how can i pick up my horses back feet?

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Flicka

New member
I had this same problem with my horse it was horrible there were so many times when she was really close to kicking me in the face so i did some research and talked to my instructer and she said get a rope(lead rope) put it on the back of your horse's leg rubbing the rope (gently) along your horse's back legs until your horse is quiet will really help and allow it to have someone behind him (the first step to picking up his feet cause if you cant stand behind him picking up his feet will be a long and possibly painful ordeal)
then you can move onto doing it with your hand until he is quiet if this makes him uncomfortable and jumpy go back to the lead rope only progress at a pace your horse can handle
once your horse can handle the previous step put the lead rope on the back of your horse's foot and pull up until your horse lifts it's foot( it will probably kick and jump around but just hold on when your horse stops slowly lower your horse's back foot and reward it, it will take time and patience and lots of repetition.
Today was the first day my horse lifted her back legs when i said "lift" without kicking out and jumping around
we've been working on it for about a month so there is hope
 
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DonnaR

New member
Go to Sylvia Scott's natural horsemanship website. Click on horse training problems. Then go to H the hoof problems and click on horse kicks when asked for back feet or something like that. You can print it off the computer. I had the same problem and no longer have any trouble with my mare. Good Luck.
 
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jillie_rox28

New member
there is probably a problem deeper than just being stubborn. Try talking to your vet to see if she's sore someplace, or if there is something wrong with her hooves that would cause her to be protective of her hind legs. Another thing to check in to is her history. see if any of her previous owners could have done something to cause her to fear having her hind feet lifted. Maybe she was abused? Or she could have had an accident? these things often cause horses to fear simple actions such has having their hooves picked up.

if you can find nothing wrong, then just be firm, but gentle. Just first let her get used to having your hand on her fetlock, then see if she lets you pick it up. if she resists just hang on and don't let go. once she calms down, just hold her foot for a minute.

if it helps, you can pick up her front feet (if she's good with them) first so she sees you aren't going to hurt her hooves.

good luck, and i hope this helps!!
 
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