Hi Tami
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Yes, I agree. I can understand the theory behind the twitch, but I am still adamantly opposed to it unless the circumstances deem its use necessary with absolutely no other choice.
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I would love to see what other options are available.
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Kind regards,
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Gen

Hi Tami and Gen,

There is a series of videos called "Fix-up" by Monty, that deals with problems like letting the vet in etc. This is no.2 in a series of 3. They were made in 2001, but are still very valuable!
Basicly it is the Dually-training that makes the horse choose between standing still and fuzzing around when being asked to accept unfamiliar circumstances.
This might give you a deeper insight on the subject.
Miriam

Hi Miriam,

Thanks for this idea, but are you talking about DVD's by Monty or lessons from the Uni? I looked at the lessons and I couldn't find it... or do I need glasses? haha.
Do I understand that you are working with the Dually halter?
I am thinking to buy one and also the book from my hands to your hands, because I want to start with a young horse to train the "daily" things. What is your experience with the Dually with young horses and also the "older" once?
Thanks for reading, kind regards May, from The Netherlands.

Hi May,
Good to see some Dutch on the Uni, I'm too, but live in Hamburg!
The Fix-up series are DVDs from 2001, but still available, you should be able to buy them through Annemarie van der Toorn, who sells Monty's tack and books in Holland.
I have had very good results working with the Duallyhalter and young horses, it works just as well as for mature ones. The halter comes with a DVD, in which Monty explains how to use it and how to train a horse using the advantages of the Dually.
You can use it for longlinig as well, even as a sidepull it can be used for riding.
"From my hands to yours" will give you all the information you're looking for, I'm sure.
Enjoy it!
Miriam

Hi Miriam,

Dank je wel voor je support. Grappig, dat we elkaar dan treffen via de Uni als Nederlanders. Ik woon vlak bij Doetinchem, 10 minuten van de duitse grens.
Translation for the English speaking: Thanks for your support. Funny that we meet each other as Dutch people through the Uni. I am living near Doetinchem, 10 minutes from the German boarder.

I looked at the website of Annemarie van der Toorn and I will contact her to see if she has the DVD's for me.
I ordered the Dually halter and the book through the webshop of Monty and I am realy looking forward to start working with the Dually and read more about the Equus.
Thank you again and good luck there in Hamburg, maybe one day we will meet each other, you never know....
Kind regards May.

Tami,
If you can run thru the lessons on standing for the farrier, you will usually end up with a cooperative horse for the vet visits. The Dually is the key, as mentioned above. I've never had to use a twitch--don't even own one. Also, your calm attitude is a great support for the horse. If you can't handle the noise from the vet floating your horse's teeth, you should ask someone else to hold him.

You can also help your horse by practicing taking his temperature rectally, using a stethescope on him, and seeing that he is calm and willing to have fingers in his mouth and having his eyes and ears handled, all before the vet is needed. That way, he's accustomed to the basic procedures the vet will go through. Some horses don't like shots, and although most vets I've seen are very good with inserting the needle so it causes no discomfort, I've heard of horses with needle phobias. My vet usually rubs vigorously and then pinches the target area briefly to desensitize it before inserting the needle. You could practice that so your horse is ok with it. You could also request a topical anesthetic for an extreme case of needle phobia, but hopefully it won't come to that for you.

And, if you have it available to use, practice loading and unloading from medical stocks. That is another way to keep your horse still and calm while being ministered to. It's also a great way to prepare a horse to trailer load without the horse having to confront a big step up or down.

Good luck!

Hi all
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Thanks for the tip on the Fix-Up DVDs, I have those ones and will have to look at them again. They were my introduction to Monty Roberts and his methods.
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Will also look at the farrier Uni videos again too.
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See you later,
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Gen

Hi all,

Thank you very much,

I am going to follow yours advices and try to end this terrible methods arround my area.

Hi all, I would like to add a comment re preparing for the vet. I did more or less what you described, Julie m. I prepared my horse for the prepurchase examination at least three weeks in a row: entering the stable hallway, standing there, being tied up, accept hands everywhere... I did also three sessions with a syringe filled up with applemouse before we saw the dentist for the first time. At the same time these sessions served as training for deworming. I realized how much my horse notices that small object in my hand which approaches his mouth and how scared he is also of the noise it make when coming in contact with the metal rings of the Dually.
Here is the experience with the dentist: My horse was ok having his mouth checked (whole hand of dentist in the back of his mouth) but just moved a little backwards. The dentist suggested to position him into a box for keeping him from moving backwards. Quickly Hero was trapped with his backside in the corner of the box, the dentist got his hand in his mouth and I was about to say:"hey, now my horse has no choice and no way out, just let him come off the corner" but Hero was quicker and jumped into the ceiling defending himself with his front leg. Fortunately he did not hurt anybody and the ceiling was of cardboard which broke right away. I learned from that situation to be quicker with my NO if I see something is going to go wrong - no matter if I have a vet by my side or a friend of mine. I am responsible for my horses security and wellfare and for the security of people around him too. So no fear to talk clearly and loud if we see something is going wrong ! VioBerlin