So, what is your best and safest tricks at teaching your young'ens to pick up their back feet? I have no problem picking up and holding Image's front feet - her previous owners had already started working on that. But not too much with her back feet. I admit I don't want this to become a fight, and I don't want to be kicked! (ok - I admit it, that is my biggest fear :-[ ). So far she allows me to touch her EVERYWHERE. I even brush and "rub" her all the way down to her feet. She has no problem with that - she stands quite still. I did make my husband > pick up her back feet a few days ago. The left side went ok - the right, not as good. Then, a few days later - she'd have nothing to do with it. But we didn't push it that hard, because she was already wired for sound because she wanted to paly play play..........and we wanted to work, work work. She has a GREAT personality and is pretty trusting I don't want to ruin that! She does not over react to anything! I really don't think I need to 'bully' her into it.......but we need to start working a bit more on this. So ya...............what do you suggest?
Get a long , soft cotton rope and accustom the horse to having the rope around her legs. Once she gets used to have the rope around her legs you can start applying a little pressure and getting her to move the leg and next you can start lifting them.
This is and has been my question (and I have to say I did watch the youtube of your husband working the kicking mare and it was good). But if you have a young horse that's possibly going to kick out at you, how do you get the rope around their legs? The last two babies would kick your head off if they could, the one I have this time around is not a kicker THANK GOD. However he is young so this would be good work for him.
Oh - please (re)post the video - I'd like to see it too...... Horsefreak - bring your baby over and we'll do it together........................ >............I'll watch you, see what works, and then have my hubby try it............... > > >
Well if you can't get the rope around the leg without getting kicked I guess you would have to back up a few steps and while standing to the side of the horse brush them as far down as you can the rump and legs. You have to be able to atleast touch the horse and brush him before you can attempt the legs.
You can go all Clinton Anderson and flick the rope at the legs til they stop kicking it. Really the "extension of your hand" stick is not a bad idea in this case. I am very scared of being kicked. That's why DW wrassles around with newborns and does the imprint training. And then of course we keep picking up their feet from them on, it's not totally magic. Oh wait, cute picture excuse: She was about 3 weeks there, I think. I miss babies!
Aw - what a cute little one!!! Look at those baby feet......... *!*!*!* My girl is 7 months old..................we are getting a little bit of a late start.........but she is a calm one, so I am not really scared - but I sure am going to be cautious!!! Actually that pictures helps - Gives me a better idea how to stand - and not get my husband's face kicked off! > Seriously, that is my biggest concern; standing the wrong way and leaving myself WAY open to getting whacked. I'd like to at least make it harder for her to get me, if she is so inclined.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPSJnTAMfWw Day 5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFevi99wiBs 1 month http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo8AIQJEK4s Preparing to ride http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkruvVlVbYA Riding http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFlS5FIWKEE
Important thing to remember is not to slap the horse everytime he tries to kick out. Just ignore it and keep working with him until he trusts you.
attach a rag to the end of a driving whip.. and flap it all over those back legs. When she no longer pays any attention to the rag.. start with your hand at the hip.. (and stand as close as you can to her.) touching all the way down the leg.. .and back up.. when she no longer pays any attention to your hand.. you can slide your hand down the leg and pick up the back foot.. just for a few moments and set it back down. repeat this until she doesnt flinch.. and then start to pick it up higher and repeat .. repeat ... repeat IF she would want to kick your head off.. buy yourself a large fat wiffle bat.. I have the strong suspicion.. you aren't going to have many problems with her
I would always try to do the feet practice somewhere where they know they are safe.. They would stay quieter that way. I would always go slow and let them tell me how far I could go.. I would go ahead with picking up her three easy feet and just go a bit slower with her fourth one... It doesn't sound like she is scared to death of picking up feet.. just needs some more practice BUT.. if you find you can't deal with her.. or if you think she is too much.. then I suggest you ship her far far away from you.. so you don't get hurt... > > >
AKPonygirl, I didn't realize you were as nice as BUC is. You two are the sweetest things to keep offering to take her for me............. *!*!*!* Thanks..........but It just isn't going to work. Honestly Snaffle, her personality is so nice - I can't imaging a wiffle bat ever being needed......... I told her last night that I wanted to bring her into the house with me............she is that sweet - but I worried I wouldn't have a place to sleep - she'd probably get my spot in bed, and on the couch........... >
tbitt... umm.... the wiffle bat... isn't supposed to be used on the horse.. you use it... by beating it upside your own head..
Couple of simple suggestions... 1. Use an adult halter, and put it on like a dog wears a harness. You put the nose section over the head, with the whole halter turned upside down, and put the crown piece under her belly where the girth would go. This gives you a great way to hold/control them, then you can hang onto her while ur husband picks up her feet! > 2. Have a feed pan (we use the large rubber ones) with a handful or two of grain in it. To help her relax let her put her nose in the pan to slowly eat up the grain....while slowly running a hand down her hind to pick up the foot. I also use nice yummy alfalfa hay, has worked for us with the farrier.
