Foot lifting

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Hanstag

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My new horse will pick her front feet up no problems but it's the back feet I'm having problems with.

She anticipates that I want her to lift her back leg and does so but then holds it close to her body and once I have hold she faffs around and kicks out. I grab on for dear life and growl but there comes a point where I'm losing confidence going near her back legs for fear of being kicked !

I have been looking at some NH forums where they emphasise on desensiting with a lead rope and teaching to hold the leg up using this technique - does anyone have any experience of this?

Any help would be gratefully received as I am losing my nerve!
 
my horse does it when his back is sore so i would get it checked out as he was completely changed after physio its because they find it difficult when they are tight :)
 
Paddy sometimes does this , especially if i happen to do his feet whilst he's eating , i know i should wait!! He tends to lift his leg really high , but i find if i take a gentle hold and just ask him to relax , bringing his hoof down and slightly rotating it to where i want it , he will visibly relax. When i'm thinking straight it always pays to tie him up and make sure he's standing square.
 
I must admit I usually attempt to do it whilst she's at her haynet and not concentrating (which is most of the time when she's in!). I don't usually tie up either so I will do that next time and make sure she is square
 
This is not unusual with a new horse. Its quite a big deal for a horse to give you its hind leg because from their point of view they are at their most vulnerable, because in effect it prevents them from running from a perceived danger.
It may help to have someone standing at her head to reassure her. When you go to pick up her hind, stroke her rump and work your hand down her leg, rather than just picking up the foot. Be patient and reassuring and as her confidence in you grows, and she becomes more settled in her new environment, she will be less inclined to need to protect her self.
Wear a hat, stand close to her so if she does kick, she hasn't got enough room to hurt you. Been quietly persistent, if she snatches the foot away,don't react, just run your hand down her leg again and pick the foot up and repeat until she allows you to complete the task.
If she doesn't stand still, ask the handler to bring her back to the spot from which she moved, hopping around is not allowed.
 
hi i might be way off but it could be shivers ,my boy does this and he has shivers ,it does not really affect him only when picking his feet out .Hi is fine to shoe i have a really good farrier .
 
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