I had a thread a few weeks ago before we got "the tack room" about my young horse (Leo) and his terrible fear of the farrier.
We used IV sedation from the vet which obviously worked but aside from costing 100 quid a time it didn't actually address the problem.
We tried sedalin (a full 10ml tube) that had no effect what so ever.
I had the physio out to check there was no physical reason for him to react so violently (explosive double barrelled kicking) to my lovley farrier and no pain was detected.
The physio gave me the number of a natural horsemanship lady who she'd heard was rather good. Sally came out last Friday to do some ground work with Leo and found him to be very calm and receptive to her methods. She reinforced his backing up and moving over out of her space and having his legs handled etc. He was lovley and did everything asked of him.
Today the farrier was due..........so out came Sally again to find Leo was a snorting wreck, ready to kick out as soon as the farrier approached just to pat him.
She spent a good half hour doing the ground work again then got the farrier to do advance/retreat touching, where he would back off as soon as Leo stood calmly but stayed close if he panicked or paddied. He the did similar advance/retreat but holding his hind leg up with a rope. If he stood calm he was allowed to put it down and if he kicked or got upset it was held up til he settled.
The end result an hour later was Leo standing as quiet as a mouse while his back shoes were removed. No one was injured, horse or human and the job was done.
Even the farrier, lovely but very much old school, was impressed. I don't think he expected it to work to be honest.
So we'll have another session or two for the next shoeings but I'm just delighted that things went so well and we are well on the way to helping him overcome his fears.
Sorry for the essay. I just had to share.