She acts like she wants to kick me and I don't really feel like a migraine so I need to find out the best way to train her to let me mess with her back feet so I won't have her falling all over the place when the farrier ties up her foot to shoe her.
2007-01-29 09:22:42 · 7 answers · asked by Lucky 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
We start our foals with rubbing them all over and picking up the feet , but when they get that large you have to get their respect by first moving their feet when they misbehave . Teach her to move forward , backward and side to side . Only let her stand still when she does it right . Now take your 10' lead and start to flip it around her legs , slowly and with rhyme ( she might move ) , just put her back where she was and keep it up ( don't hurt her ) but do it to all four legs , it will take a while
Now if all this don't work or if you don't want to get that close to her hind feet then you can use a broom to rub her hind legs till she is used to it and won't kick at it .
. When she will stand still for that then start rubbing her legs up and down , if she moves make her feet move then put her back where she was and start all over . When she will stand still for that try to pick up her foot , if you can hold it for just a second and let down just before she pulls it away . Do this over and over again till she will let you . If she fights you , move her feet and try again .
This will take time , just keep at it slowly and don't scare her or hurt her .Good luck and don't you get hurt either .
2007-01-29 10:33:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I have used in the past with success is a soft broom. This allows the horse to get used to having something brushing over it's back legs and still will keep you out of harm's way. After the horse accepts being " broomed", then you can advance to handling her back legs. Do it slowly and keep reassuring her that you mean no harm. This can also help with a horse that is in a stall that you are cleaning. I have seen horses kick when shavings gets tossed around their back legs. This helps them not to be so sensitive. Good Luck!
2007-01-29 11:25:27 · answer #2 · answered by Paint Pony 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Skittle-Bad idea, you dont want to wrap anything around her leg as if she got free that could be many many expensive surgeries or just no more mare.
First off if she is upset about you being around her hind feet at all she needs to get used to that before you even think about picking them up. Do this by just playing around them, brush them alot, rub towels on them..etc. Once she is totally used to you playing and being around them then it is time to think about picking them up.
What you need to do is pretty much the same as you would do to pick up a foot regularaly just slower and with more purpose. Run your hand down her leg, push your weight against her leg and squeeze right above her pastern THis should make her pick up her foot. As soon as she does hold it only long enough that it is still and in your hand and then release it gently and praise her. Do this about twice a day on each foot and repeat for as long as it takes for her to do this willingly .
2007-01-29 09:38:10 · answer #3 · answered by countryjumper64 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
DO NOT USE FORCE BAD BAD IDEA SKITTLES. I have worked with many young horses that don’t like there feet picked up or abused older horses that where afraid to pick up there legs just take it slow with her and never no matter what anyone tells you tie your horse up in a way that they can get hurt.
2007-01-29 10:24:14 · answer #4 · answered by horses 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to have a horse with the same problem, My dad taught me what to do. everyday i went out and i rubbed his legs with linament working my way from his shank down his leg to his hooves, i massaged his legs and talked calmly to him, it took a few weeks to see any progress but he slowly not only got used to his massages and linament, but he began letting me pick up his and clean his hooves. also are you coming down from the shin and wrapping your hand around his fetlock as you pick up his hoof? some horses feel anxious when they have a foot of the ground while standing and they feel more comfortable when your hand is stabilizing thier foot by firmly gripping around the entire fetlock. hope this helps.
2007-01-29 09:34:11 · answer #5 · answered by elmo4466 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you need someone to help, loop a lead rope around the leg(not tight and not surrounding, so she could step out if she freaked) and wiggle it till she lifts then hold it like that for a few seconds, then release. She should even tually stop
2007-01-29 09:29:03 · answer #6 · answered by Skittles 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would suggest starting off forceably picking up her back foot and then reward her with her favorite munchie. Each time you pick up a back foot, reward her. Get her to connect the reward and allowing her back foot to be picked up.
2007-01-29 09:31:48 · answer #7 · answered by Veneta T 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋