How to Pick Up Your Horses Feet
We have all heard this one previously: "No foot, no horse." How correct. Farrier treatment is certainly one of the most vital elements of caring for your horse, and usually not simple unfortunately.
We've all had them - the squirmers who take their shoes away, kick, wigglers, stampers, lethargic leaning horses which are the bane of the farrier's life. Discovery an excellent farrier is hard enough the way it is, so you do not need him to refuse to trim or shoe your horse since your horse is acting like a complete fool. Farriers will always be busy and they don't have time to coach your horse to pick up their hoof and remain peacefully. That is your responsibility. So, train your horse to try this early and do it nicely. Sure, it can also be taught to elder horses. Just do not request a lot too soon from them and it will all work out.
You will need to understand some of the reasons a horse isn't a contented camper about picking up his hoofs. A horse's feet are used to hurry to safety. Holding its hoof makes it feel vulnerable. It might be they've not even been exposed properly how to lift their feet. He may have been handled roughly in the past when having his feet picked up, or there might be a physical difficulty - like a sore foot.
Here is how you begin to show a horse to pick his feet up and halt peacefully. You begin with small bits at a period, in the region of 5 to 15 minutes two times daily should suffice. Having said that though, every horse is it's own personality so pace yourself fittingly.
Start in a secure place such as a circular pen. Do not work with the horse tied for your safety and his. Start stroking his neckline and work leisurely right down to the shoulder and then the leg. If he's contented, you're doing a good job. If he niggles, just gradually take away your hand at the spot he started getting grumpy at, and begin once more until he settles. Keep doing this until you contact the feet. If you can't in the number one session, it doesn't matter. Just conclude things on a great note and begin again an alternative time. This same routine can be utilized using the back legs. Just remember, slow, easy and relaxed.
Once you can touch the feet, try raising one up and holding it for only a mere fraction of a minute and letting it go it before the horse pulls it away and commend and reward them. Move on to another leg and so on. When you are first working with them you do not need an extended hold, you simply want to have the confindence to raise the foot up and position it down straight away. This shows the horse you will not hurt him. Keep increasing the hold period over your classes with the horse. Sooner or later, and who's in a rush here anyhow, you'll have a horse that stands quietly for not just you, but the farrier. Reliance is a serious concern here, so treat your horse with respect and he'll respond.
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