Leaning When Picking Hooves

[Bejeweld]

Hello again everyone! THe other day I was picking the hooves of "my" mare when she started to lean on me. I patted her on the shoulder to signal her not to(she is very spooky and I didn't want to frighten her so I was very gentle). SHe got off for a second, and then started to lean again. I repeated this process a couple of times when I finally decided this was getting dangerous (I really don't want a 1,000+ pound animal landing on me) and thought it wise to stop. Before I could put the hoof down however, she tripped and almost fell over (would have if I had not released her hoof so quickly). I really need to do something to make her stop, but nothing seems to be helping. I know this can become very dangerous, and don't want to see myself or one of my friends hurt by this. Any suggestions?

[dreamer]

I think you had the right idea of letting her know that she shouldn't lean on you, be carefull that she doesn't figure out that if she starts to go down you let go, I had a horse that would neal down when I picked up her feet because when she started to go down everyone else let go, I held on and let her stay there while I cleaned her feet, beleave me, she wasn't happy not being able to get up out of a kneeling position. Then again, my gelding is lazy and will not hold his own foot up, he leans on me and my fareor something fearce and I haven't had any luck getting him to hold his own weight. If you horse responded to the signals you were giving her to knock it off, then you should keep up with them, but don't let it go as far, as soon as she even STARTS to lean on you, even a little, let her know that she isn't alloud. Do however be careful if she acts like she'll fall OVER, falling over is alot different than kneeling on you and you do want to get out of the way. most horses can move a number of seps on three legs in they want to and might do so to get you to let go. My filly's rear moves when I'm working on her front feet, but she doesn't put any weight on me at all, and I 've had her hop over with her front while I was working on the other front one. You kind of have to jude the horse you're working with, my fill's a bit of a spook, and all I need is a sharp quit and she acts like you smacked her while my gleding you could beat till your blue in the face and he wouldn't care one way or the other (No I don't beat him, it's an exageration of how he acts, he doens't care what you do to him)

[ej_dey]

dreamer already answered your question pretty thoroughly but I just thought I'd reinforce what she said. My horse has a bad habit with his front feet of leaning back and pulling against his lead rope and 'falling' on me to get me to put his foot down. Cross tying him helped a little but he was still trying. At first I put it down afraid that he would hurt himself or me but finally out of desperation I held on and he stopped and behaved. Ever since then he's been pretty good. I can't relate to your horse or your exact problem but I still think just letting her know and being firm and holding on would help. If you really don't feel confident enough to hold on if it is too dangerous get proffessional help. Even your farrier can help a lot. I know my farrier deals a lot with ornery horses (or young horses just trying out different methods of mischeviousness :) and helps me out a lot. Ok sorry for the lengthy answer but I couldn't resist. Hope she gets better ;)

[sugaree]

Hey there :),
Everytime your horse starts to lean on you,immediately drop her hoof and step away,don't set her foot down gently,just let it go and drop.after a few times of this,she should put 2 &2 together and stop leaning on you.however,if she doesn't let me know and I'll start you on the next step(no pun intended)

[This message has been edited by sugaree (edited 20 January 2000).]

[Pamela]

When I first got my horse I had a time just to get him to lift his feet, then the leaning started. When he leaned into me, I just put all I could into leaning into him. He did stop after awhile. It got even better after I got him used to being in the cross ties. Still leans a little, gotta show him who is the BOSS. I was doing the treat thing for(every once in a while) that also worked for him, but my neighbors horses go nuts over the things. So I would be careful with that one.