Teaching youngsters to pick up feet??

[1985]

Posting for a friend, thoughts much appreciated!

How do you teach your youngsters 2/3 yr olds) to pick up thier feet properly for picking out, and to stand for the farrier?
Friend has a 3 yr old horse, who although very well handled and well behaved, struggles when it comes to having her feet picked out. She is nearly there with his back ones, but her front, she will pick up for about 5 seconds, and then lean back and "hop" so much so that if you don't let go it seems like she would go flat on her face! Its almost as though she's thinking that she cannot possible stand on 3 legs, and needs that leg back desperatley!

What would you guys do? Is this just a case of practice makes perfect, and to keep at, everyday etc? Are there any little techniques you use? I think owner is a little reluctant to keep hold of the leg even when she leans back and tries to take it back incase she scares herself.

Any help? xx

 

[tasteofchristmaschaos]

Someone I used to know had a mare who did that, and no matter what they tried, she carried on. On farriers advice, they took her to soft ground (was either sandschool or field, I can't remember) picked up her foot and wouldn't let go. She went down on her knees at the front, but she learnt her lesson and never resisted again. I must stress that they had tried for 4 years to get her to pick her feet up nicely, but she just couldn't be bothered to balance, so it was a last resort.

 

[Ginny24]

Firstly make sure your not picking up too high - that always puts them off balance

Is there anyway someone can stand at the other end and a wall or fence behind the horse to stop the horse moving back/around so much ?? Once they stop bouncing backwards then hold it for an extra second or two then let go and pat/reward. Try doing that a few times - maybe they will get the swing of things ??

 

[Chico Mio]

Ari (5 yo) used to do this when we first had him (three weeks ago). We stopped tying him up to pick his feet out because he used to lean back, snap the safety string and almost land on his bum. So, then I threaded the rope through the string and held it without tying and OH picked out his feet, If Ari leant back the rope went out with him so he couldn't brace against it to steady himself. It took him about four days (picking out twice a day) to realise he could stand up on his own and he is now reasonably happy to stand still.

 

[ofcourseyoucan]

i get my babies (who tie up and well handled) to give me the leg on a foward knee bend stretch then i get hold of foot, mainly toe and pick out then hold, a bit more each day. by 6 to 12 months they are foot perfect and lovrly for farrier. if your friend's is strong and bolshy then you might have to smack!! ask your farrier if he could spend a little time with her to sort this out! (you might need to bung him a fiver but well worth it. they have the technique and strength.)

 

[Cliqmo]

I'm afraid I am an advocate of the 'don't let go' method, assuming you aren't holding them too high/hard and forcing them off balance? Be kind and patient but don't let them get away with it- patience, perseverance and a clear message with lots of reward for doing it right is definitely the way forward

 

[FloydsMum]

Floyd used to do that, just keep hold! they hop about abit but my boys never fallen over, its what the farriers do, also when I was teaching him to pick his feet up at the front, i used to lean into his shoulder as I ran my hand down his leg as it made him to take more weight on the other 3 legs (try it because you can feel the weight shift and it makes it easyer to pick the foot up) before his hoof was up so hes already balanced by the time hes lifted it up.

Good luck let us know how you get on

 

[Enfys]

I wish to God that people would teach their foals to pick and hold up their feet right at the beginning (Lots do I know) it would save so much blood, sweat and tears.

I have recently bought a mare and foal, and at six weeks old this foal leads, comes to call and picks her feet up for you loose in the field and is the sweetest little thing going. I can't take the credit for any of it, someone has started this foal really nicely which is going to make her whole life a heck of a lot easier.

I agree with Ali regarding older horses, hang on and don't let go, and if you have to let go then pick them straight back up again. If you are into clicker training then this can work very well (for some horses) for picking up and keeping it up until told otherwise.