Picking up back legs

[1alex1moose]

I recently bought a 3yo horse who is completely useless at picking up his feet. After a couple of weeks we have the fronts sorted and he'll stand all day to hold them and will let you pull them about, bang them etc.... but the backs are a different matter.
I can brush them, poke and prod them etc but as soon as I try and lift them off the floor he turns into the worlds worst fidget and will step back and forwards loads of times before picking it up - he's usually half asleep! he then waves it about and if you continue to hold on he kicks out. not at you just out... it's becoming really annoying!! I'm probably not helping because if he starts kicking I let go but I'd rather keep my limbs!! I've tried picking it up just off the floor then back down, then for longer but as soon as you hold it he starts. i've tried patting, praising with voice, treats when he holds it up at all, a smack when he kicks out... and nowt seems to be helping much. Help?!?!

 

[hussar]

If you're absolutely sure it's not a pain-related reaction (back OK etc), then it's a question of being persistent but making sure you're safe. My youngster was very quick with his back legs to start with and I was given the following tip (which worked for me): use a length of something soft - old towel or similar - looped round the pastern. You can then stand at his side and take a firm hold of the ends but be distanced from the hoof when he starts kicking out. Mine very soon gave up when he realised that the thing holding his foot up wasn't going away.

 

[YorkshireLass]

He is young and unbalanced. He is not being bloody minded, he is worried about falling over.

Hind feet are worse than fronts with youngsters... they are further from the brain and the back end if probably bum high. Nature is quite unfair as to how it makes young horses develop. The back end goes up, the horse works out how to coordinate it... then it goes up again and the horse has to grow in to its body and learn how to use it all over again.

Keep on as you are. If he lifts a hind even a little say good boy and then replace it. He will soon get the idea.

Give him every chance. Get him standing square on an even surface which is not slippy in any way. Before going in to pick up a hind make sure he is expecting it by making him shift his weight on to the other legs. If you see him resting a hind, that is a good time to try because he is relaxed and there is no weight on it. Try not to whip his feet out from under him... talk to him and say 'up, up!' or whatever yuo like every time you want him to pick up.

 

[leo_04]

I had a similar problem with my horse as a 2 year old, I agree with hussar to put something round his pastern. I used a thick webbed lunge line as it was long enough that I couldn't get kicked. Be very gentle though and don't hold it up for too long. Some just take a bit longer than others-he'll get it eventually. Good luck!

 

[Daisychain]

Yes i agree with this, i use a soft lead rope, lowered around the fetlock and lift up the hind foot, do not put it down until he has stopped kicking, so he learns that is his reward for keeping his leg still.

 

[Kenzo]

It took a couple of weeks for the front so expect a little longer for the back, if they have not been used to having their feet picket up from being a foal/yearling etc then your 3 year old it bound to object, as it will feel strange and he's at that age where he's stronger, bigger and wants his own way.

Once you have picked the foot up, put it down again, don't expect to pick it up and hold up while you pick his feet out. Put it down before he does.

Eventually he will put his weight onto his other leg and put the leg in a rest position for you. Each time extend the time of the foot in your hand and plenty of praise and patience. Eventually he will keep it up.

However if he is showing aggression and kicking out at you with his ears back etc then you must nib this in the bud now before it becomes a dangerous habit, he must learn that his is not acceptable and therefore a big smack under the belly straight away without a second to spare will shock him and make him think twice about doing it again.

Sounds harsh, you will only need to do it once or twice but it works. A little slap on the neck will make no difference (if that is what you call a smack).

Its important that you sort this, specially at age 3, because there's going times when he needs his feet trimming/showing and you really don't want to see him putting up a fight with your farrier, because this will then stir up future shoeing problems.

Been in exactly the same position as you, done the above, be patient but be firm, lots of praise when he does as you ask.

Don't worry you will get there in the end...I did!

 

[soph21]

Perseverance, just as above really.

My yearling is similar, his fronts are fine but when it comes to the back its a bit tricky, as I have no-one to help me its hard! But today my mate came up to help me do fencing and we pampered him, while my friend held him I picked out all 4 feet! Ive got the farrier coming in 2 weeks so Im going to get friend to come up more and I'll get him more used to it! So Im chuffed!!!

 

[liveryblues]

I used to spend up to 45mins sometimes trying to get my youngster to pick up his backs. He was so unbalanced. not nasty just used to figit move around etc. he wasnt great at being tied up at that point so it was v easy for him to keep moving. I just used to wait until he stood and calmly try again. (a couple of times when i had his fronts he fell right over silly baby!) Like every one says... quiet determination! I just used to get him to shift his weight abit at first then i just got hold of his feathers,(at this point sometimes he did used to spring his leg back n forth to get me to let go, i wouldnt call it kicking out as he deffo wasnt trying to get me, i just held on as best i could) then when he did finally lift it i used to put it straight back down, then lift for a little longer etc. it prob took us a good couple of months of quiet persistance but we got there.