HELP FOR HORSE RIDERS. PICKING UP FEET

PROBLEMS with PICKING UP FEET

Asking the horse to pick up his feet, hold them off the ground and stand on three legs is a big one. It's only natural for them to resist. First then, they need a good preparation, or indication of what is to come. Just diving at the foot and expecting him to pick it up is asking too much.

Equally, an indecisive or softly, softly approach lets the horse know you're not sure. If you're not sure, he will make the decision for you and it won't be the one you want!

Problems with picking up feet are remedied by modifying the standard procedure - as follows.

	1. Place yourself next to the horse and place your hand in his shoulder or rump to give warning. If the horse seems anxious or fidgety, keep your hand in place and wait until he is calm. Stay close to the horse to show that you are not afraid and give him confidence.
	2. When he is calm - and not before, slide your hand firmly down his leg, as far as he will let you go. The moment he shows signs of anxiety, stop where you are and keep your hand in place. It may be anywhere on his leg, so watch carefully. Just stay where you are and wait until he is calm again. If he will allow it, try and go a little further. If he gets very upset, stop there for today and carry on the next time, following the same procedure.
	4. It may take a few days, but eventually the horse will allow you to slide your hand firmly down to his feet. Back and front is the same procedure. Now, the tough bit begins. Firmly grasp the hair (feathers) just above the foot. If the horse has no feather, you will have to grasp him round the pastern. Lean your shoulder against the upper leg to throw him slightly off balance. Then pull in an upward and backward direction. Pull as hard as you have to, to get his foot off the ground.
	5. At this point, you MUST hang on - which is not as hard as may seem. If you get the horse's foot off the ground and he gets it away from you, he will do it every time - because he can! If you feel you don't have the strength or the courage to do this, find some one who can. The horse must be brought to the state of submission, or the problem will never be solved.
	6. Once you have the foot off the ground and in your hand, hold it up for a moment or two, give it a quick run round with a hoof-pick, if you can, then put it politely back down again. Above all, the horse must not be allowed to put his foot down until you say so. If he struggles a bit, so be it. Just hold on until he stops and calms down again. NB. If your horse is seriously difficult and starts throwing himself around, get some one qualified, such as a vet or farrier to help you.