Accidently bought a Feral horse! Advice please...

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alixj444

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West Yorkshire
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I went to view a 3 year old feral untouched ID gelding with a friend and felt that sorry for him and the conditions of the place it was kept at that I ended up buying him! Ooops... any how, I've had him approaching 3 weeks and he's come on leaps and bounds - can now be led fine, still a bit unsure when you are initially catching him but will let you grab his head collar on 2nd or sometimes 3rd attempt and clip the lead rope on (I haven't dared take the head collar off yet!). He's been wormed, vaccinated and checked over by the vet so the only thing left on my initial tick list is the farrier visit.

I'm keeping him at home at the minute by himself before taking him to the livery yard with my others - he's surprisingly very settled by himself, I think he's just that hungry that he's totally focussed on eating!! I can fly spray him and groom him up to his flank area no problem but then he starts getting worried and he has tried kicking out a few times. Has anyone got any tips for getting him used to having me around his back end or will this just come over time? I'm slowly teaching him to pick up his front feet and I can get a bit of effol on his back feet without him worrying too much, I'm just conscious that his feet do need attending to sooner rather than later yet I don't want him to have a bad first experience with the farrier! I'm also dying to give his tail a wash and brush as it's matted and dirty, which I'm sure will be attracting the flies more this time of year.

I've plenty of experience having broken several youngsters, but normally when I've bought them they've been far more advanced in their ground work education than this one so this is a fairly green area for me - hoping that there may be someone on here that could give some constructive advice please :)
 
When I bought my unhandled baby everything had to be done slowly and carefully. No grabbing at the headcollar, but gradual trust until she would follow me and let me clip her onto the lead-rope, carrots helped this process a lot :D but she was out in a herd in 22 acres...

For feet and touching sensitive bits I just did a little more each time to expand her comfort zone. So standing at her shoulder and gradual stroking back over her back and flanks, then moving onto her back legs as she got use to me and then onto asking her to pick her feet up. For feet it was good to pick them up and immediately put them back down so she knew she would get them back ;). Time and patience to it all is key and an excellent and understanding farrier!
 
I am a great believer in the super market carrier bag on the end of a long stick. I played the stick around two young colts as they got their daily hard feed. Just kept moving the plastic so they were aware but not too frightened to eat. I kept this up until I could shake the plastic around their heads and feet quite vigorously without them being bothered.

When the farrier came, he was amazed they had never actually had their feet lifted as they both behaved perfectly. I can't recommend it enough. Just be careful not to subject the horse to too much pressure. They should be able to cope with what you are doing without being unduly scared.

With a food orientated horse, the key is obvious! Rewards for every step forwards and no free lunches!
 
Use a leadrope to lift legs initially, that way if the horse does kick out you aren't likely to get kicked. Stuff a glove and tie it to the end of a stick/schooling whip, use it to rub him on his bum so he gets the idea of a hand behind his flanks :)
 
Great suggestions - all worked with my mare (plus someone standing with treats at the head to overload with "good girl" praise!). Until recently we were full sedation for the farrier for everyone's safety. If the feet need doing really badly then it isn't a bad idea until you've had time to do the training.
 
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