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the fly mask, it is NOT going to eat you

2K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  kitten_Val 
#1 ·
Today I noticed that the flies are coming out.
Today Tango decided the fly mask is going to eat him.

He wore it last year, so I stupidly assumed he'd let me put it on again. I got it over one ear, he had a bit of a freak out and started spinning in circles until it flew off... the solid part was covering one of his eyes, I don't blame him, but JEEZE! So I took him into the paddock in his halter and calmed him down, and tried to get him used to it.

I just want to know if this is a "beneficial" (I don't want to say right) method, and hear your opinions on other ways to get him used to it (or awesome brands of fly masks that will make him feel more comfy! Available in Canada, please :)).

Basically, I took the soft part that goes around the ears and rubbed it around his face, up and down his nose, between his eyes, over his cheek, until he was more or less fine with it. Then I started rubbing his ears with my hands, then with my hands hooked through the ear piece, until I could hang it off his ears. I did this on both sides until he let me get it on his ears and sitting on his face, to the point where he'd let me lead him around with it on, and then, low and behold, Mr. Big-Head has gotten an even BIGGER head and the stupid velcro wont do up, great.

He was five when I got him last year, he had a "big" head, we bought him a nice big halter (adjustable!) and a big fly mask, WHY DOESN'T IT FIT? I didn't think horse heads grew that much after five, especially when it's already SO DARN BIG. Stupid fly mask. :evil: haha, I think it's just shrinking.
 
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#9 ·
Yeah I tried putting Glyder's flymask on last night. I didn't know wether he had ever wore one or not so I approached Missy, My mini mare first. Missy let's me do what I want without a fuss so I put her's on and Glyder spooked at it, letting me know, he hadn't worn one and was afraid of it. So I single tied him and brought the flymask to him, it's the kind with ears and is very weird looking to me so I see why he freaks out! haha Anyways he shivered and jigged at it's touch but showed positive interest in wanting to figure it out so I took my time and rubbed him down, starting on the shoulders and worked back to his hind end and working my way back up again this time to his head and he sniffed it, danced but accepted it after a few minutes of rubbing and he is now happily wearing it and no longer throwing his head like a maniac. I think he understands what the fly mask is now :) haha

Just keep rubbing, talking softly and encouraging him. Approach with it while rubbing then retreat, he'll get use to it
 
#10 ·
When I started to teach mine, I put the mask backwards: on neck, then over ears, and only then I turned it on face. I didn't tie them or anything, just did it in field. Couple times were enough for them to figure out. HOWEVER my mom still puts the mask on my paint only when she eats the grain. Because otherwise she doesn't let her. She's not afraid, just has her (bad) mind. :wink:
 
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