I wish I'd known this back in 1969 when I had my Irish Hunter. He was a HUGE horse, 17.5 hands with feet the size of dinner plates. He had been 'cowboy broke' in NM and hated men and being bridled. Although he loved me (a then 13 y/o girl) I had to twitch him every single time I bridled him. I had to stand on a box of wood he was so tall. I hated the twitch SO MUCH, but it was the only way to bridle him. Cowboy broke meant he'd been treated very roughly by whoever originally broke him, and it usually involved grabbing the opposite ear and pulling the horse's head down until you cast them (throw them to the ground). This terrifies them. I don't know if duct tape had even been invented back then, but oh dear what a difference this would have made for us both!!! Thanks for posting this. My students will love it.
He had trimmed her, she had just had enough and wouldn't let him finish. She is always a pain to shoe, and only the back feet, plus she is half draft so she is huge and too strong to control. We usually have to put her in a chute so she holds still, the duct tape surprised us too, trust me. And as far as her being "nervous", we treat all out horses with nothing but love, it's just how she is with her back feet.
Well at least the trick worked, but... when you try to pull the duct tape off, lol, that'll most likely hurt to get some fluff pulled off. She seemed very skittish, I kinda thought she might've been a rescue or something, maybe she got abused around the feet or something like that. But she seems very nice, and I'm sure she has a good life with you. :)
I'm no expert, barely know anything about horses but if this works there is a very simple explanation. Her attention is completely fixed on this thing that is stuck to her nose, it feels funny, she does not understand it and it is completely fascinating. Essentially, sice its at the front, where both eyes can focus, she is distracted, visually and emotionally.
+lapurgatio not really. now, thing is, if you watch the video you'll notice that her ears are pointed towards the guy, which means she's listening to him and she's totally concentrated on what's happening behind her. plus, she can't see the ductape; you see, horses have a blind spot of 3-4 ft from their forehead.
I used this on my obnoxious horse, and it worked like a charm. The shoer was saying how good she was this time, he hadn’t known I used the tape. I’m a believer.
Tried this twice. First time, no effect whatsoever. Second time, the horse froze up simliar to using a twitch and she finally Blew Up similar to using a twitch. Then she started striking when we tried to get the tape off. Why won't horse owners just work with their horses(or at least have the training done) and fix the anxiety that causes the problems? Horses that won't stand for a farrier generally have a host of other issues on top of it.
I hear you . Horse owners generally don’t have a clue what a farrier needs in order to provide proper safe hoof care . Far to busy with fads and gimmicks to make up for their non existent horsemanship skills rather than providing proper education for the horse . Classic line from them is “ iv been handling the feet he is much better “ get them to show you what they been doing and they proceed to lift the hoof off the ground a couple inches and tap it with a stone lol . Well farriers can’t nail on shoes like that can they . Best thing to do is walk away because when the horse explodes from under you with duct tape or a twitch on the horse owner just gets another mug while your in hospital recovering from being broken by 600kg of unpredictability .
Shod for 20 years; prior to being in this wheelchair for the next/last 20 years (non-equine-related accident). Wish I'd known this clever little trick, back then. I once bought a kuhaylin strain Arab in Oregon. He turned out to be one of the finest I'd ever owned (I was a long distance trail rider); but came with a problem, right out of the gate. The gal/ranch I bought him from thought she'd do me a (surprise) favor, and give him a good send-off (her daughter's fave horse; virtually hand-raised), by having him shod for me (no-charge/gift) prior to pick-up/shipment. Unfortunately, the horseshoer she used trimmed him (waaay!!) too short; such that he came up four-legged lame. Had to wait an additional month, before getting him shipped over to me (still unshod, at that point). Went to shoe him the first time (I specialized in plastic shoes), and found that his excellent memory WELL retained the aftermath of his first experience with a 'farrier'. He was even more twitchy than the mare in the video, above! Had to (very reluctantly) twitch him. I'd do so, make some progress, then give him a break from the twitch, before resuming. He got better as we went along (sweet, very smart, non-stubborn horse), but I had to apply the twitch repeatedly; maybe a dozen times or more, that first shoeing. I (fortunately) already knew about the underlying problem, in this case; but must agree with a below commentor that the underlying problem(s) MUST be addressed, so as to enable a safe mount, down the line. I worked with him, over time, and by the third shoeing, ~ 3 mo., later, he was a very reasonable horse to shoe. By the next (mid-)season, he was a veteran; and an absolute angel to shoe, for the rest of the time I owned him (as was he with everything else, also; damned good horse!). Just as with applying a twitch (which I hate having to do with ANY horse), I'm sure the duct tape trick has just as variable a response as you get applying a twitch to any given individual horse. I've had one or two where the horse was so stubborn and bull-headed that the twitch might as well have not even been there; and one or two that virtually turned into statues. Fortunately, those half-dozen or so instances about cover the entire panoply of my equine twitching experiences. :-) I agree that the likely reason it works (at least, sometimes), is the focusing of the horse's attention on this strange/unusual/hard-to-figure-out experience (though, with the horse's laterally placed eyes, the area of 'focus' of vision starts WELL out from the horse's nose; likely further contributing to the horse wondering/trying to figure out what's going on). Obviously, this is not a cure-all for every case in the book, but most certainly a good tool to have in the tool box! Grins, and good riding to you!
omg,this actually works?? no way I HAVE to try this on my mare, was contemplating twitching her to be clipped cos she's a tool!! I am going to try this tomorrow
It does work, I tried it on very naughty filly that would plant my poor farrier against the wall being a real tart, put tape on her nose and didn't even have to hold her, was just perfect! Don't understand why, but it worked so I'm running with that, makes everyone's life easy! New Zealand!
Wow. We heard this story camped at a trail head from some folks equine-trekking from Indiana. We've got a young one that's a prick to shoe. Can't wait to try this! I'll let you know how it goes.
Just for your info. I did not bring in the other horse(which is actually a mule Note the Long ears). There is a water trough right where I was shoeing the horse. There were six other horses and mules (the ones with the Long ears) wandering around the entire time. Why would I try to stage this video?? I’m not selling anything, I’m not trying to get donations, I simply tried this and it worked. I only thought a couple of my buds would ever even see it. I had no idea it would be seen millions and millions of times across the globe, let alone open me up to be criticized by dimestore cowboys and accused of all kinds of trickery and voodoo sorcery to deceive people. But hey , have a good day.
@@ericabarrus8854 It's obvious you've handled lots of horses hooves. it's not your responsibility to train every horse you work on. The tape trick may not work on every horse but it may work on some. I've heard of this before but never tried it. Thanks for the video.
Hay works just as well. Spending more time with the horse walking with it on foot. This horse appears to have other issues that may ve dangerous down the road. This is just a symptom. Take a look at the program - Listening to your horse” and doing the 100 mile challenge.
Tasha Pike It is windy, and figure cold due to way he is dressed and shoeing is hot job. She hasn't been abused, if that is what you are thinking, just is a big horse and can wool around. And had already gotten to this end point and just was done.
my farrier dose the same thing at first I was like omg i got a weirdo farrier until I realised why he did it. I told my other horsey friends they laughed and said he was nutts anyway long story short I invited my horsey mates to come witness this they were absolutely gob smacked
You called the horse a hoe, it only knows the word whoah Also, you called him a colt, then said she a few times, then he?? I tried it and it didn't work at all. I think the other horse you brought over did the calming.
It's very odd that the horse's foot couldn't be trimmed then the farrier puts a shoe straight on it - no trimming the hoof, or shaping the shoe ready to apply - just take a shoe and chuck it straight on the horse. If this trick works, brilliant - but the video as a demonstration does look a little suspicious.....
dressageau He had already done that part of it, last thing to do was to get shoe on, and that is when mare decided she was done for the day. Hoof was ready for shoe, she just had decided farrier day was over.
In all respect to u I think u should have fixed the problem initially Instead of using duck tape to just distract the horse. She has obviously had bad experiences during shoeing in the past.
CarolAnn Schraeder It is going to depend on breed, as well as horse, and how much horse has been worked with. Also, surroundings make a difference, whether lot going on, or just a lazy type day and no pressure. Same thing I've done all my life, when holding for farrier, to tap between their eyes with one finger, gives them something to think about. It has its uses, but as anything with horses, all depends on the day, and the horse.
haha interesting trick. I don't really like how the horse is handle though. Kicking the stand around, then the touching on the side in the horses "push" zone . He should be calming with scratching the withers. Then the horse agressivly swings his hindquarters at him,he delivers no disapline, then trys to pull the horses leg to the side instead of straight back. This horse seems so confused. I don't blame him. When he tries the second time he is just walking around from the other side without all the commotion and tapping his side. I bet a feed bag or a hay net might work better and be a better positive reinforcement. I use a reward system and hand feed little carrot bits for good behavior. Bad behavior walk away with your carrots and stand. dont approach until they are calm and well behaved. Any nonsense walk away. You be surprised how quickly a horse will learn to pick up his feet for you and want you working with them lol Like anyone they want to know "whats in it for me?" Show them you appreciate cooperation. Make sure you hold them at a confortable angle. Try a supportive hoof jack. make sure it is under them enough for proper support if they seem uncomfortable move it to find the right spot. Be the bringer of good experiences instead of bad. Bad behavior is often an indicator of pain too. Listen to them. They have so much to teach us.
