Owners with bad backs do you dread picking out hooves??

Passtheshampoo

Passtheshampoo

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Just wondered how other owner/riders cope if like me you have a long standing back injury. I've had 3 vetebra in my lumbar spine fused so to make life easier my 3 live out 24/7 all year round.
One of my main problems is picking out their feet. Has anyone taught their horse to rest their hoof on something whilst it's being picked out? My lot are all very sensible sorts and as picking out their feet just about cripples me for the day I wondered if anyone has come up with a solution? It's not the lifting the hoof that's the problem but the bending and holding the weight of the hoof whilst I clean it. Surely I can't be the only owner with a back injury that finds this task the hardest to manage.............
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I also have a really bad back after my horse went over backwards on me (broke in 2 places, ruptured discs between shoulderblades and muscle problems) as well as being stupidly hypermobile!

I havnt taught my horses to rest their feet on anything bit sounds like a plan - if you come up with any other days please do let me know! I find it so hard, as well as mucking out, carrying water buckets etc but have just moved so all the mucking out, feeding etc gets done for me and they have automatic water fillers - feet is deff the worst now! So you are not alone
 
I get a bad back, but nothing like your sort of problem. When it's bad, I have to sort of squat to pick out feet - my boys are both quite good though.
 
You could try resting the hoof toe-on-the-ground so you are not supporting the weight. One of my ponies does hold his feet up nicely for me so I dont have to lift/hold it myself - this makes it easier, but the other one is not so cooperative. I do find that doing the job near a sturdy fence helps as I can use the fence to haul myself back upright
 
When my back goes I can't do anything and it takes days before I have mobility back. At this time I have help with my horses as I literally can't move. Its very dibilitating as I don't get any warning and its caused by things i've done thousands of times before and will doubtless do thousands of times in the future.

I'm gonna start taking up swimming as hopefully it will help as I think my problem is musculature, although I slipped a disc years ago and prob have a weakness.
 
I have suffered from a bad back in the past, although not to the extent of yours. I used to find doing stud holes was almost impossible, but now I sit on a milk crate and rest my horse's foot in my lap to do them. Probably highly dangerous but my back is a lot better for it!
 
I have the same problem, although I do train my horses to pick up when I tap the top of the leg. Whilst I'm picking the hooves out they have to hold the foot up themselves, if they do start to lean on me I tap the front of the fetlock joint with the hoofpick, not hard, but enough to make them re balance. My old horse was a dream, my newer one not so good, but she's learning.
 
Highly dangerous, but I sit on an upturned bucket to pick my horses feet out/ clean stud holes. I have no other option, if i bend down holding the weight of my horse's hoof I will not be able to stand back up for about a week!!!!! All my horses are generally pretty good though.
 
I have a bad back too. When it's not too bad I can manage to pick out the feet of one horse, but anymore than that, and I get stuck in a bent over postion and have to lie down to straighten up again.

For all other jobs that have to be done close to the ground, I get a little stool and sit down (obviously this is not ideal, but I haven't been kicked yet)
 
When my back is bad I either a) sit on the mounting block and rest his hooves on my knees or b) sit on the floor and do it! Not very safe, I'm sure, but when nearly a tonne of Shire horse thinks it's a fun game to try and put as much weight on you as possible it's hard enough. Add a bad back and stuff it, I'll take the risk of being kicked/trampled on!
 
I can just about cope with feet picking but it's hell on earth when one has an abscess and the rigmarole of tubbing, poulticing, wrapping etc. It kills my back, I often can't stand up straight when I'm finished. I dread abscesses.
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Sorry to hear it's not just me struggling but comforting to know others understand what I'm going through. Jennbags I can't squat due to nerve damage in my left leg as it cramps up as soon as I try.
I've never tried sitting down to do their hooves and I appreciate it's risky and only to be tried with a quiet horse (thankfully my lot are good), but that's something I'll try. I'm sure the Health & Safety people are cringing at the thought but hoof care is a vital part of caring for your horse and can't just be ignored because your back's not up to it.
Any more suggestions gratefully received...........
 
I struggle too. the older horse is fine, if she starts leaning in to me a little poke gets her holding her own weight, or I can rest a leg on my thigh, but the yearling presents a whole new set of challenges.....
 
have you thought about a hoof jack? farriers use them to rest heavy horses feet on as they tend to lean... about £150 though!
 
I neal or sit on a box, BUT I have to hold on to there tails to help me pull myself up, when clipping I sit on a box under them clipping and legs I sit right behind and clip up between his back legs. Which I have just done today. No health & safty in my yard.
I trot him up the yard fast on the concreat that normally cleans his feet out.
 
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I can just about cope with feet picking but it's hell on earth when one has an abscess and the rigmarole of tubbing, poulticing, wrapping etc. It kills my back, I often can't stand up straight when I'm finished. I dread abscesses.
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I am dealing with this at the moment and I am constantly in pain its a nightmare....I do find it very difficult and at the moment am resorting to having the help of a 67 year old lady at the yard....
 
I've had 3 vertebrae fused in my lumbar spine too so I sympathise
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I am OK picking my own horse's feet out each day, but about once a week I groom and pick out feet for 4 donkeys. It must be their height because that KILLS me by the end of the session. I have to go to the car and get some painkillers. It can't be the weight in this situation. I think it is the stance being prolonged, just the same as I find a lot of hoovering hard.
 
glad to know im not the only one, currently have to do stretching exercises with my horse (you know where you stretch the hindlegs forward) but pretty sure it is a workout for me too. Its not the actual doing of the task but its the getting up after it. Ive been advised to stretch myself, but like every horse owner i look after the ned but not myself!
 
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I have the same problem, although I do train my horses to pick up when I tap the top of the leg. Whilst I'm picking the hooves out they have to hold the foot up themselves, if they do start to lean on me I tap the front of the fetlock joint with the hoofpick, not hard, but enough to make them re balance. My old horse was a dream, my newer one not so good, but she's learning.

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I do the same
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