The problem of trimming Shetland feet

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Patchworkpony

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Given that most blacksmiths hate trimming Shetlands, because of the bending down, how do you deal with their feet on a regular basis if you can't get a professional to come out specially to trim them if you only have say a couple of miniatures? Does anyone do the feet themselves? Is it legal? Is it successful or too dangerous for the ponies?

Would love some 'tinies' but seriously worried about keeping their feet healthy. I see SO many Shetlands with long unbalanced feet, even at proper studs. Any suggestions welcome.
 
Yes it is perfectly legal to do yourself there are people on here who do their riding horses too :-) but I don't see why a farrier would refuse to come out over it, if the pony is trained to pick up their feet etc and stand still then what's the problem!
 
Our farrier has no problem trimming our Shetland. there feet are much lighter, and less likely to hurt if they kick, so i think it works both ways.
 
All blacksmiths in our area really moan about doing Shetlands and seem to be unreliable about turning up to do them - or so I have been told.
 
My farrier moans about his back when he's trimming the shetland but its all to disguise how much he likes her really. He often just kneels down on the floor making himself more mini height lol.
His other idea is making her lie down with her feet in the air :rolleyes:
 
Patchworkpony said:
All blacksmiths in our area really moan about doing Shetlands and seem to be unreliable about turning up to do them - or so I have been told.
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Sorry are you talking about actual farriers or blacksmiths? they are different :o
Honestly I'd have a ring round the registered farriers yourself and see what they say, don't rely too much on heresay from other people.
 
I did think of a platform but the thought of her rolling over with feet up in the air seems more amusing, keep meaning to actually try and train her to do it just to see the look on his face when the small barrel drops and rolls :D

Anyone know quite how to go about teaching them to lie down on command as opposed to just whenever she fancies a roll or a nap?
 
Our farrier doesn't mind shetlands - just the people who own them that don't get him out regularly enough to trim them! When he does eventually get called out their feet are so long that trimming them can take over an hour apparently.

And re the moaning - whatever sort of horse you have no doubt there are some farriers who are always going to moan ;)
 
The problem is not the moaning it is farriers who say they are not taking on any more new clients if you say you just have Shetlands and nothing else. In fact I know of one stud where they lost their farrier as he said the bending got his back and he didn't want the job anymore. Does anyone trim their own?
 
The farrier that comes to do my two minis just kneels down to do them! I had no idea that some farriers wouldn't come out, maybe I'm lucky to have him but he never complains! And like somebody else mentioned it works both ways as they are easier to deal with...usually!
 
My farrier is over 70 now and moaned when I told him I'd bought two new 'horses', took one look at them and said that they 'weren't horses, they were stuffed toys and should be on wheels'! Now though they are two well behaved girls who quietly stand and pick up their feet for him and he's done in no time at all. In between I try to keep them rasped down anyway. They do only have little tiny feet after all!
 
DizzyDoughnut said:
I did think of a platform but the thought of her rolling over with feet up in the air seems more amusing, keep meaning to actually try and train her to do it just to see the look on his face when the small barrel drops and rolls :D

Anyone know quite how to go about teaching them to lie down on command as opposed to just whenever she fancies a roll or a nap?
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I found a description of something called the natural method to teach a horse to lie down.

from this site http://www.wikihow.com/Teach-Your-Horse-to-Lie-Down
Lying down is something horses do on impulse, when they feel safe and comfortable, so is not an easy thing to teach them to do on command.

1
Watch your horse before, during and after activities. When a horse lies down in paddock and wild, you will notice a trend. Horses rarely lie down on their own, and usually they do it when there is a horse near by. This is in relation to the fight or flight reaction. When they feel safe, they will relax and lie down, though one horse is always standing alert in case of danger. This too happens in paddock conditions. Some horses feel so safe they lie down when no horse is around, however this is due to captivity and breeding.
2
Take note of exercises that make your horse have a reaction such as lying down or rolling. When asking a horse to lie down, it is the beginning of a roll, without the over. No horse will simply roll over unless they are already sitting. Some horses have a nature to roll in mud and water, others in dust or sand. To begin teaching this trick, learn what makes your horse react.
3
Have your horse on a lunge rope, and take it out to the dirt/sand/mud and watch its reaction. You can tell when a horse is about to roll, as they usually paw the ground, and you will see a buckling at the front knees. As the horse goes down, calmly walk up to it and all the while talk to it with calm reassuring words. If the horse stands, step back and reassure it.
4
Allow the horse to sit, and by now you should have moved up to its shoulder. This is a fast reaction, so keep aware of tail end and legs at all times. Once the horse is sitting, reward and praise.
5
Move towards your horses shoulder/front, and calmly stroke its head and neck. You want to reassure your horse that it doesn't need to get up or roll fully. At this point, some horses will be happy to comply, while others not so much.
6
Carefully kneel at your horses front, be wary of legs, and ensure you have a "get out" move, such as backwards or sideways away from horses striking point.
7
Gently put your hands on the horses neck and with a steady but firm push, (without forcing the horse, as they will react and stiffen up) allow the horse to fall onto his neck. At this time, you may be able to let your horse rest his head in your lap.
8
Pat and stroke your horse's neck, and give praise. Try to use key words such as down, lie or even sleep. Make sure the command word is short and different to any other commands you use. Whoa and Go sound the same, so keep this in mind.
9
Allow your horse to lie down for a few minutes, and gradually remove yourself from the picture. Move to a nearby location within reach of your horse, all the while repeating your key word. During this time, accustom yourself to where your horse is looking and how he reacts to your standing position. Note this position for future reference.
10
Ask your horse to stand by using another key word, such as up or something to ask him to sit up and then stand. As you say this NEW word, say it with a positive and energetic tone. Such as you would when asking for canter on the lunge with a lazy horse.
11
As he stands, continue saying the word, and once he has stood up, reward and praise again. Use food treats or firm strokes or even a belly rub. Whatever your horse loves, use this.
12
Repeat this method until your horse responds faster each time. Eventually, you will only have to use a few key words, and your horse will react just like when you lunge them, such as walk, trot and canter and halt. Some people suggest using physical signs, such as like that used with seals and dolphins. Try not to have your hand fly up or fast, as this quick movement may startle your horse, causing them to be nervous or spooky. Try using a downwards gesture, e.g. hand palm up, about hip height, and then a quick movement to your side. You can then use this command in the other direction, at side and palm facing up move your arm to hip height. (Down and up.)
13
Always finish on a good note. If you horse doesn't lie down, and simply sits, that's ok, praise and then ask him to stand. You should try to teach the horse the basic commands, such as down and up as you will need both for this trick stunt.
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FinnishLapphund said:
I found a description of something called the natural method to teach a horse to lie down.
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Ahhhh know what I'll be doing tomorrow now. Just started clicker training with her as well so hopefully that will be useful. She will happily stay lying down while you're around far (to much effort to bother getting up) and always rolls when she goes out so hopefully will be easy :D
 
My farrier is more than happy to trim mine but he has insisted that they are used to picking up their feet and are well mannered for him as he has come across some very ill disciplined shetlands and minis. Mine are excellent and don't move when they are being trimmed. Makes me a very proud mammy. :D:D
 
Just thought I'd also add that it takes the farrier approx. 2 mins per hoof, so 8-10 mins to do each mini and I pay £30 for both. So that's £30 for 20 minutes work, he can't complain really! Plus I know he always books me in when he's travelling past to do a proper job so his fuel costs are the same as I am on his drive to/from home.
 
I trim all my own ponies, and I don't like doing the Shetland either...

Prefer to make sure he's doing plenty of road-work, which keeps them worn naturally, so I don't have to do it very often. :o)
 
I am actually waiting for the farrier to arrive to trim my two Shetlands.
He never complains but has commented that some mini owners leave it too long between trims and the ponies get a bit wild.

I remember that Thelwell cartoon where the blacksmith is bent down peering at a Shetland type's hoof. He is complaining that they play havoc with his eyesight!

Maybe that is the problem.
 
I own a Shetland pony stud and a farrier would be doing ponies of all ages and I two lots over two days. I’d also be charged 30-40 quid each pony. Most farriers run a mile if you mention the world Shetland let alone lots of Shetlands because they re hairy muddy awkward individuals compared to a stabled competition horse in a nice yard of which most yards have yard vet and farrier anyway. Farriers run business and it’s more economical for them to go shoe a number of horses than it is to break their back to trim a Shetland pony and therefore they decline. I had to learn to trim my own wand a it is very hard work I need to build a platform.
I do have Shetlands on the Shetland grand national team with their owners and getting them racing shoes isn’t a problem because that’s as much as showing a horse if not more as shoes have to be made from scratch.
 
Fast & Furious Shetland said:
I own a Shetland pony stud and a farrier would be doing ponies of all ages and I two lots over two days. I’d also be charged 30-40 quid each pony. Most farriers run a mile if you mention the world Shetland let alone lots of Shetlands because they re hairy muddy awkward individuals compared to a stabled competition horse in a nice yard of which most yards have yard vet and farrier anyway. Farriers run business and it’s more economical for them to go shoe a number of horses than it is to break their back to trim a Shetland pony and therefore they decline. I had to learn to trim my own wand a it is very hard work I need to build a platform.
I do have Shetlands on the Shetland grand national team with their owners and getting them racing shoes isn’t a problem because that’s as much as showing a horse if not more as shoes have to be made from scratch.
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Welcome to the forum, this thread you have bounced is nearly 11 years old....
I've had shetlands too over the years, never had a problem with farriers doing them. All taught to stand politely.
 
Patchworkpony said:
The problem is not the moaning it is farriers who say they are not taking on any more new clients if you say you just have Shetlands and nothing else. In fact I know of one stud where they lost their farrier as he said the bending got his back and he didn't want the job anymore. Does anyone trim their own?
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I'm currently looking for a new farrier and have this problem. I've tried three so far and all have said they aren't taking on new people, I suspect because I have two minis.

ETA - Just noticed the date of the thread!
 
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