LIFTING FEET
This can be a very difficult issue and one that needs to be solved straight away, because the saying “no foot no horse” is very accurate.
You need to be able to handle their feet to care for them and put right any problems.
You must understand though, for a horse to give you their foot, it puts them in a very vulnerable position, and they must have a lot of trust (or fear) in you to do this.
I am taking it that you do not want to go down the fear route as, if you do, this is not the site for you.
In handling their feet you also put yourself in a vulnerable position so make sure you have-
A- Boots with grip and protection.
B- A good helper that is not afraid, as your horse will pick up on this, and it will make things harder.
C- Plenty of treats. We use the horse’s normal cool nuts.
HOW TO PICK UP THE FRONT FEET
You can do each of these stages as quickly as you like, extending over days, but do not leave big gaps in between each session.
This is because you will have to start at the beginning again and not be moving forward.
Make sure your helper is standing on the same side as you. This is because, if your horse becomes agitated, they will not pull the horse over you.
Slowly run your hand down your horse’s leg, if he becomes uncomfortable and moves, hold your hand still until he stands. Then give a noise that means he has done the correct thing (I use a psst noise, but you can use anything) then treat.
Keep repeating until they are totally fine with you handling their leg. Joey’s lack of concern is shown by his interest in my helper, not me.
Now run your hand down their leg then gently pull on their feather (the long hair on their fetlock) saying “up”.
If they do not lift their foot follow these options in order, always saying the word “up” :
A- Increase the pull on the feathers.
B- Squeeze the chestnut (the small horn-like spot just above and on the inside of the knee). Indicated by the arrow on the opposite leg.
C- Pull the knee forward, bending the leg, then lift the foot.
D- ask your helper to walk your horse forward very slowly, and lift the foot when he has to lift the hoof.
Remember, as soon as your horse gives you his hoof, even for a second or, if you are good at reading your horse, as soon as he thinks about it, reward by using your chosen noise and treat.
Increase the time you lift his foot gradually, always saying “up” making your noise and treating as a reward.
When releasing the hoof do it gently, do not just drop it.
If at any point he does not respond, go back a few steps, take a deep breath, and try again.
Work up to just saying “up” without actually touching the leg and he will lift it for you.
It is very important that you remember how much it takes for your horse to give up his means of escape.
If you do not get as far as you have done previously, keep in mind any time you spend with your horse is a good thing, as long as you stay calm and take breaks to do things that they enjoy as well.
Take a break if you are getting frustrated and try to do some other in hand exercises that they are good at, before trying again.
If you continue to have problems it may be time to call in an expert to check there are no physical issues.
HOW TO PICK UP THE HIND FEET
This is more difficult than picking up the front feet, as you are in a more vulnerable position.
Your helper must be capable and unafraid.
You must make sure they are standing on the same side as you are, so they can pull the horse towards themselves, swinging your horse’s hind legs away from you. Not like the second picture where, if Joey struck out, the helper could not move his quarters away from me.
Everyone has a different way, I am showing how I do it. I have had many horses where you cannot touch their legs and I have not failed, or been hurt, since I have been using this method.
Get a long scarf, some people use a lead rope but I believe that can hurt the horse easily if they panic.
Let your horse sniff the scarf and make sure they are happy to let you stroke them all over with it, especially down the legs. Your helper should use your noise and treats when your horse is accepting.
Work up to putting the scarf around your horse’s hind leg just below the fetlock, making sure you stand as close to the front end as you can so you do not get kicked. Let your helper make your noise and treat then release.
Once your horse is more than happy with the scarf around the leg, apply a little forward pressure. Making sure you are standing as near to the horse’s rib cage as possible saying “up”.
If your horse –
A- Panics let the scarf go. Keep calm, praise and go back a few steps.
B- lifts the foot, or even thinks about it, let your helper make your noise and treat, releasing the leg carefully and quickly.
Keep on lifting the foot with the scarf while saying “up”, trying to hold it up for longer periods, making sure your helper uses your noise and treating before you gently release his leg. Look how relaxed Joey is about it now.
Once your horse is happy to lift his foot, get closer to the leg and start to gently stroke it, praising and treating. If they get upset at any point, go back a few steps.
Slowly work up to holding the hoof as you say “up” and only have the scarf there as a backup.
Once you can hold the hoof easily and happily, practise banging it gently and using the hoof pick. Using your noise and treating if he does well.
Work up to just pointing at the hoof saying “up” and he just lifts his hoof.
Final Thoughts
If at any stage your horse gets agitated, go back a few steps, making sure you and your helper stay calm and quiet.
Your horse is learning that with you he is safe and anything you ask of him, is within his capability.
Work up each step slowly, making sure he is entirely happy with each stage, before progressing to the next.
If you do not progress, your horse appears unhappy or gets violent, then call in an expert to rule out any physical problems.
Remember this is just a small step in yours and your horse’s journey.