fight
He's a big Percheron named Gus at the Miller farm, and after four visits of him shifting his weight and pulling away, he just stood calm as anything today. Anyone have a go-to trick for building that kind of trust with a nervous giant?
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the_robin6mo ago
Started just hanging out in his stall for a bit before even getting my tools out. Like, I'd bring my coffee and lean on the door, let him get used to me being a boring part of the scenery. Then I'd just rub his neck with my hand, no brush, no picking up feet. Did that for a whole visit once. Next time, I'd pick up a foot for two seconds and put it right down, then give him a carrot. It's all about breaking it down into tiny, boring wins so the big ask isn't scary anymore.
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wendy_henderson216mo ago
My farrier always says to start with just holding the hoof for ten seconds, then putting it down before they even think to pull away.
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