I Have Trouble Picking Up The Back Feet On My Horse

  QUESTION: I have trouble picking up the back feet on my horse. How can I do this without feeling that he is going to kick at me.

  ANSWER: The hind legs are a very sensitive and dangerous area. Not only could you get kicked, you could be seriously hurt. First off can you pet your horse all over without finding an uncomfortable spot? If the horse either doesn’t allow you to pickup the hind feet or kicks, you need to desensitize that area. You may find that he won’t allow you to pet past his flank, under his belly, and around his tail without becoming very uncomfortable.
If this is the case, spend some time earning his trust. If you earn his trust, you will gain his respect. Earn his trust by putting your heart in your hand and rubbing this horse all over. When you come to one of those “Oh no” spots, prove to your horse that you are not going to hurt him. Prove this by rhythmically rubbing him like another horse would rub him. You may have to use an extension of your arm like a stick and string to help if you feel uncomfortable at first petting the legs. When you can accomplish petting your horse all over, including petting down all four legs, it is time to pick up the hind legs.

  Start by squeezing on the hock to ask the horse to pick up his leg. It is amazing they actually get into this. When he lifts his leg, grab onto the toe of the hoof. Wait for him to relax and put it back down. Don’t make it hard the first few times. Work on holding it longer and longer. You will be able to hold the leg up to clean the hoof out or prepare him for your farrier. Take the time it takes and the rewards will pay off time and time again in the future. Keep striving for that partnership with your horse, he will love you more than you could ever imagine. See you on the horsemanship trail!