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*rosita* · 03-22-2008,

Quote:

Originally Posted by rallen03

I just got her she is 3 and runs away when I fill up her water bowl and when the sprinklers come on. She starts bucking and running in the pasture? How to wash her if she is scared of water. I'm guessing she had a bad experience in the past the people I got her from say they've only washed her once... She needs it bad.. her tail looks like a giant knot... any ideas in getting it out without cutting it.. I did have to cut a piece of it there was a piece of barbed wire wound up through the middle of her tail that i had to cut out already. she has not been brushed or bathed in about a year and a half.

Hey rallen. This is just from my experience with these things:
tail and mane knots--you don't have to spend alot on horse-only products, I learned from a very knowledgeable horseman that WD40 spray lubricant worked in really well (might take a couple few times) will help immensely in combing out those mats. Avon's Skin So Soft oil blended half and half with water is great for maintenance--just get her used to that spray sound and feel. I did a Walking Horse gelding, and his breeding stallion, both tails and manes were like dreadlocks--took some time, but got it out. The gelding hates spray stuff, so I was careful to not let him hear it (bury in snarl).
water: sounds for sure like someone might have just started spraying her without any kind of adjustment. Be very patient and easy moving, see how she reacts to the hose. Are you putting water in the bucket when she's in her stall? Or is it in a paddock? Whichever, she needs to get used to the hose AND water coming out of it AND the sound it makes. We never know what a horse has experienced when we don't start them from birth!!!

When I've trained my horses to water, I tie them to hitching post (or cross ties), get hose, let them get used to just hose, no water on first. Gosh, it could be a giant snake!!! Try eventually to sack her out with the hose, running it across her body (still off!!!) to show her it won't hurt her. After a few sessions of this, when she is completely comfortable with the hose, start by just using the hose, not a spray nozzle, and talk gently while you start at her feet and eventually work your way up. Give her lots of praise, if you give her treats this is a good time. Every time she gets boogery, ease back some but don't stop or she'll train you!!! If she goes hogwild, then you'll need to stop, calm her down, then start again. You need to be persistent and patient. Some horses never take to a spray nozzle, but you may even get her to where she'll drink water from the hose. Baby steps!!! Great luck and happy trails, Renee