Horses and hoof oil question

RuthnMeg

RuthnMeg

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Just curious to know if any one else's horses object to hoof oil being applied?
Some of you may know about my little, but ever growing yearling NF filly. She is handled every day, groomed, feet picked out, taken for walks around the farm, leaves the other mares, learning to tie up and has had her first bath. Apart from a few to be expected very minor 'wobbles' she is and has been a good girl.
Then I thought I'd paint her toes - part of a mini make-over.. Oh no.... I had dancing, prancing, stamping, twirling, striking out and kicking out. Without getting cross with her, or getting kicked, I perserved and eventually achieved some slap happy miss-a-lot oil to her feet/legs!
Ok, I thought, arhh, Meg will show you what it is about, so I started to polish her toes too and much to my horror she also showed a dancing/high kick manauvre! Well, after a talking to, she was fine, but it crossed my mind that it isn't their favourite thing to be 'pedicured' so to speak - but why is this? They can't feel it, Meg for one is very used to it - for shows and make overs, and neither objected to the smell.
Ideas and thoughts on this please!
 
That seems like very odd behaviour for having hoof oil applied. If it was a new experience, or they didnt like the smell, i guess this could have had an effect. They should feel it being applied. Strange tho. Maybe its just something they could get use too.

But in terms of using hoof oil, id rather leave it till the odd show perhaps. I dont like using it. Lots of people think it moisturises hooves, which it doesnt. It can actually have a drying effect, because it prevents the hooves regulating its own moisture content.
 
My boy is an absolute tit when it comes to hoof oil. You have to hold a foot up to get it on. He has been like it all the time we have have had him! Why ....who knows?
 
The irish is a bit funny about one of his back feet being done and lifts it really quickly so i normally end up splattering his leg , but the other three feet - no problem - god knows why , i use the kevin bacon stuff , the black one which everyone told me stinks , but mine doesn't so it's not that...mad buggers!
 
ngrace said:
Have you tried doing it just without the oil to see if it is the smell?

Personally never seen it happen!
Click to expand...

I did try with just a brush, but I think she had it in her head that I had a knife and was going to chop her foot off!? lol She sniffed the bottle and didn't object, in fact she wanted to sniff it more. I could put my hand on her legs without problem, but with a hoof oil brush....... nah.

Something to work on me thinks....
 
I have heard of this before - Infact im sure it was somone on here!
Try searching for the post.

:)
Basically it seems to be somehting to do with the brush - And they can (just feel it) - Try using the hoof pick like a brush, then use the brush (a new clean one!) - all down her legs, starting on an 'easy' patch like shoulder.

definatley something else to add to your bombproof working sessions!
Good Luck :)
 
My old pony was petrified at the stuff and he was just about as bomb proof as they came.
At camp for the inspection I was asked why I didn't have hoof oil on and my reply was he's scared of it. She said don't be stupid tried to put some on him and he went nuts. Luckily we didn't have any marks deducted! :D
 
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