3 YO hates legs being touched

[ekitteridge]

I became the proud owner of a 3 year old Cob/TB cross, who is generally very sweet natured. She is a foster foal, so was probably take off her mother very early and bucket fed. I know the stud handle their foster foals every day, have their feet trimmed etc, since leaving the stud, she has been a companion for weanlings, so not had alot of handling, but she is happy to be caught, led with a headcollar etc. Since I got her I have just been leading her about, grooming her and generally messing about with her, getting her used to everyday yard stuff. However, she is very touchy about her legs and feet being touched. I need to get her feet trimmed and obviously want to be able to pick her feet out and brush her legs. Does anyone have any experience of how they went about desensitising their horses who have a similar problem?

 

[conkers]

Get yourself a feather duster and use it to stroke your 3 year olds legs until she accepts the contact. The length of the feather duster keeps you out of harms way whilst de-sensitising your mare. You should then be able to start brushing them and start picking out her feet.
The key here is to be confident. Make sure the contact is firm, the same way you would brush the legs of a horse who isn't shy.

We had one that cow kicked for England if you so much as looked at the lower part of her back legs. Within a week of taking this approach she was more than happy to be handled and have her feet picked out.

 

[YorksG]

We have one who was fine with legs and feet as a newly bought three year old, who then got a hoof injury which required vet intervention under sedation. She then became difficult to get near front legs and feet, we used clicker training and worked on picking feet up every time I went near her! This included last hay when they were in overnight. I also have a helpful farrier who devoted one Friday morning to working with her. He spent ten minutes getting near her front feet, came in for coffee, rinsed and repeated several times that morning. I think I overdid it a bit as now as soon as anyone goes near her legs, the appropriate foot snaps up

 

[MagicMelon]

As others have said, just get something on a pole so its an extension of your hand/arm but you can stay a safe distance away. Once they kick a few times and realise the thing touching her doesnt move away then they get used to it very quickly. Ive had a couple who did this, I used a schooling whip to tickle and stroke the legs until they got used to it. You could also blow up a washing up glove and stick it on the end to make a pretend hand Then loads of praise when she is relaxed about it (but saying nothing when she kicks, just ignore it but keep the thing on her).

As someone else has said, clicker training is good too. I find it makes them see you as the owner in a more positive light as well when you do this sort of training, they actually want to start working with you in a quicker manner than other methods.

 

[Apercrumbie]

A friend attached a stuffed glove to the end of a pole so it was still hand shaped, although I think a feather duster would also do the trick. Whatever her mare did, the glove stayed in contact with her leg. She soon worked it out.

Keep meaning to learn about clicker training which also sounds useful in this situation - could anyone recommend me a book?

 

[ekitteridge]

Thank you for all your replies - Went off to the yard yesterday evening armed with a glove stuffed with shavings attached to a jumping whip. This was much to the amusement of other yard colleagues who were wondering if I was bringing out a new line in alternative toys!! (did offer to hire it out!!)
I rubbed all up and down her legs with this despite her protestations, and eventually she stood still and stopped trying to cow kick, so gave her lots of praise.

I did find the whip a bit too flexible though and have now modified the tickling stick and attached the glove to a mop handle - will do the same again every day, then build up to touching with my hand.