Ah! Just won't pick her feet up!!

[SpottyTB]

I have a filly over to be handled and what not, she's gone from being totally unhandlable to a reasonably docile little soul!

Only problem is, I can't pick her feet up/out! I've always had horses who will fling there feet out and mess about but never not even lift it up!

I have got them up, but with great struggle! Tried squeezing chestnut, and at the bottem of her leg but neither work. I've tried the simple "grab the fetlock and pull method" doesn't work!

All I can do is knock her off balance and grab them but that's not getting us anywhere!

Help!!!

 

[BlueCakes]

What does she do when you eventually get hold of them?


I had to hold on to my boy's foot with someone holding his headcollar, and let him fuss around untill he made himself fall over.

He's been an angel ever since.

I'm aware it is not the traditional method, but it worked.

 

[winterwood]

With the front legs I find initially asking for the leg to come forward by lifting from behind the knee can be effective. It can be helpful to have a helper at the horses head to turn the head away from the leg you are working on, which leads to the horse shifting the weight off that leg. Break it down into small chunks, starting with a very short lift, from behind the knee and working up to keeping it up for longer periods. Once she is happy with this work down and start to work on lifting in a more conventional manner. By working like this you start to build confidence in the horse, leading to her being more willing to lift her feet.

With the hind legs I initially ask the leg forward, not up as such, by holding just above the fetlock. Once again working in small increments to increase the time and height of lift.

 

[millreef]

I had this with my lad - solution? About 10lbs of carrots! Everytime he lifted his leg he'd get a bite. He now shakes hands. One piece of advice would be to do it on a day when you have enough time - don't rush.

 

[SpottyTB]

Once there up she's totally happy with them being up and will stand whilst I hold it/pick it up! I'll give your suggestions a go over next few days!

Got all the time in the world for this girly, she learns so quick!
Thanks