Horse Training: You gotta put your foot down!
How To Get Your Horse To
"WANT" To Pick Up His Feet
So often, horse owners unknowingly
teach their horses to "not" have their feet
picked up.
I think it's mostly a lack of under-
standing why you should do certain things
when working with a horse.
Here's an example.
If you pick up a horse's foot and he
let's you...but pulls away and wants to put it
back down...and you let him...then you are
training him to put his foot down when "he"
wants to.
The ol' cliche of "You gotta put
your foot down" applies here when your horse
tries to put "his" foot down.
The trick is to hold his foot. When he
stops trying to take it back and relaxes, then
give it to him. This teaches him to relax and
that when he does, he can have his foot back.
Thus, the right is easy (when he relaxes).
The wrong thing is when he struggles - it's work
for him. When he sees it's easier to relax and
give you the foot...then it all falls into place.
(By the way, this all goes without saying
that you must be careful around your horse's feet
and legs because it can be hazardous. Please use
caution and common sense.)
Remember to do all feet.
Do this daily because repetition will lead
him to understand and trust you with his feet. The
more you work with him, the easier it'll be to get
his feet up and stay up.
The thing "not" to do is let him have his
feet when "he" wants to put 'em down. The goal
is to not allow that.
At first, it may be difficult for you. Perhaps
he's a bit strong and it's kinda hard for you. But
keep at it.
Make sure not to get impatient. If you have
a horse that's difficult in this area, then it'll
take time.
But it's worth it.
You will surprise yourself at just how well
you can teach your horse to hold up his feet. Just
keep at it.
One more thing, as you get him to hold his
feet up...work on holding it longer periods of time.
As you hold it longer, then start messing
with his feet. Tap on 'em lightly. Pick the crud
outta the hooves. Etc.
The more you work with his feet like that
the more he'll see it won't hurt him and he'll trust
it.
Adios until manana.
Andy Curry
www.horsetrainingandtips.com
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How To Train Horses For Killer Results - Everytime!
Click here to find out how:
http://www.horsetrainingandtips.com/horse_owners_manual.htm
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2 Comments:
Dear Andy,
Please help me. I have been trying to email you at different email addresses and they all come back to me undelivered. I am so confused. I feel that your advice and the Beery manual is like a Dr. Jekly and Mr. Hyde story line. I love your email tips ang agree with your methods, and that is why I purchased the Beery manual from you. The Beery manual however, is terrible - with recommendations to do such things as tying up the horse and throwing him down and keeping him down until he reaches submission. I get literally nauseaus when I read the Beery manual. How can there be such a difference between what you write about and what this manual says. I have never seen a post by you that suggests throwing the horse down. Please help.
rconklin23@hotmail.com
Dear Andy,
I have a pinto that I just got about 3 weeks ago. I have never owned a horse (my husband has years ago) and I am afraid of them ever since I was thrown 17 years ago at a riding stable. My husband thought I should have a filly and train her and get use to her at my own pace. When I got her I could pick up her feet no problem. She is halter broke and leads. I was scared not her. I do all 4 feet everyday like you said to do. But now the last 3 or 4 times when I pick up her front feet she will put all her weight on me and pushes me over just about. I keep picking them up anyway and correcting her by saying no and then today when I went to work with her I would not let her push me and I held on to her foot. Well she went to her knees. Being new to horses I got upset thinking I was hurting her and my husband said I need to keep working at it. So I picked up her foot again she goes down again. After that every time I thought she was going to fall to her knees, I backed off. This happen about 5 times in a row with one foot. She has become very pushy with me and head butts me at times. Everyone I talk to about her they say she is first in the pecking order with me because I allowed it. Is her falling to her knees a way of telling me to leave her alone and she is boss? I had a Ferrier come check her feet and he showed me how to pick them up and she did fine with him and me until now. I hope you can give me some advice and hope.
Thank you
Dawn
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