Balance/Picking up Hooves

Vengeance · 08-08-2006, 09:57 AM

I started picking up my colts hooves when he was about three week old and he was ok with it, but recently, I've noticed that every time I pick up his hooves, he loses his balance and 'falls' down to his knees. Literally.
I haven't worked with his back legs yet, because I'm trying to get him to willingly hold up his front hooves for me. Last night, I got him out and picked up his hooves (front only) and every single time I picked up a leg, his other leg would buckle at the knee and he'd go down to his knees. What's going on and how should I go at fixing this? I've never seen this problem in any other horses...
Help please...
~V

i_luv_wildfire · 08-08-2006, 10:05 AM

I'm taking a shot in the dark here...but do you think he's trying to get out of holding his hooves up for you? I mean I would definitely rule out any pain problems first but that could be a possibility. He should be able to balance on three legs just fine, that's the beauty of horse anatomy!

Vengeance · 08-08-2006, 10:15 AM

I'm not sure if he's trying to get out of it or if he's really having a problem. I'll ask the vet if he could check it when we get him out in a week or so...but still...
I mean, when he was younger, he'd hold his legs up pretty well, and I wouldn't make him hold them up for long...
I'm not sure what is going on...?

i_luv_wildfire · 08-08-2006, 10:55 AM

It does sound weird. Does he go down immediately, or do you have a couple seconds before he does? If you've got time, I'd say pick the hoof up and then put it back down right away. Praise him and tell him he was a good boy. This insures that YOU are the one who decides when the hoof is put down, not him. If it is indeed an attitude problem and not a health issue.

Vengeance · 08-08-2006, 11:09 AM

THere was a few times that he did go down as soon as the hoof left the ground, and there was also a few times that he stood up for a few seconds before slowly 'going down'. I mean, slowly. It was like he was fighting it, but the weight was too much and he had to just go down.

JBandRio · 08-08-2006, 11:44 AM

He's pretending he can't stand on 3 legs

He can, he just doesn't realize it yet. It's your job to pick his feet up JUST long enough so he gets the idea, but before he starts to buckle. Eventually you will be able to hold them up longer and longer. Don't get mad at him, just be persistent and patient.

AppalosaCowGirl · 08-08-2006, 12:46 PM

My yearling is like this only on her right front leg.. i find that i am pushing her up practically just to be able to clean it out.. it would be nice if some-one has an answer for this becasue it could be a problem when she is alot bigger...

Lilly has No prblem picking up her feet and does it willingly she even lifts them when you tap her leg..

rageandglory · 08-08-2006, 01:12 PM

as young'uns, they need to learn how to place their three feet and that they actually can (place themselves with balance on three). once they understand three-legged standing, things should get better. ditto the patience.

Vengeance · 08-08-2006, 03:19 PM

Thanks all. It was beginning to worry me because I've never seen a young horse do this and all...

rageandglory · 08-08-2006, 06:07 PM

some are quicker than others in catching on to the simpler things, hang in there with him. he'll come around : )

08-08-2006, 09:57 AM	#1
Vengeance Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gallant, Alabama Posts: 2,925 Images: 4	Balance/Picking up Hooves I started picking up my colts hooves when he was about three week old and he was ok with it, but recently, I've noticed that every time I pick up his hooves, he loses his balance and 'falls' down to his knees. Literally. I haven't worked with his back legs yet, because I'm trying to get him to willingly hold up his front hooves for me. Last night, I got him out and picked up his hooves (front only) and every single time I picked up a leg, his other leg would buckle at the knee and he'd go down to his knees. What's going on and how should I go at fixing this? I've never seen this problem in any other horses... Help please... ~V __________________ "Horses change lives. They give young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls. They give us hope." I Hath Been Snowballed! x3

08-08-2006, 10:05 AM	#2
i_luv_wildfire Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: At the barn Posts: 4,190 Images: 214 Blog Entries: 3	I'm taking a shot in the dark here...but do you think he's trying to get out of holding his hooves up for you? I mean I would definitely rule out any pain problems first but that could be a possibility. He should be able to balance on three legs just fine, that's the beauty of horse anatomy! __________________ *equestrian sports...* strength \| determination \| energy \| heart eat. sleep. ride.

08-08-2006, 10:15 AM	#3
Vengeance Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gallant, Alabama Posts: 2,925 Images: 4	I'm not sure if he's trying to get out of it or if he's really having a problem. I'll ask the vet if he could check it when we get him out in a week or so...but still... I mean, when he was younger, he'd hold his legs up pretty well, and I wouldn't make him hold them up for long... I'm not sure what is going on...? __________________ "Horses change lives. They give young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls. They give us hope." I Hath Been Snowballed! x3

08-08-2006, 10:55 AM	#4
i_luv_wildfire Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: At the barn Posts: 4,190 Images: 214 Blog Entries: 3	It does sound weird. Does he go down immediately, or do you have a couple seconds before he does? If you've got time, I'd say pick the hoof up and then put it back down right away. Praise him and tell him he was a good boy. This insures that YOU are the one who decides when the hoof is put down, not him. If it is indeed an attitude problem and not a health issue. __________________ *equestrian sports...* strength \| determination \| energy \| heart eat. sleep. ride.

08-08-2006, 11:09 AM	#5
Vengeance Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gallant, Alabama Posts: 2,925 Images: 4	THere was a few times that he did go down as soon as the hoof left the ground, and there was also a few times that he stood up for a few seconds before slowly 'going down'. I mean, slowly. It was like he was fighting it, but the weight was too much and he had to just go down. __________________ "Horses change lives. They give young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls. They give us hope." I Hath Been Snowballed! x3

08-08-2006, 11:44 AM	#6
JBandRio Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NC Posts: 23,722 Images: 145 Blog Entries: 12	He's pretending he can't stand on 3 legs He can, he just doesn't realize it yet. It's your job to pick his feet up JUST long enough so he gets the idea, but before he starts to buckle. Eventually you will be able to hold them up longer and longer. Don't get mad at him, just be persistent and patient. __________________ - JB Acres, owned and operated by Dynamite animals. - It's a wonder horses as a whole don't just kill us all and be done with their misery. - Keep your voice soothing and low - even when things get western (buck1173) - You can't hit me with all those snowballs!

08-08-2006, 12:46 PM	#7
AppalosaCowGirl Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PA Mason/Dixon border Posts: 1,870	My yearling is like this only on her right front leg.. i find that i am pushing her up practically just to be able to clean it out.. it would be nice if some-one has an answer for this becasue it could be a problem when she is alot bigger... Lilly has No prblem picking up her feet and does it willingly she even lifts them when you tap her leg.. __________________ I'm not LAZY, I just hang out a lot Sori and Lilly

08-08-2006, 01:12 PM	#8
rageandglory Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: the other seat in that handbasket Posts: 1,639	as young'uns, they need to learn how to place their three feet and that they actually can (place themselves with balance on three). once they understand three-legged standing, things should get better. ditto the patience.

08-08-2006, 03:19 PM	#9
Vengeance Senior Member+ Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gallant, Alabama Posts: 2,925 Images: 4	Thanks all. It was beginning to worry me because I've never seen a young horse do this and all... __________________ "Horses change lives. They give young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls. They give us hope." I Hath Been Snowballed! x3

08-08-2006, 06:07 PM	#10
rageandglory Senior Member+ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: the other seat in that handbasket Posts: 1,639	some are quicker than others in catching on to the simpler things, hang in there with him. he'll come around : )

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