Tips to do Hind Leg Releases safely and effectively

Sometimes picking a horse's foot can be difficult if they have tension on the Hind End muscles or in the pelvis. Here are some tips to help you perform this technique safely and effectively:
Position the horse: Make sure that the horse is standing somewhat square. Whenever you pick up any of their legs you want to be sure they have their balance and won't have to step or fall forward or back.
Position yourself: Stand close next to the horse's hind end as if to pick up their hoof for cleaning, facing toward the rear.
Hold the foot by the toe: Holding the toe not only makes it easier to hold the foot but also much easier for the horse to relax the foot and leg into your hand.
Don't grab and pull: Never grab or pull the leg. Slide your hand from the cannon bone to under the pastern or slip your fingers under the front of the toe and then bring the foot forward.
*Support the leg when it's off the ground: if you are holding by the toe, the ideal position and distance is about where the foot would be if it were on a hoof stand while being shod.
Feel for signs of relaxation in the horse's leg: you will start to feel their leg get heavy in your hand, then gently and slowly guide the leg down and forward, and a little toward the midline of the horse.
Watch Jim explain some more tips for this technique in the video.
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