Fear of hind legs- how to get over it?

[Isa7182]

Hi all!

So, I a fear of the horses back feet, Sounds stupid probably but I had trouble with a horse picking his feet out and he was being difficult that day and I know you should hold for a bit if they start trying to pull it away until they relax again but I freaked out and I can't pick them up now, I cant go near the back feet, I hate it and I feel stupid.

The front legs are fine for me and I can walk behind them and all that, but I can't pick the back feet. My RI does it before I ride anyway, but still.

How can I get over it?

 

[mudmudmud]

Take your time, the more nervous and jumpy you are around the horse the more likely he is to panic. Find yourself a nice reliable, steady pony who you trust and feel confident around; spend time just brushing and stroking him/her from his flank working your way down to his hoof slowly and stop at any point which you feel uncomfortable.

Once you are comfortable doing that try picking up his foot and putting it back down. And then once you are comfortable with that try holding it for a few seconds longer.

Don't rush, just take for time. There's no pressure

 

[heebiejeebies]

It's not silly at all, I was hospitalised after a kick and ended up with a fear of back legs! Took quite a while for me to feel completely confident again, I echo what the first poster has said, that's some good advice.

 

[STRIKER]

Horse should be standing squarly to compensate for the limb being raised so if they want to pull the leg away they are usually uncomfortable unstable, so make sure they are standing square first before lifting the leg up. Stand close to horses belly facing the back legs, run your hand down the front of his cannon towards his foot, then down to his fetlock and speak to him "up" they should be relaxed you have shown them you are touching their leg and raise their foot, cup your hand under the hoof and pick out feet, bring foot back in line with the hip dont keep foot under the horses belly as it will be uncomfortable for him, and he will be in a position to kick you if he wanted to.

 

[*hic*]

If I were you I'd get your RI to show exactly how to stand and pick the hind legs up so that you won't be kicked .

 

[Isa7182]

I know how to pick them up.

That's really good advice mud! Thanks heaps! And thanks everyone else too!! I'll work on it slowly

 

[Ladyinred]

Take your time, the more nervous and jumpy you are around the horse the more likely he is to panic. Find yourself a nice reliable, steady pony who you trust and feel confident around; spend time just brushing and stroking him/her from his flank working your way down to his hoof slowly and stop at any point which you feel uncomfortable.

Once you are comfortable doing that try picking up his foot and putting it back down. And then once you are comfortable with that try holding it for a few seconds longer.

Don't rush, just take for time. There's no pressure

Great advice.

 

[Ladyinred]

Possibly also enlist the help of other people, including your farrier. Get them to lift the foot for you and then pick it out while they hold it. Even if you can't bring yourself to lift them yet at least brush some hoof moist on every day.. not so much for the good of the hoof but to get you acclimatised!

Mudmudmud's advice is spot on. Keep brushing the back legs and get further and further down day by day. Ask your farrier to show you the safest way to pick up a back foot, ie where to stand etc, if anyone knows, he will.

 

[sandi_84]

It's not silly at all, I am the same I got kicked in the hip when I was younger - a few inches up or across and I would have had serious injury - luckily I got away with a small scar because the pony who the kick was actually aimed at pulled back pulling me with her.

It's taken me years to get back to feeling confident and I still have a little crisis whenever I have to do a horse not known to me but one day I had to pick out every horses feet on the yard - 35+ horses and ponies - so had to put my brave pants on, it took me a while and I had a few stops and starts with some of them but I did it and felt incredibly proud of myself.

Echo the advice given above, just take it slow and keep in your comfort zone, get someone to show you the difference between a horse helping by lifting it's foot and a horse that is going to kick - after being kicked I would get frightened even of the mare I was most involved with because she would lift her foot which made it go inwards a bit - her just helping me - and think it was going to be a kick.