Picking up feet (esp back ones)

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Walrus

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Any tips greatly appreciated for getting a horse used to picking its hind legs up. Horse is quite nervy in general, had very obviously been hit with the rope - flinches very badly at sudden movements. Doing lots of general handling, brushing etc. and he responds well to this. However having probs with his legs - picked out both front feet today with someone else holding him and gently sliding hands down his legs. However, went to pick up his back feet and he lashes out sideways very fast and high. By the end of our session I was gently brushing the top thigh area and my plan is to keep repeating this and move down. Anyone got any other ideas or experiences (apart from wear a hat and get very fast reflexes)!

Thanks in advance
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Blue peter time

Get a broom handle - wrap some old cloth around it, use old shirt arm (or any other arm) to hold it together. Use a big glove filled with foam / anything else you can find

Then you use this all over the horse until they are totally used to it

If they lash out, no problem as this arm can take a kick without needing A&E

Keep doing this until the horse doesn't react at all, you are then safe to get in there
 
the 'hand on stick' is great! and lots of scratching in scratchy places, patting and praise for progress and such.
We have a pony who was like this, perseverance pays =]
good luck!
x
 
same as cotswolds but i used a crop instead,couple of short sessions a day,just rubbing it over the bits he didn`t mind,then further down legs a bit at a time each session.

another thing i find good is once you are able to pick the foot up,put it down before the horse snatches it away,this way,it is your decision when to let go.gradually hold it for longer (i do not attempt to pick feet out at this stage,they have to learn the handleing bit 1st)
 
Hand on a stick is a great idea. Once he's happy with you touching him the next step is to make yourself a 'walking stick' covered with a bit if padding, and use the bent end to ask for the leg to be picked up by putting it around the back of the fetlock and pulling the leg gently forwards
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