Tips on dealing with nervous youngster's feet

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Sarah B

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I bought my Section A boy 12 days ago, he's 3 in May. He was pretty nervous and wary of being handled when he arrived home, I can now handle him nicely in the stable, touch and groom him all over, put a headcollar on him and lead him around the farm. However his feet are an issue I will need to address as soon as I can.

The previous owner claimed his feet were done just before I bought him - although I am not convinced at this as they look like they could do with a trim (the fronts anyway). She said they had to sedate and twitch him which I am extremely reluctant to do.

Vet came out today to do first vaccs, and suggested I handle his feet as much as I can and if need be we could try some ACP.

However, I am finding it difficult to handle the feet atall. I know it's very early days, and I am prepared to take as long as he needs, but just wanted some ideas how to handle the situation without setting him back or frightening him.
 
Oh I went though all this with the cob when I got him at 3 (have to say at 6 he is absolutely perfect with his feet now). I used a rope around the bottom of the foot to lift it to begin with, this way I could stay out of the way but still be close to his head to reassure him and pat him, if that makes sense? It just takes time and patience I’m afraid.

I never went down to sedating route, I just keep doing lots of times a day.
 
I'm so reluctant to sedate and luckily have a bit of time and he is improving daily which is a blessing. He is not keen being tied up yet - we have had a few dramas! so I'm having to do alot of the handling by holding his head and trying to run my hands down his legs which is hard unless you have spaghetti legs and body!

Oddly, he seems braver with his back end/legs. He is very jittery on the front near fore and near side of his chest.

Patience is the key I guess!
 
Yes I have had the same problems.We have the fronts sorted but he is still a bit wary with his hinds.I started by touching his legs firmly but not picking them up.When he was happy with that I would then lift them for a few seconds gradually increasing the times so I can now pick them out no problem.He still, as I said, has a few issues with his hinds but we are working on that.You need to be firm and consistant and things will improve.
As JoBo said patience is required and a good farrier helps.
 
One thing that Monty Roberts uses which I thought was good for this situation is a fake hand on a stick, he runs that down the horses leg and touches it. I think he kept it on until the horse stopped moving and then took it away as a reward, but it might be worth researching the idea. At least you aren't getting kicked that way!
 
Thanks Digger, he is so desperate to please and try! He will let me brush the whole length of his legs now, and as soon as you run your hand down he seems to understand to pick them up without actually being asked, so it's trying to get that happy-medium between allowing me to touch them and not panicking!
 
What does he do? Strike out and kick or snatch his feet back? What we did with all our babies at work was to use a sock on a stick to stroke their legs and make sure you keep it touching their leg even if they are dancing around/kicking out. They will soon learn that it doesnt matter what they do you're not going to go away. Once they are used to this then you should be able to stroke their legs...front legs are easier to pick up and keep hold of but with back legs I would reccommend a leadrope round the fetlock to pick up and keep hold if they are kicking out-keeps you safely out of the way. For particularly difficult horses our farriers would let us borrow rasps so we could get them used to the noise and feel of them
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i had this with my mare, all 16.2 of her, brush first and get used to that then ask to pick the foot up and let go as soon as any positive movment is made and reward, keep on doing it -within 4 weeks my mare was picking her foot up without any pressure....x
 
Gigglepig, the first few days if he had an inkling of what I was about to do - even if I touched above his knee, he would rush around the stable. He now stands quietly and is starting to let me hold the foot but snatches it away quickly. I have held on a few times, but like I said, don't want to frighten him or worry him into not behaving in the future. I must admit, he almost acts as though he is expecting a whallop afterwards.

I have been talking to him and praising anything positive, he seems to be a quick learner.

Thanks for all your replies - few things for me to try tomorrow!
 
Sounds like you’ve done amazingly well in 12 days. I used ropes and treats with my youngster for two months and she would give all four feet but not politely and not long enough for picking out as she didn’t understand balance. I consulted NH person who advised 30 to 45 minutes practice each day, way more than I’d been doing. Did this for one week, had one session with the instructor to teach balance and weight transfer then the following week had all four trimmed. Echo what others have said, be calm and consistent and you’ll get there. Good luck.
 
Thank you - pony has to take a lot of the credit though as he is a little diamond deep down - I am so pleased with him so far. Luckily I took yesterday and today off work to spend hours with him. Interesting to hear about the time limits - will see how we go again tomorrow.

My other drama - which is probably alot worse is catching him! But that's another story
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(2 hours today!!!!)
 
Agree with everything re ropes and also using hand on stick. (filled rubber glove does very nicely, I also sometimes just use a schooling whip) I find as well that if you have a foreleg held up by rope the second they relax and just hold it there you can sneak them a little bit of carrot to the mouth end. I basically use the rope round the fetlock as it means I have much more hold and they normally can't snatch away easily. I would also say that once you have the leg held up and they are comfortable, then get them used to you touching the foot, banging it with hoof pick etc so they aren't alarmed when they get a trim.
 
Hi Sarah
I had exactly the same problem with my youngster. He was a wild unhandled 6 month old colt when I got him and very flighty. Scared of any contact at all, and reluctant to even take a feed if I was holding the bucket.

Work was slow, labourious and very time consuming, working little and often during the day, using approach and retreat methods. Little by little I could reach out and touch him without him running for his life, within a month he was calling for me and loved a scratch and groom and all four feet could be lifted and held. However, the first farrier visit he had was a scary experience for him, he was afraid of someone else touching him so work started with other family members and liveries.

In the early days he was also uncatchable from the field, so I simply ignored him when I went to collect him, I would poo pick first and then just wander around his field , within the first 20 mins he was following me, so every now and then I turned and gave him a good scratch, so when I eventually clipped a lead rein on he automatically followed me. It has progressed to just calling his name and he will come trotting over.

Just time and patience, and remaining calm yourself.
Work like you have the time, even if you haven't, a horse can sense when you are stressing. Think it will take an hour, and it will take minutes, if you think you have 5 minutes it will take an hour, the horse will make sure of it.
 
12 days is nothing! Regular, consistant practice, starting with a glove on a pole at first if need be, and teach him its ok to have someone touch his legs. Hes only known you 12 days, if hes nervous he isnt going to let you hang on to his escape route
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theres no magic cure- just training and patience
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I use the hand on a stick for touching all over then progress to the old walking stick, padded at the handle, then use this as the hook to hold feet up. You are at at a safe distance away from geting a hoove in your head. Have used this way for years and always found this the safest way.
 
I wasn't expecting miracles after 12 days
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I wanted to add how long I had had him as he has come so far already. It's just sometimes handy to stick a post on here to hear other people's tips and see if anyone does things differently.

He has had a lovely day today out with all the others at the yard and came straight in this afternoon. He seems to have taken two steps back again today with the general handling in the stable, so he has just had a good scratch and cuddle and his tea and put to bed
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Thanks again all of you. I know he is going to be so worth the effort in time. Not sure I will ever be able to part with him! Anyone got a child I can have ?
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