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Hoof Handling

Many horses can have issues when it comes to hoof handling. These issues can range from resistance to sensitivity and anxiety about lifting the feet. Here I will discuss a few different methods to get your horse comfortable and confident about having his feet handled before the next time your farrier arrives.

Groundwork

I cannot talk enough about groundwork. Consistently doing groundwork will solve and prevent common problems without ever working on the problem itself. This is because most problems we have with our horses are a result of inconsistent conditioning and desensitizing. Try out a few of the groundwork lessons that I have explained in previous articles. Even doing one or two groundwork lessons everyday before riding can have a great affect on your horse’s attitude. After a few weeks of doing groundwork your horse’s feet handling problem may not be a problem at all. But if your horse does continue to feel unsure about having his legs picked up it may be more of a deep rooted problem that can take more time to fix. All horses learn differently and some faster than others. Give your horse time while continuing to work on multiple groundwork exercises and lifting the feet.

Perfect Practice Makes Perfect

You may be teaching your horse the wrong thing and not even know it. A common scene at many barns is an owner trying to pick out a hoof while the horse yanks his leg out of the owner’s grasp. The owner lets go and gives up, therefore rewarding the horse for his bad behavior. It is not always possible to hold on to a 1200 pound animal’s leg, but as long as you keep your hand on or near your horse’s leg and stay with him you are not releasing the pressure completely. Once your horse puts his foot down automatically pick it back up until your horse stands still and lets your hold his leg up, even if it is only for a moment.

For a horse that has no prior experience with having his feet handled or one that you are starting over with, begin by desensitizing him to your lead rope and lunge whip around his legs. When he is comfortable with the whip and rope touching all over his legs loop the rope around one of the front legs. Pick up on the rope and hold gentle pressure around his fetlock. When the horse lifts his leg even a little bit release the pressure on the rope. Continue practicing until he readily lifts his leg in response to the rope. Lift both front legs with the rope first then move on to the back legs doing the same procedure. When the horse can lift his feet with the help of the rope desensitize him further by rubbing his legs all over with your hands. After he is ok with this, start teaching your horse to lift his foot in response to pressure from your hand by gently squeezing him on his chestnut just above the cannon bone on his front legs and just below the hock on his hind legs. When the horse lifts his hoof off the ground even a little bit stop squeezing and rub his leg with your hand.

Gradually ask your horse to lift his foot higher, getting to a point where you can grasp it with both hands. After you can hold the leg up for as long as you want, start picking the foot out and holding it in similar positions that a farrier would use, such as stretching each leg forward and back. Continue to practice with your horse each day to instill the lesson in his mind. Perfect practice makes perfect. You must practice the correct lesson over and over to make it a habit. Once the lesson you are teaching the horse becomes a habit you don’t have to practice it continuously to do it well.

When the Farrier Arrives

When you can lift and confidently handle all four feet it is time for a visit from the farrier. If you have chosen a new farrier ask him or her a few questions and get to know what kind of horse person they are. Watch the farrier work with your horse. Don’t ever feel like you can’t be honest with your farrier. If you don’t feel comfortable with how he is handling your horse ask him to stop. Don’t ever let a rough person handle your horse’s feet as he will remember these past experiences and they can affect his future handling.