Lifting feet problem

[Wyndy River]

I just purchased an 11 year old Belgian/paint mare. She is 16.2HH and is broke to ride and drive. The only (Big) problem is she won't pick up her feet. This poses a big problem out on the trail if she gets something stuck in her feet. The person that has owned her for the last two years used a stock to trim her feet. She will lean on you when you try to get her to pick up her feet. I do not have her in my possession yet. She comes in April. I am familiar with a few methods to try when she comes. I'm worried that because she is 11 she is set in her ways and chances of getting her to comply are low. Our farrier doesn't think she'll come around.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Harry Hobbes]

I'm worried that because she is 11 she is set in her ways and chances of getting her to comply are low.
She is probably experienced at not yielding her feet; but that doesn't mean that she cannot be re-trained, although it does mean that she may require more time and effort than a green horse.

There are several methods to train the horse to yield its feet, and mostly they require that the human persistently ask, and then reward for the slightest try; then build the tries to a longer yield time. In other words, she can be trained to pick up her own feet on cue, and hold them unweighted.

Best regards,
Harry

[virtuallyhorses]

ditto Harry - any horse of any age can be taught new things. :)

BTW What does it mean when you say 'used a stock to trim her feet' ?

[Harry Hobbes]

"Stocks" are a metal framework that one walks the horse into, and encloses the horse left, right, front and back. The horse is basically enclosed in the metal frame, and it (theoretically) can't move around too much.

Harry

[Sam and Blake]

You could get a back specialist to look check him/her over.He might be uncomfortable .Just a suggestion but better to be safe then sorry.