You're a good trainer. Thanks for the video. I've trained both my mares to pick up their feet. My issue is that they always want it back when I trim their hoofs myself. Any suggestions?
Thank you, glad it helped. This is a common issue for impatient horses. Just remember the principle “make the right choice easy and wrong choice difficult/uncomfortable”. When I’m working with a new horse that is impatient with its feet, I do it in the round pen, off lead (if I’m confident it won’t kick, otherwise, he stays on lead for head control). I ask for his foot and go through the trimming/cleaning motions, but keep your training stick handy. As soon as the horse tries to take his foot away, ask him to run a few circles in each direction, and WITH PURPOSE. No slow-poke stuff. If he tends to be slow, have him switch directions every 1/2 circle or so to keep him moving with purpose and not dragging his feet. I literally look for a rollback on the haunches when I say with purpose. Do some backing mixed in if on lead. Then go back to your trim spot and start over like nothing happened. You’ll likely have to do this process 3-5 times MINIMUM. Some take longer. You should see progress though in how long you can keep the foot. Next, read the horses signs. Try baby steps-don’t ask for too much at once and aim to set it down before the horse takes it away. If the horse is new or insecure, I may just clean and then set it down. Then trim 1/2 a hoof, set it down, then the other half, etc. The horse needs to build the confidence to trust you with his feet, while gradually learning to leave it longer. Anytime the horse takes it away on his terms, he works. He will quickly learn that leaving it with you allows him to be lazy and rest. One other note: when I first start these sessions, I aim to do hoof work at the END of an active training session. I find the horse is more focused and even a little tired and ready to stand and rest. Have fun!😁
Excellent
What a beautiful mane and tail! Such unique coloring as well!
Great job
Thank you so much
You're most welcome. Hope you find it helpful!
Yes. I have a Wyoming Mustang and i am not a trainer so this is great. Thank you!
Janice
You're a good trainer. Thanks for the video. I've trained both my mares to pick up their feet. My issue is that they always want it back when I trim their hoofs myself. Any suggestions?
Thank you, glad it helped. This is a common issue for impatient horses. Just remember the principle “make the right choice easy and wrong choice difficult/uncomfortable”. When I’m working with a new horse that is impatient with its feet, I do it in the round pen, off lead (if I’m confident it won’t kick, otherwise, he stays on lead for head control). I ask for his foot and go through the trimming/cleaning motions, but keep your training stick handy. As soon as the horse tries to take his foot away, ask him to run a few circles in each direction, and WITH PURPOSE. No slow-poke stuff. If he tends to be slow, have him switch directions every 1/2 circle or so to keep him moving with purpose and not dragging his feet. I literally look for a rollback on the haunches when I say with purpose. Do some backing mixed in if on lead. Then go back to your trim spot and start over like nothing happened. You’ll likely have to do this process 3-5 times MINIMUM. Some take longer. You should see progress though in how long you can keep the foot. Next, read the horses signs. Try baby steps-don’t ask for too much at once and aim to set it down before the horse takes it away. If the horse is new or insecure, I may just clean and then set it down. Then trim 1/2 a hoof, set it down, then the other half, etc. The horse needs to build the confidence to trust you with his feet, while gradually learning to leave it longer. Anytime the horse takes it away on his terms, he works. He will quickly learn that leaving it with you allows him to be lazy and rest. One other note: when I first start these sessions, I aim to do hoof work at the END of an active training session. I find the horse is more focused and even a little tired and ready to stand and rest. Have fun!😁