throws her head!!!

Question
I have a 5 year old mare, and before I bought her, she was trained too quickly and not with the right methods. One major problem that I am working with her on now is touching her face. I can't touch her mouth without her throwing her head. It is scary and it hurts when she hits me with her head. She is getting better at bridling, but worming is a battle. And clipping....oh man!! she won't let me do it! I understand that she is not trying to be a brat, and I am being as paitient as I can, but it does get very frustrating!! I go to my friend's barn, and her horses let her do ANYTHING to their faces and they stand perfectly still! Can you give me any tips to get my mare to hold still? Thanks so much.  -Erin

Answer
Hi Erin,

Thank you for the question. I'd first start by having a dentist check her teeth and a vet check her overall health, including mouth, eyes and ears. To be sure you are not dealing with something physical. After ruling that out, I'd start by doing some extensive de-senitizing with her. Start by figuring out her comfort zone, as an example, let's say she lets you touch her mane but not her bridle path. I'd use the approach and retreat action to gradually slide your hand up and then remove it before she reacts. Remember horses learn from the retreat, that's their reward. If standing that close to her, is a danger, you can use the end of a whip, just letting the tip dangle or rub along her face. Or even a rope or crop with a baggie tied to it, anything to create texture and a stroking motion. Before you approach her head with it, rub whatever you chose to use all over both sides of her body, so she's 100% comfortable with it before you move towards her head. Same thing with the clippers, use the approach and retreat motion. If you determine there is nothing physical and you deem her behaviour agressive, you can add some exercises to it, when she reacts. You don't want to get after her in an agressive way, but for instance, if she is comfortable with the clippers every where on her body, but when you approach her head, she rears, I'd make her move her feet, sidepass, back up, turn on the forehand, etc., something to get her thinking AND working, so that when she moves it gets harder. But if she stands still she doesn't have to put out any energy. Do remember that a fast retreat with the object or your and to keep your lessons short are the key to tackling this behaviour.

Jen