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University Suggestion Box

Picking up feet

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I would love to see a lesson about pickup up feet of horses who don't like it. Especially if they kick out to the sides and back when picking up back feet. My 750kg horse won't let me pick up his front feet and nothing moves him to do it. My only hope is to get him to walk forward and grab it but I have to be very, very strong to hold it. His issues are related to a current pain but I still need to pick up his feet. I have tried putting a pad under the other front foot, but you need to pick up that foot first!

renjaho - Hamburg, Germany
Please upload your photo 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed

Hi Katie!
Yes, I would love to see some lesseons on that topic too. In case of your horse, especially because it is painful for him do let you pick up his feet, stop trying it for a while, so that it can't hurt anymore.
Wait until he feels no more pain. If you know why this is so painfully for him, try to alleviate all pain. Talk with your vet about what kind of illness it is that makes it painful for him to lift his feet. After the pain got less or even disappeared, it will be much easier to pick up your horses feet. What kind of illness does he have?
Best wishes
Jasmin from Hamburg, Germany

nelliebell
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed

Hi Katie, There is a video in the Behind the Scenes series on the uni which deals with a horse who is very volatile with his feet. If you are aware that it is a pain issue, sort that out before trying to pick his feet up again. You might unintentionally cause a remedial problem by continually causing him pain in his feet with the lifting. His feet will be fine for a while without picking out etc. My current horse was having issues with his front feet whereby he would almost topple over if i picked up his font feet. I knew it wasn't right so i stopped trying and eventually realised he had a problem in his hip so he couldn't take his weight on his back legs when i picked up the front. Best of luck with sorting this out :-)
Janelle

renjaho - Hamburg, Germany
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Hi Janelle,
where did you find the Behind the Scenes series in this uni? I can't find it!
Jasmin

MIA
Hello!

Hi there!
i couldn't find that video too..

I've had the same problem with my horse too! He didn't let me pick up his front feet. I let the vet and the chiropractic check him (He also had a problem with the hips) Then a masseur made him some really good (i saw that he liked it a lot) massages in the sholder area and now he ist picking up the feet as he did all the years before. Though not all our problems are solved yet. Now I'll check if he needs another saddle or something, because I don't really know where all this came from..
best wishes,
mia

star
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed

There are several ways you can help your horse to pick their feet.
The video that can help the most is in ASK MONTY section on the dashboard.
Also don't forget to use the false arm or a round handled cane.

nelliebell
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed

Sorry guys the series was 'Special Event' it is a behind the scenes look at his tour in England. There is a big grey horse on there who was very opposed to having his feet picked up. Monty uses the arm for this one. Sounds like Katies problem is more a pain issue than a remedial issue at the moment though.

renjaho - Hamburg, Germany
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Ah, okay, thank you Janelle!
Have a nice day,
Jasmin

Certified Instructor Ann Lindberg/Sweden
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed

You find some really good videoclips with Monty and Kelly on horseandcountrytv.co.uk - all for free! Warmest Ann CI/Sweden