Feet trimming

[Groom Mum]

My ponies are a bit overdue to get their feet trimmed. Mainly because of the state of my fields. Also because I'm dreading it as my older one just won't let anyone near them. Except me if he's eating and pre occupied. The vet has given me some sedative for him. I don't want him to have it but the farrier won't put up with any messing and will charge me whether he does their feet or not. I have a concreted area I can bring them on. Should I just lead him back to his shelter afterwards to let him rest and work off the sedative ?

 

[Casey76]

Ideally they should be contained in a space with no food (including forage/grass) until the sedative wears off.

Also, just be aware that a pony may be more unsteady on his feet while sedated, and this can cause more leaning and foot stamping for the farrier.

 

[Groom Mum]

I don't have a choice really. I will be lucky to get the farrier near him. Let alone do his feet. I'm thinking rather than holding on to him with a head collar and lead rope on a concrete standing area it may be better in his shelter. But then he may feel penned in !!!

 

[Pinkvboots]

Your farrier said he will charge you even if there feet are not done, he sounds charming I think I would find another farrier who is a bit more sympathetic with the situation, I would just leave him tied up on the concrete area until his round, or if you can shut him in the shelter leave him in there afterwards and just keep an eye on him, have you got someone that could help you on the day?

 

[Buddy'sMum]

Ideally they should be contained in a space with no food (including forage/grass) until the sedative wears off.

Also, just be aware that a pony may be more unsteady on his feet while sedated, and this can cause more leaning and foot stamping for the farrier.

^this^

Can you not twitch rather than sedate for the farrier?

 

[Casey76]

One other thing, you should try to keep him in the shelter for an hour or two before the farrier arrives, and wipe down legs and hoofs. No farrier appreciates being presented with a horse who has been knee deep in mud.

Between this trim and the next one, you should try to work on them getting used to and accepting having their legs and feet handled. You can achieve a lot in 5-6 weeks, doing 10 mins or so every day.

 

[Leitrim]

With the sedatives that are commonly prescribed I think you have to allow a certain time for them to take effect in a quiet environment where the horse is quite calm so you could bring him into his shelter and clean off the mud, then remove any food and give him the sedative, leaving the horse to settle until the farrier arrives ... then the farrier can decide whether he trims him in the shelter or on the hard standing. Unless the floor of the shelter is perfectly flat and the light is good I guess he will want the horse brought onto hard standing.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I think that you need a more sympathetic farrier. Be prepared to pay for a visit or two for him to get to know and handle your nervous pony, without necessarily getting him trimmed. I presume that you can easily pick his feet out yourself? Lots and lots of practice will be very beneficial.

Here's my rising 2yo RSPCA foster filly earlier on this week. She can be very wary of strangers, but here I'm holding her on a loose rope whilst taking the pic on my phone.

My farrier has spent a lot of time with her, just handling her. He normally trims outside but as she was more settled in the stable, he did her inside. He also did without the tripod to make it easier for her (but more demanding on his back!). This is the the type of farrier you need, a proper horseman. But equally you must get the ponies used to having their feet picked up, preferably by a variety of people.

 

[Leo Walker]

I had 3 colts gelded who lived out. They were sedated enough for that to be done with no issues then went back out. I did hang about to keep an eye on them, but they were fine. My vet never batted an eyelid about the going back out sedated, so I'm sure yours will be ok I'd be sticking about just in case though

 

[peaceandquiet1]

One other thing, you should try to keep him in the shelter for an hour or two before the farrier arrives, and wipe down legs and hoofs. No farrier appreciates being presented with a horse who has been knee deep in mud.

Between this trim and the next one, you should try to work on them getting used to and accepting having their legs and feet handled. You can achieve a lot in 5-6 weeks, doing 10 mins or so every day.

Absolutely-wouldn't hesitate to sedate as it means you are much more likely to get the job done safely and efficiently. You can practice in between times with the handling.

 

[mayangold]

I do think its fair enough for the farrier to charge a call out fee whether he trims or not.

 

[Orca]

...I'm dreading it as my older one just won't let anyone near them. Except me if he's eating and pre occupied. The vet has given me some sedative for him. I don't want him to have it but the farrier won't put up with any messing and will charge me whether he does their feet or not. ...

I do think its fair enough for the farrier to charge a call out fee whether he trims or not.

I think it's fair too. It's our job to prepare them for farrier, vet, dentist, etc. as much as possible. However, I'd appreciate a farrier putting a bit of effort in with a new or nervy horse, so it's the 'won't put up with any messing', which I find a bit abrupt.

OP, did you manage to have their hooves done? If you want to reduce the likelihood of having to sedate in future, it's definitely worth working on their handling and hoof handling.

My new girl was barely halter broken when she first arrived. The farrier didn't have much trouble but I've been roping and holding her hooves up regularly since his last visit (to help her learn to balance, as much as anything!) and this time she was near perfect. He always takes the time to greet and reassure them though ��

 

[Groom Mum]

I haven't done them yet. I'm putting it off really. Mainly because I have no real area to stand them except a concrete square of around 10ft square. Also the farrier that is really good has now said he's too busy to do them. Farrier scan be so tricky sometimes. So I was thinking of getting a foot trimming specialist instead of a farrier. Any thoughts on that ?

 

[Orca]

I haven't done them yet. I'm putting it off really. Mainly because I have no real area to stand them except a concrete square of around 10ft square. Also the farrier that is really good has now said he's too busy to do them. Farrier scan be so tricky sometimes. So I was thinking of getting a foot trimming specialist instead of a farrier. Any thoughts on that ?

Trimmers seem to be like marmite. Some people love them, some people don't. I use a farrier but I'm open to the idea of a trimmer. I know one local to me specialises in 'difficult customers', so it's certainly worth investigating those available to you. You might find exactly who you need. Either way, I'd advise not to put it off. When were they last done? Horrible things can happen to hooves which aren't cared for.

 

[Groom Mum]

They were done end of October. I checked with rescue centre two weeks ago they said they would be ok. But I have to get them done now asap. My problem is I can't find a sympathetic farrier. The ones I know are impatient. I cannot risk them getting dug in ribs when they are already nervous. It will scare them forever.

 

[Orca]

I would say, if you can't find a sympathetic farrier, do book a good trimmer asap. We are lucky with our farrier, he's some kind of horse whisperer, certainly not a rib digger! I feel the same as you.

 

[Groom Mum]

I am stressing over this one because the ponies are nervous and I'm worried it will freak them out and two because I can't find anyone to do their feet !!!

 

[Orca]

Like I said upthread, it's worth working on their handling and hoof handling. The only way to overcome their nervousness is to get them used to it. If you can't find a farrier, book a hoof trimmer. If you can't find anyone, contract their rescue for advice.

 

[Groom Mum]

I'm looking at hoof trimmers now. I'm a bit worried they arnt as qualified as farriers. I've also text a farrier to see if he can come over. I was let down by the farrier I wanted. He says he's too busy now. So I'm back to square one.

 

[Orca]

Have you tried posting in the area pages? Someone might be able to give you a recommendation.

 

[Groom Mum]

There are area pages on HH ?

 

[Orca]

Sorry, ' Regional Boards'. It might be worth a try ��

 

[Groom Mum]

I've asked. Thanks.

 

[southerncomfort]

Have you started to do some de-sensitising work with them? The more you can do, the much less stressful it will be for them.

If you can even bring them in and spend 10 minutes each day just handling their feet. When they are ok with that you can start getting them used to a hoof pick and then ask your farrier if he has an old rasp that you can use to get them used to the feel of it.

If you do nothing, it could be disastrous and their experiences while they are young will colour how they feel about things for a long time to come.

I use an equine podiatrist who is absolutely brilliant. She is incredibly patient and a trim takes as long as it takes. Just be aware that they usually charge in the region of £40 for a trim.

 

[Groom Mum]

Have you started to do some de-sensitising work with them? The more you can do, the much less stressful it will be for them.

If you can even bring them in and spend 10 minutes each day just handling their feet. When they are ok with that you can start getting them used to a hoof pick and then ask your farrier if he has an old rasp that you can use to get them used to the feel of it.

If you do nothing, it could be disastrous and their experiences while they are young will colour how they feel about things for a long time to come.

I use an equine podiatrist who is absolutely brilliant. She is incredibly patient and a trim takes as long as it takes. Just be aware that they usually charge in the region of £40 for a trim.

They have had their feet picked almost every day since they arrived late last year. They are pretty good with that , so im hoping that has helped. I think it's more fact they are wary of strangers, especially men !
They may both surprise me, it's me who is fretting about whether they will be ok or not. I have some good help on th eday so I think we will be ok. I will be very relieved when it's over.