The back hooves - pretty slow progress?

Question

My pony hadn't had her feet touched when I bought her, she's now picking up her front feet decently and with a lot of struggle the farrier managed to clip them.

The hind feet were a whole different problem so he had to leave it! I've been working twice every day for the last 2 1/2 weeks and there has been very little progress. The farrier is expecting me, he asked me to get back within 2 weeks so he can come back out to trim her feet but I haven't been able to. She used to kick out if you tried to pick them up, now she's a lot better, I go to pick up but one day she'll be really funny and kick and the next she will lift up. I haven't actually held the feet I just pick up and let go straight away then praise when she picks up with no fuss.

She used to go crazy, prancing, barging, kicking but now there's none of that. She stands still but I know I can't call the farrier out yet but she desperately needs it :/. I tried holding her foot once and she kicked. She's fine with me rubbing her back legs right down to her hooves she just hates picking them up.
Any tips for quicker progress?

Answer 1

I think boxer lover has the right idea, only I would say make a long loop in the end of the soft rope so the loop is about a foot long or long enough that when you run the end of the rope through the loop and it is around his pastern so that it is a double loop around the pastern and it will not be so likely to burn him.



I have foot gentled some pretty wild and mean horses and I can tell you right now that if they start to do repeated vicious kicking and you are holding the rope you will surely get your vertabrae rearranged. It is best to have the horse tied solid, I mean strong halter, rope and place to tie and have thems tied short so they cannot dance around like idiots.



Have him step into the loolp with a hind foot and have it long enough to go out behind him and make one loop around the bottom of a solid post behind him. Wear gloves and be prepared not to give him slack till he gives you slack. Just let him kick If he has to. The instant he quits and gives slack loosen the rope. If you keep doing this behind him and then out in front of him, I would guarantee if you are persistant and do not let him win you will be able to handle his feet.



When he will give his feet to to the slightest pull of the rope then get a helper to help you and you (with the rope still on his foot) reach down and pick up the foot if he fights or kicks at you, have your partner tighten the rope till he will let you.

Answer 2

A tip that will never fail you. Having someone hold her would be better but you can certainly do this while her being tied. Get a long rope, preferably a cotton one. This is where you need stealth skills. If you can't get to close then lay the rope down in front or behind the horse. Walk her over it and using a whip or broom handle so your not bending your head down to low, pull the rope end to where you can safely pick it up. Now you should have the rope around the back leg while your standing in front of the back leg in the safety zone. Now your going to let the rope drop down around the the ankle and begin twisting it like you'd be twisting your hair. As soon as its tight around the ankle, lift up. The point of this is your in a safe zone, and with leverage. It's very easy for a horse to kick their leg out of your hand but its nearly impossible when your standing straight up and two hands on the rope. Do not let the leg go until she is calmly holding it up then let the leg down. Repeat this process a few times. Never let the rope go. When your happy with your results just untwist the rope and repeat process on other side. Depending on the horse, no more then a couple days till they get the idea and you'll be holding their hoof in your hands.

Another method is using a broom or whip and touching them all over their back legs. They can fire all they want and your at a safe distance. Don't stop touching until she stops fighting. Repeat process on other side. This is actually your first step then rope if you cannot touch her legs at all. Good Luck!

Answer 3

If her feet are that God awful just sedate her now to get her trimmed, then work with her on it after. If you just leave it so that you can train her better first, she'll end up with all sorts of hoof problems that can easily (and probably) affect the bone structure in her hooves. I know you probably don't want to sedate her but it's in her best interest this time so that she can have healthy feet ASAP. Then work with her every day after that on it so that the next time the farrier comes out she'll be fine.

Answer 4

I second the suggestion to ACE her for her next shoeing appointment. Often, when a horse is very nervous about something, it can be very good for them to experience it while relaxed due to a tranquilizer. It makes it a positive experience for them so they are not as apprehensive for the next time.



I do suggest a practice round though with the ACE so you know the dosage that is right for her. Also, you need to give it to her before the farrier gets there and before she is expecting anything. It doesn't have much affect if given after the stimuli is already present.

Answer 5

ACE to get her trimmed and in shape - and continue working with her feet so that 8 weeks from now she can be trimmed with out the drugs.

Answer 6

There isn't really a quick fix. Keep handling them gently and politely as often as you can - try to make it a good (or ar least not bad) experience for her. With time, she'll get better.