A red letter day is approaching, my $200 rescue big, opinionated, stroppy, loveable, bitchy, did I mention BIG mare, now has her first foot trimming in 9 years :shock::shock: booked. It has taken me a while to get to this point with her, I've been so tempted to give up a number of times, but there is just something about her that makes me carry on, even though I know that I was in over my head to start with.
I can now pick up and handle all her feet, she is fantastic with the fronts, a little more touchy with the hinds, but coming along quickly. I have got brave and booked my farrier, who knows her and her issues, to come and trim her, 10 days to D day.
The big question is, although she is good with me, I don't know what she'll be like with him, and being here on my own I haven't got random people on hand to practice with, so should I use Ace on her? I've never had to use it before, and I read that it can make some horses worse, so I'm wondering if I should do a 'test run' with it, I'm not keen on that idea, I dislike giving any sort of medication if not needed.
If I use it just for the trimming then I run the risk of it not working, or turning her crazier than she maybe without it. I also read that it works better to keep a calm horse calm, rather than trying to get an already wound up horse back under control.
What is the best way to approach this?
I can now pick up and handle all her feet, she is fantastic with the fronts, a little more touchy with the hinds, but coming along quickly. I have got brave and booked my farrier, who knows her and her issues, to come and trim her, 10 days to D day.
The big question is, although she is good with me, I don't know what she'll be like with him, and being here on my own I haven't got random people on hand to practice with, so should I use Ace on her? I've never had to use it before, and I read that it can make some horses worse, so I'm wondering if I should do a 'test run' with it, I'm not keen on that idea, I dislike giving any sort of medication if not needed.
If I use it just for the trimming then I run the risk of it not working, or turning her crazier than she maybe without it. I also read that it works better to keep a calm horse calm, rather than trying to get an already wound up horse back under control.
What is the best way to approach this?