Hoof Handling Part III

I've started writing this post at least four times now, and end up deleting it every single time. Why? Because the use of tools to teach a horse to lift his feet is delving into training. Granted, you ARE training your horse every single time you interact with them, but this blog is not intended to teach you to train.

Why not?

Because EVERY horse is different. EVERY handler has different skill levels, reaction time, and ability to read the given situation. I am not comfortable putting a set of suggestions in writing, for all levels to read and digest as they will, and chance someone getting seriously hurt. Working one on one with people and their horses is wonderful, and for those who have a true passion to learn, it IS something I dearly love doing. But to put generalized (or even specific) information in a forum such as this, knowing that there is that chance that someone out there could get hurt... I just can't do it. I have to be able to sleep at night, knowing that my readers and their horses have not been injured by my writing.

I will say that I have used dressage whips to extend my arm in the past, to help horses accept touch on various portions of their bodies, and I have also used (and love) soft cotton ropes to teach horses to lift their feet. Used carefully and intelligently, they are most remarkable tools.

Instead, let's take a look at questions:

- What to do with / about a yanker? (YANKER you Brits-- NOT WANKER!)
- How do you handle leaning?


First, let's take a look at the horse who tends to yank and pull their feet away from you. The big question is: Do you hold on, or let go?

Well, how strong are you? Are you stronger than your horse? (I'm not.) Most horses will only give a half hearted try, just to make the point that they COULD, if they REALLY WANTED TO, pull their feet from you at will. Some horses are really serious about getting their feet back, and will wind up throwing you across the paddock in their efforts to get those feet back. Either way, you will get hurt should you try to hold on tightly.

IF your horse is only toying with you, then yes, growl at them, and hold on. That is a rather large IF though, and you need to read the situation carefully.

If your horse is serious about getting that foot back for whatever reason, let him have it.

And then, make the wrong thing hard, and the right thing easy.

For instance:
Sonny tends to pull his right front hoof away, *just because*. Rather than picking a fight with him, he has to work. Not in a space where you can do circles? Right- no problem. Back three steps, come forward three steps, back four steps, come forward four steps. Disengage the hind quarters. Back up some more. Disengage in the opposite direction. Back up some more. Watch your horse- when the eyes soften, and their head begins to dip down now and again, try lifting the foot again.

The Wrong Thing:
Pulling away the hoof.

The Consequence:
Controlled continuous movement.

The Right Thing:
Standing like a gentleman for hoof handling.

In most cases, this quiet, confident treatment and handling is only called into use a few times. Unless you have a horse like Sonny, who will toy with you *just because*.


Onto Leaners.
I hate leaners. Ever tried to hold up a thousand pounds or so? Come lift Sonny's left hind. When he puts his mind to being snotty, he will sit on me with that hind leg. Lucky for me, he does not lean as much these days. (Oh dear. I really hope I did not just *jinx* the crap out of myself...)

Leaning can happen in front and back. This can be a dangerous situation, if the horse is leaning from fear/ lack of understanding. If the horse is just being a putz, the danger level is a bit lower.

When I encounter a leaner, I'll hold them as long as possible, and wait. I'll wait until they have just about all the weight on me, and drop them. BAM. Sounds mean, but they stop leaning. I'll keep the leg under the horse, make sure my escape route directly to the side is clear, and I'll simply remove my hands and step off to the side in one smooth motion. If for some reason the horse tries it again, they will get dropped again, and then have to move their feet in the direction of my choosing at the speed of my choosing.

For kickers and strikers- same dance, but I'll take the owner/ handler out of the equation. Tools are set aside, and I'll use a longer (12 to 15 feet) soft cotton lead. The horse and I will step off out of the way to a quiet area, and we'll begin a quiet educational process. Generally by the time we're done "talking", horse is trimmed and good to go. The next few sessions go smoother and smoother, until the horse realizes that hoof care is no big deal and they stand like good horses do.

The biggest thing to remember when dealing with your horses is don't dwell on what you DON'T have -- ie: no round pen, no arena, etc. Instead, look at what you DO have, ie: long soft rope, clear safe area, etc, and use those to your advantage. Think "sideways" if you will, and turn what you do have to your advantage. Your biggest and best tool is your ability to think and reason. Use your head for more than a hat rack, break things down into smaller steps for your horse, and you'll be able to sort out a huge number of sticky spots.

Fire Away y'all......