how can I introduce my horse to leg splints?

[amanda and star]

I got a 16 year old arabian to use for games, pleasure, and halter. I tried put a splint on one of her hind legs, and asked her to move so I could get the other one. As she moved she tried to kick it off. Aparently se had never had them on before! What's the best way to introduce her to them?

 

[Olive]

Oooh, I love Arabians!! Anyway, leave them on her as long as it takes to get used to them. Or you can do it slowly and put them on her loose and then take them off and then tighten them more every time you put them on. If she's scared of them, you could sack her out with them first.

 

[Arburbula]

As Marianne stated, just put them on and she'll eventually get used to them.

Once she's calmed down and finished trying to stamp them off, take her for a walk in a calm area like in the arena or just outside the barn - or a safe place you can let her off the lead and let her sort it out on her own (supervised of course).. This can be quite amusing! First time Monster had polo wraps on she looked like a toy horse without joints doing some kind of odd march around the round pen. Took about 20 minutes but she was fine after that.

 

[KelseyS]

Just put them on tight, and let her have a fit about them. She'll eventually get the concept that shes not getting them off.

 

[froggie88]

My horse has never had leg splints either. I tried to put some on her and it was apparent that she didn't want them on her legs. Try getting some velcro ones (there just cloth with velcro and mine has zippers and velcro) and just put them on her legs just barely and lead her around with them and gradually tighten them up. Eventually put them on her back ones, too. I'd try putting them on her front ones first, because when she knows that there not gonna hurt her, she won't be as scared for you to put them on her back feet. Then make sure she'll be fine with them by leading her around. Before you know it you'll be riding and doing games. I know it seems like it takes alot of time but it shouldn't take but a few days if you work with her everyday. I hope this helps, because this is what i'm going to do with my horse.

 

[Azeri]

Put them on securely - have someone hold her for you if you need to, and then just walk her around. She'll pick her legs up really high and might try to kick them off but very soon will accept them. They all do this the first time they have boots or leg wraps put on.

 

[Marianne]

Just put them on securely and leave them- It won't hurt her to be turned out with them as long as they are applied correctly (I'm assuming you mean splint boots?) and she should get used to them. Kinda like how some people will put a headstall and bit on a young horse and then just leave them in the stall to get them used to having it in their mouth.