Back feet issues

[Adoni123]

Hi all,

Looking for some opinions on what I should do. I have been looking for a sane horse for a while and have found one today who is lovely, perfect for the job I’m needing of her.
One catch is that she won’t lift her back feet. She tries and will stomp it down. Owner hasn’t had her long and has admitted not working on it much but it’s come on a bit. I checked for signs of pain and it doesn’t look like she’s sore but obviously I’m not a professional but ears are forward etc and she didn’t look upset. Her back feet haven’t been seen by the farrier since new owners had her, luckily the feet have stayed in very good shape considering with the work she’s been doing. Front feet are fine.
She would be going into heavier work with me and I’d like need back shoes on, at the very least I’d need to be comfortable with picking them up and cleaning them, as well as trims. I got survive with scoot boots on the back, but I won’t manage to get them on at the moment.

Do you think this is a fixable problem? I’m a competent novice and owner but haven’t dealt with this before. She’s lovely and id happily put in time to practise and work on trust as well as possibly a horse whisperer or experienced farrier to help?
if anyone has had experience Id love to hear opinions especially in regards to horse whisperers etc!
TIA

 

[ycbm]

How old is the horse?

 

[Adoni123]

How old is the horse?

10!

 

[Peglo]

My new haffie was a bit iffy with one of her back feet when I first got her. She would kick backwards but not actually kicking at me. It turned into either back feet but I got the physio out to see her and she thought she just didn’t have the balance so was a bit unsure. That made sense as she is a lovely mare who likes to please. She’s still not 100% with her backs but I’ve never felt unsure or unsafe whilst working with her. I got advice on here of what to do to help and it was great. Do you feel comfortable working with her or do you dread even trying picking up her feet?

 

[Adoni123]

My new haffie was a bit iffy with one of her back feet when I first got her. She would kick backwards but not actually kicking at me. It turned into either back feet but I got the physio out to see her and she thought she just didn’t have the balance so was a bit unsure. That made sense as she is a lovely mare who likes to please. She’s still not 100% with her backs but I’ve never felt unsure or unsafe whilst working with her. I got advice on here of what to do to help and it was great. Do you feel comfortable working with her or do you dread even trying picking up her feet?

Thanks for your input, I’ve only tried her recently but believe there’s no nastiness in it. My main concern is delivering the right care as I’d worry if she needed her feet done or if she got an abscess etc what I’d do if I can’t fix the problem!
Another worry is that I highly doubt she’d pass a vetting if the vet can’t get her feet up, but if I thought it’s something that would come round in a few months I would risk it with just getting bloods and a vet check. Also that it’s a nastier problem vet related but no lameness to be seen or felt by myself anyway! X

 

[Peglo]

I would think with routine, lots of practice, taking things slowly and earning her trust then she should improve if current owner has seen a bit of improvement without much effort. The worst is you never know what has caused the behaviour to start with.
I guess your comment about giving her care is irrelevant as anyone who has her will have the same worry. Do you have horsey friends/instructor who could come and see her to see what their thoughts are?

 

[ycbm]

10!

I think it's a big risk to take on a 10 year old which won't pick up its back feet. That's a prime age for hock arthritis to start and a key symptom of it.

Unless the horse is cheap and you can afford to write off the money and PTS if it goes wrong, I would buy on condition they get the horse fit for the vet to do hind flexions before the vetting. It should only take a few days if they put their minds to it.
.

 

[PapaverFollis]

If the horse was 4 or 5 (and a mare particularly) I would suspect behavioural or perhaps a weakness or balance issue that would resolve with work. At 10, I would be much more cautious that it was a sign of a more difficult problem.

 

[Red-1]

If the horse is perfect in every other way, I would ask a vet to examine the horse. If it is a competent equine specialist bet, they will likely be better able to form an opinion as to cause of not picking feet up.

 

[Adoni123]

Thanks all, I decided not to go ahead with the purchase

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thanks all, I decided not to go ahead with the purchase

I think you made a wise choice.