Picking up her feet!

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horsebenny

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Any tips on how I can encourage my new horse to pick up her feet for me? She is 16.3, TBxsomthing (prob Irish Draught)' 5 rising 6. She just doesn't seem to like it, particularly her hind feet which she will 'plant' and then 'kick', not in a serious way, when I get her to lift them. I have been using positive affirmation when she does it, along with strategic use of extra strong mints! Just wondered if anyone has any tips?

Thanks

B
 
Mine did the same, he's the same age but this was when I first had him and he was just 4. Same breeding. I think he was just one of those Irish horses that didn't have a lot of early handling, there was lots of things he just didn't know and it has been a slow learning curve of getting him settled and used to it all. He pretty much didn't like being touched anywhere so we had to desensitise all of him. He was a quick learner though.

For picking up feet I used a big pocketful of nuts and slowly gave him a couple at a time when he had a foot up, starting with the fronts. In the end he's stand happily with a front foot up while I slowly gave him nuts a few at a time. Backs were harder as I was further away from the nut-eating end, but you can still reach a hand towards the front with a treat. Worked in the end.

It did take longer for him to be happy with the farrier. Once he was happy with them being picked up I had to spend a long time banging them, moving them about, picking them up higher, and so on. It's all fine now.
 
My boy point blank refused to pick up any of his feet when I got him & a fellow livery advised me to treat him every time he did so much as move a foot when asked. It took ages but worked, he is very greedy so that made it easier. I've had him a year and he now picks all four up without me even asking (was well pleased with myself when he did it for the first time!), he does still look for treats but now ges a scratch on his neck and lots of praise instead!
 
If the mints are costing you a fortune just give ONE pony nut! They will be more than happy with those. Sounds like just be patient and keep trying There was a good video ? you tube or somewhere of someone doing exactly what you are trying to achieve. Am no expert but you sound like you are doing right and hat.
 
Thanks for those tips, I used the 'feeding treats while holding the foot' method last night and it really worked - she is even flexible enough to reach round when I am at her back feet and the 'kicking' was far less than previously. I'll keeping plugging on...

Cheers

B
 
I had exactly the same with my 4/5 year old ISH. It took a lot of time and patience to sort out. My farrier was fantastic he said straight away lack of handling but he also found out that like so many she hated holding her foot up if you tried to pick it up by the cannon bone. She is so much better if you pick her feet from the feather and hold the foot not the cannon....he said there are loads of horses that prefer this.
 
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