| The idea of picking up a horse's hooves can intimidate | | | | position as you did with his front leg and do the |
| some owners since a well-placed horse kick would | | | | process over again. |
| really hurt! Such caution is good, but in reality if you pick | | | | There is a slight difference between lifting a rear foot |
| up a horse's hoof properly you provide him with no | | | | and front foot, even though your basic positioning and |
| leverage or ability to kick you. This is a situation where | | | | actions are nearly identical. When you lift your horse's |
| a person's worst fears can cause him to imagine an | | | | rear foot he will probably give a little jerk that you |
| incident that is highly unlikely to occur with careful | | | | might misinterpret as a kick. This is a common reflex |
| handling. | | | | reaction among horses and nothing for you to worry |
| Here's how to safely pick up a horse's hoof: | | | | about. |
| Starting with the front hoof, approach your horse | | | | Secondly, when you raise your horse's rear leg you'll |
| diagonally from his front so that he clearly knows you | | | | want to step into him a bit so that your hip is |
| are there - you don't want to surprise him. Place | | | | underneath his leg. Rest his leg on your thigh, grab his |
| yourself even with his shoulder and make sure to face | | | | hoof and gently flex it upwards. By doing this you lend |
| his rear; you will both be facing opposite directions | | | | him some support and more importantly the position of |
| during the hoof picking process. | | | | his leg and his flexed hoof will prevent him from being |
| Making sure that your feet aren't too close to the | | | | able to kick you. |
| horse's hoof, start running the hand parallel to him | | | | Clean the hoof, lower it cautiously as you did the first |
| down his shoulder and along the length of his leg, finally | | | | and praise him. Congratulations - you're halfway done! |
| stopping just above his ankle. Gently grasp the ankle | | | | The opposite side will be done exactly the same way, |
| portion and click (or otherwise verbally cue him) to ask | | | | but try to return to his front and start the opposite side |
| him to raise his leg. If he's well trained, that small cue will | | | | rather than move around his rear. It's bad practice to |
| be more than enough and he'll do just what you | | | | approach or circle all but the most trusted horses via |
| requested. You're now free to begin picking his hoof. | | | | the rear in such close quarters since a horse would be |
| If your horse is being a bit stubborn or hasn't learned | | | | within range to strike. |
| how to pick up his legs yet try leaning into his shoulder | | | | When lifting any hoof try to make sure your horse is |
| as you run your hand down the back of his cannon | | | | properly squared (balanced evenly on all four legs) so |
| bone. You can also gently squeeze/pinch the tendons | | | | that when you lift one hoof he can easily balance on |
| to further cue him to what you would like. As you | | | | his remaining three. At no time should the horse |
| perform these physical cues make sure you provide a | | | | actually lean his weight on you! Even when you rest |
| verbal one also (I make a clicking sound) so the horse | | | | his rear leg on your thigh you're not allowing him to use |
| later associates your sound with the requested | | | | you as a crutch. |
| response. Increase the weight you push against his | | | | Once you have picked your horse's hooves a few |
| shoulder until he finally lifts his leg as requested. | | | | times it will probably become very simple and take less |
| When picking a horse's hoof you want to remove all | | | | than 5 minutes to clear all hooves. Most trained horses |
| debris from the hoof clefts as well as the rim and frog. | | | | will raise their hoof for you the moment they feel your |
| Be careful around the frog because it can sometimes | | | | leg run down their leg. |
| be a bit sensitive, particularly if the horse has thrush. | | | | It is a very good idea to control your horse's head |
| Once you have finished cleaning the front hoof | | | | while you are picking his hooves. This can be done by |
| carefully guide it back to the floor; you don't want to | | | | attaching his halter to crossties or asking a partner hold |
| allow the horse to slam it, potentially hitting your foot in | | | | your horse's head. By controlling his head you ensure |
| the process. Praise your horse and pat him on the | | | | your horse can't move away from you while you're |
| front shoulder a bit so he understands that you are | | | | trying to pick his hooves, or worse... turn around and |
| pleased with his cooperation, then run your hand along | | | | take a bite at your rear! |
| his back to his rear leg. Place yourself in the same | | | | |