Using food as a distraction when using farrier?

daisydoo

daisydoo

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My filly is 20 months and had a new farrier do her last week (new yard to), so I thought I want to make it a good experience for everyone so soaked some balancer mixed in with hay and she tucked in whilst the farrier got to work, totally relaxed no fidgeting. Should I just try a hay net from now on, as been told feeding whilst having feet done is a bad habit? My plan was only to feed short term though as she is young... I've tried without feed before she's fine with backs but gets a bit impatient with fronts and shakes her legs a bit, sometimes. I do work on her feet daily I might add and will continue to do so.
 
personally I would only use a bucket for a horse that i know is going to play up unless distracted.

In your case I would try without. Haynets (in my opinion, and my farriers!) are not great for when they are having their feet done, as firstly they don't stand very still- pulling at the net, and secondly the farrier ends up covered in hay...

All youngsters will be a bit impatient with their feet at some point, but they need to learn. Mine was like this with her back feet, but by holding on while she shakes her leg about and only putting it down when she's holding it nicely she has learned to control herself!
 
That's what I thought... Do what you need to to make life easier for all! It was the farrier who actually said i shouldn't be feeding her, but a hay nets ok...
 
Oh yeah I refuse to let her stomp her leg down, sometimes I'm literally bear hugging her leg whilst she hops around! I think I need to work on increasing the time every day. Good point about the hay net! I'm slightly anxious about going no food cold turkey as I really don't want her to have a bad experience.... Last farrier smacked her with rasp in stomach when she shook her leg (no food distraction).
 
Our 11 y/o cob x also needs a small feed (just chaff and chopped carrots) to do her front feet only when the nails go in for some reason but it does the trick perfectly as she goes bonkers otherwise! With everything else the farrier does she stands like an angel though.

With your youngster I prob wouldn't make a habit out of feeding bucket food during farrier time as she might learn to expect it and become a problem if you try to stop but I have seen plenty of horses stand nicely with a haynet to keep them occupied to make life easier for the farrier :)
 
I managed to time the farrier with her breakfast time anyway so she would have eaten that anyway. I just soaked it to make it last longer. I guess I'll just keep working on holding her feet up for longer and I'll know when she's ready to stand patiently without food. Or I could just try hay in bucket next time to wean her off...
 
At this point I would just be doing daily feet handling and increacing the time held for, as from what you say, there is no real problem, she is just a baby and testing boundaries by trying to take her foot away.

I would continue as you are and try using just a haynet. I would try and avoid relying on food just in case she played up.

I have no problem using buckets as a distraction for horses who have farrier issues etc- but with a youngster I would suggest this is not necessary with patient and consistent handling.

Speak to your farrier- they should be aware that she is just a baby and handle her firmly but sympathetically.
 
When the Welshie arrived the farrier was a bit of an alien idea for her.
Whilst I knew she wouldn't try and kick or hurt, I knew she'd feel a bit uncomfortable. So I stand giving her all her favorite treats. She now thinks the farriers the best thing since sliced bread!
 
Thanks whisp, yep I think I'm worried if she shakes her leg the farrier may jab her like the last one but obviously I need to prepare her properly to avoid this happening to begin with, but knew she'd be perfect with food.
 
Jazzie said:
Our 11 y/o cob x also needs a small feed (just chaff and chopped carrots) to do her front feet only when the nails go in for some reason but it does the trick perfectly as she goes bonkers otherwise! With everything else the farrier does she stands like an angel though.
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Have you asked your farrier why she might not like the nailing on? It could be pain/discomfort and worth investigating. There are a number of conditions that make the nailing on painful,most of which can be treated. I would also point out that farriers handle more horses in their working week than most of us do in a lifetime. This can make them an excellent source of advice when it comes to how to prepare horses,hold horses etc. They also know the difference between fear,ignorance and naughtiness. If my farrier has to poke my horses I beat myself up for not preparing them better and not spotting the problem and dealing with it .:o
 
Abitodd - yep I did indeed feel crayp when she got a jab as it was my fault I know, but it was her first time and I expected a bit more patience from said farrier but I guess I should have done more to prepare her and I do regret that. Not making excuses just setting the scene. I think she did fab for her first time but that's just me.
 
If I have one that needs food for the farrier then that's what I do. But everytime they get the food further along, till eventually they don't get it till farrier has actually finished.
 
Ours are often tied up with a haynet when shod, I hadn't even given it a thought.

I usually use lickits for youngsters as distractions for first shoes/clips etc. It usually does the trick really well. Wish I could find something for the dentist though!
 
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