Equine Music Therapy

My Haflinger friend Mallory has struggled with a sore front right hoof on and off for years. (Don't worry, the vet is working on it and she gets good care). She is typically very happy and willing to work with people but a few months ago she did not want to give the farrier her left front leg. He needed to trim her hoof and she knew that, but each time she gave him her leg she had pain in her right hoof. She was nearly laying down to avoid the situation. She and I kept talking and she agreed to try but the pain was upsetting her.

I offered her treats, hoping that would help because she loves to eat. She took the food but it didn't really help. Then I had a great idea- I would have her play her piano! She loves to play her toy piano, she swishes her top lip over the keys and grumbles while she does it. The solution worked like a charm. As she played the farrier finished her left hoof and she seemed to not even notice. She stood perfectly still and played her music.