Blossom's milestone

[Debbie]

This morning Blossom and I crossed a milestone. We did it earlier this year too, but I wanted to have another accomplished before I mentioned it...kinda like not tempting fate.

Blossom's got a severe needle and vet phobia. She decided when she was imported that needles were horrid. Like, beyond blown all out of proportion super scary horrid, and the vet was included with that opinion. I tried pretty much everything to get her over it, and was baffled as I watched horseflies nail her, and I know for a fact, the vets were excellent at giving shots. The one vet, I was stunned especially at his skill, but Princess and the Pea certainly wasn't

Nancy and Zana both coached me on desensitizing Blossom and I began pinching her. You should have seen some of the first expressions. what are you doing? That's rude you know I perservered and made sure it was a non event.

I give her breakfast and then quietly slip in the shot whilst she's eating. I go quickly and make it as peaceful, non event as I can. She's jerked her head, but as she does, I'm already removing the needle and patting her. Knock on wood and long may it continue!!!! so chuffed with my girl!!!

[harveydales]

Well done Debbie. It's so rewarding to see these methods pay off, isn't it? I've learned such a lot since I've had Eve.

[Fi]

Good work, Debbie. Sometimes it’s the seemingly little things that are actually the biggest! I’ve had to do similar build up work to worming with Sammie, and am working on shoeing too. I can understand what an achievement it is!

I remember when I went to visit Zana in Florida briefly helping with one of hers fear of needles, using an ice cube as a surrogate needle!

Getting Sammie at 4 years old has been a huge and fascinating learning curve, the responsibility of knowing you are creating experiences and behaviours that will shape them for the rest of their lives is humbling.

[harveydales]

Apr 24, 2018 19:26:42 GMT -1 Fi said:

Getting Sammie at 4 years old has been a huge and fascinating learning curve, the responsibility of knowing you are creating experiences and behaviours that will shape them for the rest of their lives is humbling.

I completely agree, Fi. It has been the same for me with Eve.

How did you build up the worming experience?

It took me ages to work on the picking up feet thing, mainly because her balance and coordination was hopeless. But we've got there. I'm now working on hosing - she loves playing with the hose with her mouth but is wary of water touching her legs and body but we are getting there.

[Fi]

With the worming, I used reward by release. Started off by putting my hand on the side of his mouth, whereupon he would try to move away or lift his head up. I stayed with him until he dopped his head and was still. The absolute second he was still I removed my hand as the reward and also treated him. Once he accepted my hand on the side of his mouth happily I built it up to putting my finger in the corner of his mouth, then held an empty wormer tube there and repeated it all, then used water and also apple sauce in the wormer tube to eventually squirt into his gob.

After a week or so, I had a pony that pretty much tried to take the wormer tube off me. I did feel rather guilty when eventually it was real wormer not apple sauce!! But was quickly forgiven when I used apple sauce again next day. Now it only takes a couple of reminder sessions a few days before worming and we’re ok.

Interestingly was talking to a friend who has a youngster in with a dislike of the hosepipe and she used the same method. Approach with the hosepipe to a point and as soon as they stand still, switch the water off. They soon learn that standing stil is a good option. Of course how close you go and how many little steps in the process are required are dependant on the pony but in this case he learnt to stand still in only one session.

[harveydales]

Thanks Fi, that all makes perfect sense.

Re the hose pipe, that is exactly how I've been doing it. The lady I've had coming to help me weekely showed me. My problem is being quick enough to remove the pressure at the right time. This has all been a big learning curve for me but fascinating and very rewarding. A lot of people initially thought I was wrong to take things quite this steadily with Eve but they are now coming round to my view after seeing how it is paying off. I can now get her in from the field without a headcollar and have her walk down behind me or alongside me at my pace. With my arthritis I couldn't have faffed with a headcollar and led her over the uneven ground. It has been wonderful to have the pressure taken off me as well as Eve! We can now enjoy eachother's company.

[Fi]

I sometimes think a lot of people feel the pressure to ‘get the job done’ in as short a time as possible. I don’t think extra time spent embedding the basics is wasted.

Sounds like you’ve come a long way with Eve and are developing a great partnership.

[valerie n scout]

Yeh well done Blossom, oh and Debbie too 🤗
Pleased she is allowing you to do what you need x

[dalesnfellfan]

Well done Debbie and Blossom, certainly a big hurdle to overcome.

[tinkeralison]

Well done Debbie, and blossom 😍 luckily we've never had anything yet that is bad with injections, but it's bound to come up someday. Will remember that technique x