I try to be vigilant about de-worming my horses on a regular basis but I often find myself putting it off just because of one horse and the drama involved. Little Bud, my miniature donkey, is so easy to give the de-worming paste to; I don't even need a halter. I walk up to him, put my arm around his neck and stick the tube in his mouth. He always steps back after I am done and gives me the funniest look, as if to say "mom, you tricked me, that wasn't a cookie". Peanut, my Peruvian Paso, will normally try to avoid being haltered but once I catch him he takes the de-worming paste easily. Harvey, my appaloosa, will fight a little bit but I can give him a look to let him know that I am not in the mood and he will drop his head and take the paste. Sierra, my draft cross mare.... drama, drama, drama!!!
Sierra sees me coming with the tube of paste de-wormer and she runs. Sierra normally doesn't run, she doesn't like to burn calories. When I catch her she immediately throws her head up in the air. I have worked with her on lowering her head. I lightly tug on the lead rope and she will lower her head, I can actually get her to touch her nose the ground with just the lightest touch of the lead rope. I have also tried making her move her feet every time she throws her head up, that doesn't work either. As soon as the tube gets near her mouth the head goes right back up. I have tried rubbing her with the tube, thinking maybe the tube was scary, I can rub her entire body with it, even her head and ears, but about one inch from the corner of her mouth the head goes up. Normally Sierra is my dream horse; she will go anywhere and do anything. She doesn't spook, she is great on trails, and she is the perfect husband horse. I dread de-worming her though. I always manage to get it done but it's always a struggle.
Instead of giving advice in this blog, I am asking for advice. I will try anything to make de-worming Sierra easier for both of us. Any suggestions???
Be safe, have fun, and ride on... (Don't forget to vote if you enjoyed my blog.)