Hello, I am 16 and I brought my lovely 2 year old Shilo back in June last year. We clicked instantly. I have never done join up with him but he fallows me every were with his head lowered behind me and he dose anything I ask of him. We are the best of friends. The only thing I have found he is not comfortable with is his feet. I can touch his hoofs and touch all over his legs and he dose not mind. He is reluctant to pick his feet up but he will eventually do it. Once you have got a hold of his hoof he will snatch it away and put it straight back on the floor. He is slightly better with his front than with his back. The thing is he lets the farrier do his feet and will happily stand there. But he will not let me I am quite slight and the farrier is quite the opposite. So is it that he dose not feel comfortable with me taking his weight because he is quite chunky or am I doing some thing wrong. Thank you for taking the time to read and answer my question any tips would be very much appreciated. Becky.
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Hi Becky,
Here Monty would ask: " Do you think he would do it for me?".
If the answer is "yes", then Monty would say: "Look in the mirror, there's your problem!"
The way you ask Shilo to lift his feet might show, that you're in doubt or in any other way insecure. The farrier lifts horse's feet all day, he knows how to do so. Your young horse may have some balance problems when on three feet, but I think you can pick up one foot, hold it for 3 seconds and then put it back quietly. When that works make it 5 seconds, always taking care of putting the foot back in a gentle manner. You can make the period slightly longer all the time, until you feel comfortable about cleaning his feet. Notice where and how you touch his body, when you stand next to him for picking up feet. Do you touch his flanks with your body? If thing don't work, change them.
Hope this is some kind of help to you.
Keep working and enjoy your youngster!
Miriam
Hi Miriam
Thank you for your advice I will try this and see how he responds. :)
Becky.
My 10 year old Welsh Cob has been with me for a year now and is still very fearful of giving his feet. He threatens to kick me if he isn't totally relaxed first. I think he suffers from the memory of pain as he had a bad back due to poor hoof care etc. We don't believe he suffers pain anymore as
his feet have been corrected and he has had his back manipulated etc. He has to be partially sedated for the farrier and i think he jjust remembers the discomfort. He also has a piece of rope and a cowboy hat he finds comfort in holding in his mouth and swinging when he is either nervous about being groomed or just when he is happy around me - he fears water brushes and anything to do with grooming, i can tie him up just to stand and wait for me but if i tie him up and start any kind of grooming he can't handle it. I was wondering if anyone else has A horse with these type of issues or what Monty would do? By the way his name is "steepleton Monty". I just call hi m "monty" I don't pick out his feet as much as I should because it causes both of us stress and I do think he must have been badly treated in the past. He is very easy to catch and I think naturally joins up with me, he is easy to ride and has good manners when I am in the saddle, I decided to ride in a dually halter As he also feared the bit and he is now in a bitless bridle and loves it - so do I.
Shilo,
Miriam gives good advice. I believe this could have something to do with your size and/or confidence as well. The indicator for this is that he does just fine with the farrier but not for you.
I gave my 7 yr old granddaughter a little paint mare for Christmas. This little mare would pick up her feet for the farrier or for me in a heartbeat but would just stand there when little Hannah tried to pick up her feet. Once Hannah did get her to pick up her foot up she would put it right back down just like Shilo. I believe this is because Hannah did not hold the foot firmly and with confidence. After working with Hannah and her horse for about a week it completely turned around. Now it is so easy for her that she wants to clean her feet 2 or 3 times every time she rides. I believe the difference is that Hannah to hold the foot firmly and a good distance from the ground. (Previously she would hold it just a few inches from the ground.) Horses are typically accustomed to having the front foot held at a 45 degree angle (or like the corner of a square) and the hind leg pulled out a little behind her and propped on the hip or leg. Once Hannah learned to do this and was persistent in doing it then her horse began to yield to her and now picks up her feet right away. In fact, she will shift her weight and start to pick up the next foot before Hannah even gets to it.
The key: Check yourself to see that you are lifting the foot high enough to be comfortable for your horse and then don't let go too easily when your horse tries to put his foot back down. Once he sees that you are not going to let him put his foot down easily I think he will come around and be more cooperative. If little Hannah could do it, I know you can. :-) But remember: safety first so don't put yourself in harms way when doing this.
Shilo,
Miriam gives good advice. I believe this could have something to do with your size and/or confidence as well. The indicator for this is that he does just fine with the farrier but not for you.
Question: Do you run your hand down your horse's leg and to the foot or do you just reach down and try to lift the foot? Running your hand down the leg communicates to your horse that you are about to ask him to give you his foot. If you watch I am fairly certain you would see the farrier do this.
I gave my 7 yr old granddaughter a little paint mare for Christmas. This little mare would pick up her feet for the farrier or for me in a heartbeat but would just stand there when little Hannah tried to pick up her feet. Once Hannah did get her to pick up her foot up she would put it right back down just like Shilo. I believe this is because Hannah did cue her horse by running her hand down the leg and because she did not hold the foot firmly and with confidence. After working with Hannah and her horse for about a week it completely turned around. Now it is so easy for her that she wants to clean her feet 2 or 3 times every time she rides. I believe the difference is that Hannah learned to properly cue her horse and to hold the foot firmly and a good distance from the ground. (Previously she would hold it just a few inches from the ground.) Horses are typically accustomed to having the front foot held at a 45 degree angle (or like the corner of a square) and the hind leg pulled out a little behind her and propped on the hip or leg. Once Hannah learned to do this and was PERSISTENT in doing it then her horse began to yield to her and now picks up her feet right away. In fact, she will shift her weight and start to pick up the next foot before Hannah even gets to it.
The key: Cue your horse by running your hand down the leg first and check yourself to see that you are lifting the foot high enough to be comfortable for your horse. Then don't let go too easily when your horse tries to put his foot back down. Once he sees that you are not going to let him put his foot down easily I think he will come around and be more cooperative. If little Hannah could do it, I know you can. :-) But remember: safety first so don't put yourself in harms way when doing this.
Jenny,
I would try grooming your welsh pony in a round pen, that way if at any point what you are doing is to much for him he can flee and you can allow him to get that energy out then bring him back to you and try again.
This is how I train feet and any fearful behavior because it helps them to see being away from me is harder than being close and also releases all their fear energy, until they don't feel they have to be afraid anymore. Anyway something to try.
Hi I have a gypsy cob who is very reluctant to pick up her feet. She is getting better but when I pick up her front feet she tolerates it for about half a minute then leans back and snatches her foot down. When I pick up her hind feet she tlerates for a short while then kicks back to release the hold. i have had her since middle Sptember last year. She is also the same with the farrier.