Some advise please?

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mykingRuairi

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Hi,
I have recently brought (just over a month ago) a young cob from Ireland, and Im having trouble with picking up his front feet (back feet seem to be fine).
He made remarkable progress over the last month, I then moved yards, and things seemed to have changed?
I know he can do it (as he has before!), but the battle of it is becoming a bit disheartening (especially when hes dancing around the stable and I get knocked- even tied up).
I always do the same routine (right front,right back to left back, left front) I have tried leaving him untied in the stable and putting a distraction in (haynet etc).

Is there something else I can do/ try? (to make it less painful for me and him)
Thank-you!
 
Can you tie up outside of the stable to give yourself a bit more space? H was a nightmare to pick up feet with when I first got him but I just persevered with him and made sure I never allowed him to snatch his hooves away from me once I got them up. Just keep at it.
 
It is unusual to start with the right hand side, most horses are used to things being done on the near, left, side first as that is the side you general lead on, put on headcollars etc. some of mine would probably think twice if I started on the off side, worth a try and see if it helps. Using cross ties may reduce the moving about or doing them outside where he may feel more like working with you.
 
My friend has a horse who did similar. She found that spending a couple of minutes stroking his neck, then slowly extending down the shoulder stroking and massaging, then after a few minutes stroke to the top of his leg, slowly progressing down to his hoof and picking his foot up really slowly in one steady movement while still stroking his leg. Its time consuming but after a while of doing it as often as she could, making a big fuss of him when he did well, her horse is brilliant now and barely flinches :) it might be worth a shot? Could it be he is in pain, or has a memory of it being painful when having his front picked up, possibly from a poor shoeing or a bad experience when he was with a previous owner?
Hope you find a solution soon
 
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Had same problem with my PRE/andalusian- he would leap around and try pushing people over when it came to his front feet. Please don't, as others have said, use cross ties on him or try to restrain him- it'll do nothing but create an even more tense, frustrated horse. Equally, you shouldn't do everything on one side- you'll end up with a horse which gives priority to one side and so, becomes stiff and loses elasticity during ridden work- there is absolutely no reason why your horse should always have his feet picked up starting on one side. Basically, in my case it was simply him being pushy but do check the horses feet with the farrier if your problems continue. Anyway, if you can get the foot up don't let go, even if he's jumping around or whatever- he can't get far with only three feet. ;) soon as he realises you're not someone he can just push around he should gradually stop, but don't by any means hang onto his foot if he's becoming truly dangerous. Also, you can try picking up his feet at random times, take a hoof pick with you when you do to catch him and do them in his field- don't let him associate having his feet done and being naughty with one particular place. As person above said, if he's particularly tense then just rubbing his legs for 5mins, letting him relax, could also be beneficial. Did all this with my PRE and now he picks them up perfectly, it's difficult if your horse is naturally of a dominant disposition but if you establish clear boundaries you'll get there soon. Good luck!
 
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Just keep on routinely picking his feet up - daughters pony could take 20 minutes to pick up one foot when we first got him. Daughter would persevere and within a few months he picks up each foot before she gets there. We leave headcollar on and haynet to pick at and he knows we pick up when we bring in and after exercise. Don't lose heart.
 
Thank-you for your replies!

I have tried what has been suggested- and tying him up outside the stable (loosely) and not letting go so easy seems to work-mostly, Very pleased!

I have spoken with my farrier about it (because he is also a pain for him at the start of the visit!) and he suggests the same- hanging onto him, because after a short while, he gives up and stands perfectly!
 
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