I have been working with Almira my 3yr old with handling her feet. I just started with asking her to pick all of them up, she never really had a problem with lifting them she just doesn't like keeping them up for me to handle. She got really easy with her front feet quick, she picks them up and holds them there for my to clean out. I am still working on her back feet though, I approached work with her back the same as the front, just picking them up at first, but she wont really move past this step. She lifts them up no problem but instantly puts it back down. I have been told to just hold the foot and wait till she stops fighting to put it back down, but to me this just seems like a battle, I would like to teach her without bringing up the adrenaline. Should I just continue repeatedly lifting her back feet, and eventually she will get it? I am just asking because she progressed very fast with her front but is being stubborn with her back. When I first got her she didn't like people being toward her back end, she would always face you. Now I can easily touch her anywhere with out troubling her but I guess it might just take longer with her back because that was her shy spot and she might still be getting over it a bit with her feet. Also her front feet need a little trim so maybe she just doesn't feel as comfortable standing on 3 feet. Now that she is easy in her front I will have her front feet done and see if that helps. If there is any advice you guys have on getting her comfortable with handling her back feet that would be great! Thank you!
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Aimira24
I don't know how old your horse was when you started working with her feet, but we start handling their feet when they are foals. The person that told you to just hold the foot until she quit fighting was going in the right direction, but you need to work slow and gently but don't let her drop her foot until you are ready to let her. Start by just picking it up for a short period then place the foot on the ground. Don't let her control it. After her foot is on the ground take your hand away and reward her with a rub. Each time you do this hold the foot longer until she will let you pick her feet up and move them into position to work on them. Alway be sure to place her feet on the ground yourself and not let her pull away and put her foot down. I think there is a video on this dealing with the proper way to shoe a horse.
I don't think you will get your horse too excited if you work slowly and deliberetly.
Cheers
Almira24,
I did just about what Dennis has described with my shy girl.
I started as you with the front until she held long enough for it to take me to clean them and long enough for the farrier.
Then the back ones, that was a little more challenaging. She was determined to put her foot down but I am more stubborn than she and held on for just that second longer and then I put her foot down.
I increased the time each day and now it is no problem.
When I say pick-up she does so right into my hand. It is much easier on my back and her farrier loves this, it makes his job so much easier.
As Dennis says, I worked slowly but consistantly. I did not let her put her foot down, I had to do it.
Perhaps this will work if she is back shy.
I keep my hand on Star's back and move it gently along her back to her hip and down her back leg until i reach her hock and at that point I say pick-up and she does.
When I am finished with each foot, I rub her leg and say good girl.
I hope this helps and is encouraging,
Ronda
Hi Almira,
I realise that somewhere else you wrote that your 3 year old was diagnosed Wobbler syndrom, this might be the reason why it's more difficult for her to lift her hind feet.
Still you want to clean and trim her feet, so I suggest you ask her to lift the foot, then make some circling movements with the foot in your hand. This relaxes the joint and muscles that contract when the weight of the foot is lifted. It's something young or unhandled horses have to get used to. She'll relax and give the weight right into your hand, if she knows she can trust you to hold it.
Miriam