Problem picking out feet/horse stamping/kicking feet down?

icyfreya

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 June 2010
Messages
177
Location
Devon
Visit site
My horse really doesn't like having his feet picked out, but especially on the right side. He is normally fine with the left front & hind, but the right front he will refuse to pick up, even pick up his front right and hold it there for me bless him!
When he will eventually pick it up, he stamps it down repeatedly - too strongly for me to be able to keep hold of it. I pick it up again and repeat this several times til i get the whole hoof picked out.
Then with his right hind he will do similar, he waves the hoof around, stamps it down, and sometimes kicked it out (not nastily)...How can I tackle this?
I was wondering if it could indicate any health problem/pain, as he is generally super easy/sweet natured/willing to please...but have had saddle checked (for other reasons) and have also had a back person out, who said she thought there may be old trauma to the right hind quarter, but that there wasn't really anything wrong now...It's not just with me, he does it to the farrier too...
 

Bikerchickone

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 September 2008
Messages
2,604
Location
East
Visit site
I'd be inclined to wonder if there was a problem with him carrying his weight on the other side, alternatively maybe he's stiff down that one side? It seems strange that he only does it on one side, I've usually found horses are funny with either the backs or the fronts not down one side, but could be wrong.

One useful tip I was given with the backs when I first had my boy years ago was a hand on the hock when picking the foot up supports them a bit and seems to stop kicking out. It worked with both of mine when they were learning to have their feet picked up, but I don't know if it'll help with a possible pain issue.

If it persists I'd get the vet to have a thorough look over, and maybe get a qualified equine osteopath out?
 
Top