[Bruce Wiley]

Hello Beeks, and nice looking horse you have there.

It does occur and some horse owners have wasted valueable time by giving their horses too long of a period off for settling into the new enviroment and I feel the process should start day one.
This time should be spended on establishing the leader's role with the horse, also resolving any known issues, plus preparing the horse for farrier and the Vet's first visit and specially when the indivdual has taken possesion of the animal.

In time, this can cause the horse to start and later become familar to the daily routine of grooming, which does and should include picking and cleaning of their feet and to be able to do so throughout the horse's life, or time.

I hope this insight helps.

[Beeks]

Hi Bruce. Thanks for the compliment on my horse and the insight. I am not sure though, if your advice is addressing MY horses issues or Nicz2cu's.

Keeping in mind, that six month ago, this horse had been running wild and had only been halter broke, I think she has come a very long way. The process started the moment I got my hands on her. By sending her away when she misbehaved, I established or rather, reinforced my role as leader and I truly believe we also resolved a lingering issue of her, in having her flight mechanism shut down.

In a perfect world all horse would stand like perfect angels for vets and farriers. But alas, it is not a perfect world and it is the lucky vet or farrier who has his entire clientele trained to stand like statues for them.

I adore my farrier for this reason. He is a good ole boy with a ton of knowledge that he is always happy to impart. He knows there are going to be issues and he comes prepared mentally and physically to deal with them.

I initially suggested a lip chain. It was HIS idea to use the round pen. Thank God for that. My way would have only deepened her conviction that farriers were bad guys. As it was, when we were finished, she followed him to the gate and looked for attention which he gave liberally.

Is he worth his weight in gold. Dang skippy he is and I would not trade him for the fanciest farrier in the world. Not only did Sally learn something that day, but so did I. Did he have to do it....nope. But he did. Because he truly does have the horses best interest in mind and by taking a few extra minutes to help me help her, insured that his next visit would go even smoother.

My gelding had HUGE farrier issues when I got him and for good reason. As a baby he had been ear twisted, hog tied and dropped for not standing still for the farrier. The first time my farrier came out, my gelding was three and had a deeply established fear of all things farrier. It took nearly two hours for him to get the job done and not once did he lose his temper, or even utter a disgusting word. Consequently, each time he returned it took less and less time until now, he can be shod all the way around in less than 45 minutes. He still acts up once in awhile and does get schooled if it is just out of brattiness. But by taking his time, not losing his patience and exerting some self control, he took a farriers nightmare and turned him into a fairly easy horse to work with.

If a horse has deep seated issues with a farrier as my gelding did, or still has a fairly well established fight or flight mechanism, as my mare does, no amount of feet handling by the owner, trainer or people familiar with the horse is going to undo that. My mare actually came around loads quicker than my gelding because her fear was a natural one whereas my geldings was learned. Neither horse would have overcome their issues without his involvement and while I appreciate the fact that it is NOT his job to help me, I will be forever grateful for his help, insight, patience and fortitude.

I would not employ a farrier who would walk away simply because a horse was misbehaving, especially when the horse owner has given them a heads up and is actively working to get the problem corrected. I understand that time is money but two sided cooperation and communication goes a long way towards establishing not only the reputation for being an excellent farrier but insures that client horses will be easier to deal with in the future not only for them, but for those who may come in the future.

[meljean]

What would I do with one that kicks, Tranqs for everyone! (little smiley things here)

I am glad your farrier is like that, it really does make things easier, but most of them are not. The fact that he suggested it, and then really did not mind helped all the way around.

And the idea of scheduling for last, as one poster said, can't remember who, is a good one.

I also, have worked great amount of time with hot bloods, and they react differently to things, (case in point things we do to get them unlocked, which will not work with cold blooded horses, but we won't even go there.)

One method discovered by accident, was when farrier came to work on TB's babies feet for first time, one filly just laid down, flat on side, all four feet sticking out, stayed down entire time, didn't have any battle or anything just laid down. And every time farrier came, she did it again. Never gave a bit of trouble, but would not stay on feet, just folded up like an ironing board. Would love to know what happened to her after she sold at Ocala, if she still does it?

Enjoyed pictures of mare, she is a nice looking horse, and looks smart, which may be part of problem too. L S T H.

Thanks for surgery pep talk, I came home same night and that was big mistake.

[Sweetsizzlinrumour]

I agree with the round pen consequence to their actions and yes it does work I have also used it for bridling issues never had another problem in 4yrs.I round penned her 5 sessions not even long ones and she has been good ever since. making them work for listening is a really good motivator.I did the standing and holding and waiting only to get hurt,she didn't care how long I was there.Horses round pen each other in the field and we are just copying their behavior.