[sarahhowen]

HELP!

My Danish Warmblood mare will simply not pick up her feet! When you run your hand down her leg she leans her full body weight on you making it impossible to pick her foot up, taking into consideration the fact that she is very heavily pregnant when she is leaning against you she wins!

I know that this is something that we need to work on daily with her and we are, its just she is not really improving with it. Once her foot is up, she is good with it and does not lean into you, its just getting that little ****** up!

We have tried just picking the foot up but she is a sly one and makes it difficult.

Any hints, tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated its so frustrating!

[cassidy]

is she simply jus being stubborn?

if so then i would suggest when going to do it give her a nice pat run hands down leg an squeeze if this isnt getting a response try a lil shov and a growl

if that stil doesnt work be more forceful but when he does pick his foot up be sure to reward him till he gets the idea

[sarahhowen]

She is just being stubborn, we have tried squeezing her, patting her, leaning against her does not work as she just leans back. I think that it is just a learned behaviour that she came with and I know she just needs re-educating but she makes it incredibly difficult! I think if we can get the foot up she will soon learn. Once she has done it we try rewarding her with lots of pats and affection but to be quite honest at the moment she does not really give a dam! I wonder if she will be better when the baby is here? Thoughts.....?

[cassidy]

yh all that extra weight she is carrying cant be easy for balance

and after the baby i born there are no excues for her to be stubborn - and so no reason why she shouldnt get athrough telling off and a jab in the ribs

[LateralFlexion]

After giving the usual signal to lift her foot, either twist the chestnut or tap with a whip until she picks up the foot. The split second she shifts her weight or lifts the foot STOP twisting or tapping. Repeat starting with your usual signal and progress to the whip or chestnut twist until she responds. Eventually you won't need to use a whip or twist the chesnut and she will respond to the lighter cue.

The chestnut trick is nice because you don't always have a whip handy, but the chestnut is always there should she forget her manners! For the back feet, twist the skin on her hocks instead of trying for the chestnut.

[Rumonek]

The squeezing the chestnut trick 99.9% of the time works... def. try that.

[sarahhowen]

Cheers guys, I will definitely try the Chestnut thing and let you know how we get on.

[sarahhowen]

We have today been doing some reward training and she does seem to of improved, I think more so because she wants the sweeties not because I am asking her to! but its a start

[NorthernDust]

*teehee* My mare was in the 0.1 %!! lol.

What I did -

Have someone turn her head away from you while you try and pick up the foot. This will change her balence, and she won't be able to resist as much.

This with the chestnut trick Will work.
Or you can slap me. LOL!

[Dancers Mom]

I poke her foot lightly with the tip of the hoof pick, just enough and she instantly picks it up. She won't lean on me but she just won't pick up her feet.