Teaching horse not to kick out when picking out hind feet?

HollyWoozle

HollyWoozle

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My mare has never been the sort to bite or kick before (despite being a bit mad in many other respects). She is always a bit stroppy about having her feet picked out and she hates the farrier, but I have always managed to pick out her feet with no issues at all. Recently she has become a bit free and easy with her hind feet when it comes to me picking them out... she hasn't actually kicked me but I feel like she's thinking about it (fronts are no problem). She's not very forthcoming, tucks them right up and swings them around a bit. She did have a go at our farrier with a hind leg which obviously isn't acceptable and I'd like to nip it in the bud right away before someone is hurt.

It's making me lose my nerve a bit to be honest. I'm just never sure how to go about it and just keep convincing myself I'm going to get booted. Does anyone have any tips for teaching a horse to give their hind feet willingly? I am now always wearing my hat when handling her but the idea of getting kicked freaks me out!

Thank you.
 
i would start by rubbing her back, running my hand down her hind leg and keep asking her to give you her hind legs. when she does, give her a polo immediately. may be she would associate giving the hind legs with rewards...
just a thought...
:)
 
hi. Not sure if this works in a remedial case but when we were teaching our foal to accept his feet being picked out, we started with a walking stick (you can get them for a pound at a charity shop). The good thing about that is that you can keep the stick on the foot, as they kick out, while you stay perfectly safe. Then as soon as the foot is returned to a non-kicking position, you remove the stick so they have a release. gradually you keep the stick on for longer and longer periods. Once you are confident with this you can repeat with the hand. I had a Kelly Marks Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Associate to help me, as the timing can be tricky to master at first. Another thing to wonder about is whether there is any pain in your mare's back legs, pelvis or sacroiliac. See if you can get her checked out for this too. Good luck, hope you have success.
 
If she's been ok until recently then I would suggest that it's uncomfortable for her. She may have tweaked something higher up. I would suggest getting her back etc looked at.
 
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what the others say about having her checked - but if she is all fine try picking up her hind leg and when you feel her leg tense before she kick pull her leg up with both your hands like you are doing a flex test and hold it there until you feel her relax then let your hand down to the level of when you are picking out there hooves and hold it there for a couple of seconds and then lots of praise
sounds confusing I know
 
Thanks all. The vets did find some stiffness in her hind legs once before, but it only shows up on a circle after flexion. I considered if it was uncomfortable, but she has always been difficult and never keen on her hind feet being picked out... just not quite so funny about it as this. Maybe it is worth looking into again though to be sure. :)
 
She couldn't have shivers could she? Is she actually pulling a face when you're picking up her feet or is it more an involuntary movement? Otherwise, has this worsened since it!s got a little cooler overnight. Could be she's a bit stiff and it's a bit uncomfortable. If she's getting on, maybe a joint supplement would help?
 
It's not involuntary, she gives the impression of being annoyed about the whole thing really. I think I might have the vet out this week and maybe if it is the stiffness causing discomfort, could start her on a supplement to help it. Not sure why I didn't think of that before really!
 
How far back are you bringing her hind leg, if you are lifting it just underneath her stifle she has plenty of room for movement and it could be uncomfortable and she just wants to put the leg down, so pick up the hind leg then bring it past her tail she should feel more comfortable and will have no room for movement.
 
My horse has got a bit stiff with his hinds recently and has been a bit funny (ie not lifting) with the farrier. He's never been one to lift his legs though to be honest and expects us to do it most of the time! Lol. However, he has been on supplements on and off. I have started him and my older pony on a joint supplement now from Equine Answers and although I am somewhat sceptical about supplements, both myself and my mum and noticed he is picking up his hinds a lot better. Before, he seemed to have a bit of an issue with the stifle of one hind but he seems ok now. My horse is 22 though.
 
My horse has a spot of arthritis in his hocks (offside slightly worse) and will snap his leg up high and kick out, snatch it off you etc if you are too rough with him. Now we are aware of it the routine is pick up, let him give it a stretch/wobble/shake/pull up high for a couple of seconds etc and then he will immediately give it back to me and he prefers it to be held lower. Now we have this understanding, he's fine.

Just a thought as you mention stiffness in your earlier post.
 
putasocinit said:
How far back are you bringing her hind leg, if you are lifting it just underneath her stifle she has plenty of room for movement and it could be uncomfortable and she just wants to put the leg down, so pick up the hind leg then bring it past her tail she should feel more comfortable and will have no room for movement.
Click to expand...

^^ This was the key with my mare^^

ETS I also draw her legs slightly forward and then back into position. Seems much more relaxed then, and better balanced.
 
My farrier told me not to hold the horse's leg (you know, around the pastern part) when picking out their feet - always to hold the hoof itself. I do this with my mare now and she's a lot better about having feet picked out (she was always a little iffy with the back ones before).
 
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