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[RC] *I* need advice on picking up feet - rides2far@xxxxxxxxI could use a little advice in the "picking up feet" area myself. All my previous horses had either been handled, or I handled their feet when they were babies. We recently bought a 5 yr. old recently gelded horse who had barely been handled. He's doing wonderfully when we don't rush him. He's Josie's and she's already riding him a little. I've been picking up his front feet and trying to hold them just a second and put them down before he yanks it away so he'll know it's my decision. We've done very little hopping around with me hanging on, just a quick pickup. His hind feet haven't been touched yet. He's not shy about me handling him but he's nearly 15.1 with LONG legs and when I've tried to pick it up there's that one big snap swing of just "let me loose". To complicate matters he has a way of being constantly beat up. I've watched him and he aggrivates the other horses until they hurt him. So..he's had a swollen rear fetlock with a cut that we didn't doctor at all since we couldn't handle it. So...any advice on starting out...little tricks I haven't thought of? What I'm trying now is just putting a big fat cotton lead around his leg above the hock (me holding the 2 ends) and letting it drop down to the fetlock, then pulling forward till he lifts it (while I stand well forward). He doesn't act especially scared of this and it seems to be getting him used to the idea of picking it up. I'm hoping he'll get over that first slap/jerk before I have hold of it. I do not believe in making the farrier train my horse. I've heard some people say they tranquelize them to handle at first but I tried to doctor his fetlock and he could kick like a mule! No problem holding his liquor. I was supposed to be leaving for Talladega this morning but didn't have my grades in yet at school so got stuck here. The weather is cool enough for a jacket so they got terribly lucky. I must be turning the page in my endurance career. Could load Ben up and go get a few more miles but I'd rather work on starting these new guys. It's a fun change. Can't wait to get them out there piddling down the trail. Angie ________________________________________________________________ Speed up your surfing with Juno SpeedBand. Now includes pop-up blocker! Only $14.95/ month - visit http://www.juno.com/surf to sign up today! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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