How to get a horse used to being hosed off.

I am using our boy Badger (Weaver's Mr.Boon) to help demonstrate how I teach horses to be good about being hosed off. Take your time. Make sure you release (take the pressure off) when they horse is standing still and not moving. Go slowly and build your horse's trust. Do not just work to get him hosed off, work on him feeling comfortable with it.
#Horsemanshiphelp
#hosingahorse
#horsehosing
#horsecare
#bathsforhorse

[@patricialacivita581]

Hello Kim thank you for this demonstration I will use your techniques when I need to use a hose first time on my new horse Mickey! We will have lots of really hot days ahead of us

[@horsemanshiphelp]

That is for sure, you will have opportunity soon. Thanks for watching.

[@lesliemoiseauthor]

Thank you for explaining such vital things.

[@horsemanshiphelp]

The horses were sure hot that day.

[@JT03833]

Same with bug spray, getting them used to sound, touch.

[@horsemanshiphelp]

You got it. Thanks for sharing.

[@peteyCLC]

Hi! Thank you so much! What do you do if you do not have place to spray outside where they can move their feet? We only have a wash stall with the hose coming from the ceiling. I get my horse to stand in there, but once I reach for the hose or start the sprayer, out she goes. I don’t want to cross tie, as you discussed. I move her feet in the aisle, getting the hind, when she walks out and then back in we go, and repeat, etc. Any ideas? Thank you!

[@horsemanshiphelp]

Thanks for the question. I would either set up a hose outside, if that is really not an option, then turn on the hose and spray until the air leaves the line before you bring her to the wash stall. If isleway in front of wash stall is safe, keep her in the isle way (this way she will not feel trapped in the stall with the water ) and turn on the hose and spray into the wash stall for about 3 seconds then pet her with your other hand and do this over and over until she feels bored, then spray it a bit longer 15 seconds, turn off pet her with your other hand until she is bored, and continue until you can just spray it into wash stall and move it around let it hit the wall. At any time if she shows stress back off and move down to the easier level. This might get done in one day or as many as it takes for her to be OK. You will make progress if you end on a good note with something she can handle no matter how easy. The opposite is also true if you end a session on a bad or scared note, she will soak on the bad events and it will take longer to build her trust in you. Then put her in the wash stall and spray it 3 seconds again at a 90 angle away from her shoulder, not towards her head or rump, then praise, then spray hose for 15 seconds and on and on until she is not afraid of it being sprayed away from her. Do not hurry her and give lots of praise. If all goes well then spray her shoulder for 1 second, then praise lavishly and build up more and more, always ending the session on a good note. This might take a number of sessions, but who cares if you plan to have this horse for some time and taking your time will paid dividends in your relationship with her and will effect other parts of time with she she will trust that you will not get her in trouble or dismiss her fears. Please let me know how it goes or if you have any other questions.

[@peteyCLC]

Kim, Thank you SO much for responding! I will work on this and follow your advice. The hardest thing is trying to keep her in the stall and when she walks out, keeping her from getting tangled in the hose from the ceiling, while I’m trying to get her hind, etc. and bring her back. She is a very quiet horse. This is my biggest challenge with her in 9 years after moving to a new barn that has no place to hose outside. It would be so much easier to let her move her feet! I’ll keep you posted! Thank you!!! You are a patient, kind, excellent teacher!!!

[@peteyCLC]

Kim, my daughter also went to CUS, and got an equine science degree. I follow Tom D., Ray and Buck. I also am friends with Paul Dietz! He came to Wi to help me when I got my new horse when she was 5. Thank you SO much again for your time and advice!!! I’ll keep you posted!🙏🏼🐴💛

[@horsemanshiphelp]

It sounds like we follow the same people and horsemanship styles. We have followed Buck Brannaman for about 30 years, we have had Greg Eliel , Paul Dietz, and Kip Fladland to our place to put on clinics, all horsemen that traveled with Buck. We are too small a farm to host him, but he did put on a colt starting demonstration at our place. I bet your daughter enjoys CSU. I loved it, great educational. Paul is wonderful, if you see him again soon say hi to him for me.

[@JT03833]

Would it be a good idea to let them roll after hosing, and before going into their stalls? To avoid danger of casting?

[@horsemanshiphelp]

If you had a spot like a pen or and arena to let them roll while they are loose, that would help them to get some of the water off. I never want my horse to roll while I am leading them or riding them. If your horse just walks around the arena and does not roll you will have to sweat scrap them. I forgot to mention that you only scrape the big muscle masses not over bones like the legs or the hip bones.