hi,
I loan a Irish cob gelding who is 7 years old. He is has a perfect temperment and is a real sweety but I find it very difficult to pick up his feet. First of all I simply pick up his feet and after 15 seconds i put them down but if he snatches i hold on to them for another 5 seconds before trying again ect ect.
once I have picked up all his feet I show him the hoof pick and bucket (were mud, stones ect ect go from feet). Once he is not bothered by it I pick up his feet and pick them out but sometimes he snatches it away from me and stamps it down on the ground. I tell him NO and try again.
Has anyone got any ideas to help me? And if I need to change my techniques?
Also when he is in a stable its hard to groom him because he is constantly walking around in circles. Any ides why and what may stop im from doing this? Please note I cant always tie him up.
thank you!
Theres this crust thing, called the chestnut on the inside of every horses leg, if you grab it everytime he commits to putting that foot down then he will eventually get the idea that when you pick his feet, he has to respect you. Don't know why it works, I just saw my farrier do it my horse.
Lol sorry, sounds like a horse I know.
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pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
He might just be restless when he box walks - this is easily remedied by tying him up so you can groom him in peace!!!
It sounds like hes being a bit of a brat with regards picking out his feet - you're doing the right thing by telling him no in a stern voice, but I think you need to give him a slap or a poke when saying this so he associates slapping his leg down with a harsher punishment.
xx
try turning his head in the opposite Direction from the hoof you are picking. for ex. you are picking his front left hoof, have someone hold his head to the right. he will lean that way and of of his hoof that you are trying to pick. also if you try leaning on him when you pick his hooves he will try to lean away from you, in doing so he will stop trying to stand on the hoof you are picking.
hope this helps!
- I had the same problem
he is just spoiled and is taking Advantage of you. If you cant make him mind. Get him tired first. Real tired.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com only other option is to tie a rope around his foot and bring it up. you hold the other end. This way he will know you mean Business.
As far as walking in circles, wouldn't you?
He just needs to get out more. He is bored.
Hon, he's just being a butt.
Grab the end of the hoof pick, and start tapping him on right above below his Fetlock, if he doesn't pick it up in the first three taps, start increasing the amount of force.
MAKE SURE THAT AS SOON AS HE PICKS HIS FOOT UP TO TELL HIM "GOOD BOY!" And rub him ALL over.
And repeat if necessary.
After a couple of trips through the car wash your horse will love hand grooming.
What you're doing with his feet is the right approach. Just hold the feet for as long as he tolerates it and anticipate, and when he's going to snatch it away too hard that you can't hold it (holding it despite his attempt to snatch it away is correct as you've been doing, but some horses are too strong and fast and it's virtually impossible to hold the foot) - if this is the case-anticipate and YOU you gently put the foot back down on the ground BEFORE he tries to really snatch it away hard. You have to be able to read the horse well. Do these exercises apart from actually picking out his feet, so you're not rushed and can concentrate on holding his feet for longer and longer times, and also, start with holding the feet closer to the ground. Some horses snatch their feet away because the handler is inadvertently holding the leg up too high and it bothers the joints of some horses. So start with the hoof low, hold for 5 seconds, put it down, and increase time. This is also how I teach young (or just unhandled) horses to let me hold their feet to pick them out. Hope this helps you.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com As for him walking around in circles, you can take the lead and when he starts to circle around, you ask him to circle, but many more times than he would choose to circle. When he stands still reward him. When you start to groom and he starts to walk, make him circle again. If he's particularly energetic this may take many repetitions, but if he's a little more on the lazy side, it won't take too long. I don't always tie horses to groom them , I expect them to stand still without being tied.
He's having you over and being a naughty boy. Grooming; you will have to find somewhere to tie up, possibly even give him a net to keep him occupied. Surely if he has a stable there must be somewhere you can attach a ring or piece of baling twine to tie up to? My horse is a terrible fidget as well and I've discovered that any soft brushes must be quite ticklish as she prefers anything scratchy or being brushed vigorously. I tie her up and nudge her in the side with a brush to manoeuvre her if she starts wandering. Re the feet; lose the bucket as it is limiting you. Get a firm grip once the foot is up and don't let go until you're done, even if this means he objects. Easier said than done but I guess if he does what you want get the rewards out for him. Ask/watch farrier for advice on dealing with naughty horses! Always tie up for feet as well if he's prone to being a git which it sounds like he is. Typical wilful cob I'm afraid!
