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Post by bindi on Feb 16, 2003 1:52:50 GMT -5
Hi everyone, Yet another question. What oh what do you do when the horse does NOT want their legs lifted and cleaned...  I managed to clean Lily's front hooves this morning, very packed with cow poops and other bits and peices. As soon as I headed for her back ones she started moving around, as soon as I lifted one she would slam it down, grrrrrrr. I have got a farrier coming tomorrow cos one of the shoes are loose and one of the front ones starting to chip at the nail sites. Not a good look and it makes me feel sick knowing that the back ones will be just as yucky as the front ones were. I oiled them tod-a-y and will keep doing that everyd-a-y from now on because it is so hot here and they are getting dry. She is fascinated by the smell of the oil, funny watching her sniff her feet. On another note, I rode her briefly tod-a-y. I was working with her with the saddle and bridle (now there was a challenge). Unfortunatly I couldn't have the headband on the bridle due to her cut above her eye. She was very skittery while I was on her, hates the bit (I have a snaffle) but generally walked around the paddock ok. She is very hard to make stop and stand but we managed it a few times and I will continue to ride her for ten or so minutes a day once I have had her feet checked. Is a martingale worth while? She is tossing her head around quite a lot but if it isn't necessary I don't want to slap another peice of leather on her. Thanks in advance for any advice you have. Bindi from a bootiful sunny evening in NZ where we have lost two races in the defence of the America's Cup boat race - boo hoo -  |
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Post by BriscoMomma on Feb 16, 2003 7:32:16 GMT -5
Bindi, forgive me for not knowing this already, but your horse is off the track? Recently? I thought I remembered reading that you just got her, but I sure can't remember for sure. So please disregard the below if it doesn't apply! I'm also not sure if it applies to the way horses are handled at tracks not in the US - so keep that in mind as well. First off, at the tracks here, all the grooming, etc., is done in their stalls. The horses are used to being snapped to a single tie while in the stall for their daily grooming. We pick their feet all from the near side, without going around to the other for the off side feet. If she's off the track, she knows how to get her feet picked, and could be just testing her boundaries with you if it's not her favorite thing to do. Make sure that when you release her foot when you are finished with it, it is allowed to go back to the ground on YOUR terms - in-other-words, hang on until YOU release it for her to put it down and reward her for this behavior in whatever method you choose. The release of her foot is also a reward for her allowing you to hold it up as you please. Pick up her foot and before she has a chance to slam it back down, release it. Might only have in it hand for a split second, but work your way up to longer periods of time and be firm, but not rough (naturally  ). And stay in close so she can't nail you if she seems to have that type of behavior in her. If she's got cow poo in her feet, I'm assuming she's turned out. If you are having problems getting them cleaned, not being stalled is a good thing. Don't fret about it much, just be slow and consistent with her. I've got a feeling she knows what she's supposed to do, she's just testing you (if my hazy history about her - that might not even be the right person with the right horse! - is correct). |
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Post by Lisann on Feb 16, 2003 8:15:00 GMT -5
Wow! I didn't know OTTB's were used to having all their hooves picked from the near side - I might have to try that with my two today! Silly me, walking ALL the way around to the other side :tongue:
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Post by niaru on Feb 16, 2003 9:29:19 GMT -5
Yes, Rita was very good at that (picking up her feet from the near side). I tend to train all the horses I work with to do that, it's just faster/easier for the person. Bindi, does she know the WHOA command? I would teach her on the ground first, then once she knows it it will be a breeze when you ride her. Might take some time tho I used a running martingale on Rita at the beginning because she sometimes would put her head WAY up and TAKE OFF lol. I didn't need anymore recently though. I had her in a snaffle at first, but she didn't like it and was rooting. I switched to a loose ring French link and she was much happier. But every horse is different. |
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Post by HokieLee on Feb 16, 2003 10:21:05 GMT -5
She also might be having a little soreness anywhere in her hind end that could contribute to her not wanting to have her feet held up. If you could get someone (or a book) to show you some stretching for before and after riding, that might help. Madeline started doing that (actually kicking out) when her hip went out and I had to get her adjusted. She still does it to some extent if someone tries to yank her hind legs up. I also see a difference in her comfort level with her hind legs when she's not getting her Corta-flx (of course, she's 14). If you've just started her back into work I would definitely look for some soreness.
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Post by HokieLee on Feb 16, 2003 10:25:13 GMT -5
Also-bit note-I can't use a regular snaffle with one joint in my mare. She's much more comfortable with a thin french link. Currently, I'm using a boucher french link and she loves it. You might want to try a french link if you can borrow one-sometimes their dainty mouths like those better. I've used a standing martingale with success-just make sure it's loose enough to catch if she throws her head but not tight enough to hold her head down.
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Post by ZenRider on Feb 16, 2003 12:29:14 GMT -5
My Zen didn't like the Dr. Bristol I tried, which is much the same as the french link. Seems to go well with the simple copper eggbut snaffle though. Weird how horses have there things. Flynn goes best on a snaffle pelham, though he goes well enough with the hackamore for playing around.
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Post by bindi on Feb 16, 2003 12:48:27 GMT -5
Thanks so much for all of your advice. I know I have to be tuff with her, but I am still a bit wary and I damn well know she knows it. I made her leave her front hooves with me and we got there with them anyway. I am going to get the farrier, who is a great friend of mine to go thru her back ones with me tonight hopefully and just give me the confidence I need. Mrs Momma, brisco at that, sorry I don' know your name and feel that I should - yes I have only had her two weeks and have made great inroads with her already. We have become good friends but now she has to learns some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. She is fantastic with my partner (man) and I am guessing that there was lots of man handling at some stage with her. The bit :curse: her off cos she isn't able to eat with it in, not that I let her do that with me on her. It seems so big in her mouth... I will go down and look for something smaller when the MAN isn't around. Anyway thanks again, I'll let you know how the farrier goes. Bindi who would love a stall so all of this new stuff wouldn't be so new for Lily. |
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Post by ClaireLV on Feb 16, 2003 13:49:26 GMT -5
Also-bit note-I can't use a regular snaffle with one joint in my mare. She's much more comfortable with a thin french link. Currently, I'm using a boucher french link and she loves it. You might want to try a french link if you can borrow one-sometimes their dainty mouths like those better. I've used a standing martingale with success-just make sure it's loose enough to catch if she throws her head but not tight enough to hold her head down. Where did you find a boucher french link, when I was looking I could only find single jointed bouchers? |
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Post by Bara on Feb 16, 2003 14:27:35 GMT -5
Bribery is the answer to all ills (she said, sweeping statement!) Works for me! Even is you have to drag her feet up - she gets a carrot! Each foot. (Or a piece of carrot.) Give you a month and the feet are coming up on your approach ... Shallow beasts, horses!
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Post by CatB on Feb 16, 2003 17:20:49 GMT -5
Bribery is the answer to all ills (she said, sweeping statement!) Works for me! Even is you have to drag her feet up - she gets a carrot! Each foot. (Or a piece of carrot.) Give you a month and the feet are coming up on your approach ... Shallow beasts, horses! I totally agree, Bara! Every horse I've ever come across that didn't want to pick up its feet, quickly came around with carrot bribery. The slightest effort on their part was rewarded with a bit of carrot. The PoNee was especially bad about it, he would hardly let me get near his hindquarters, let along mess with his feet. A couple of bags of carrots later, he now allows me to trim those hind tootsies! |
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Post by adcooper on Feb 16, 2003 18:10:32 GMT -5
I find my horse is not so easy to bribe. She's stubborn that way. But some treats will melt even her heart! I try to keep them handy. Cypress has always resented having her back legs and feet handled. It's easier in the barn than outside. And, for some reason, easier when she's parked in the middle of the barn than when she's in a stall. She walks into any stall and immediately pees or poops, which I interpret as a territorial statement. Fine. She can have it. I have alternatives! Okay. I compromise and put her where she's most likely to cooperate. It's the same place the vet looks at her, and the farrier works on her, so she's come to associate it with handling. She's also better if she's loosely tied--no cross ties for this mare! Sometimes I just toss the lead rope over her back. She associates the halter and rope with being in my control, and will usually stand quietly while I work on her this way. I always do this when I hose her off in hot weather. I agree with the slow steady approach. Wretched experience has taught me that a disobedient TB, when smacked smartly with a crop, will not become instantly submissive. Ahhh.... They'll make gentle creatures of us all, eventually, won't they?  |
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Post by CatB on Feb 16, 2003 18:22:50 GMT -5
simply has discriminating tastes. Perhaps you should try importing Polo mints or Belgium chocolate! ;D
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Post by ClaireLV on Feb 16, 2003 20:18:49 GMT -5
Truffles or Foix Gras pate? Caviar? Jasper's suggestions. He seems to see Cypress as a most discerning lady.
The mare's do seem fussier than the geldings. I can bribe Jasper with anything, but Avalon just won't buy into it.
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Post by Skye Pilot on Feb 17, 2003 7:39:43 GMT -5
Has anyone ever watch Brege? I just finished watching him give a mustang a 1st trim. He talked about all the issues you are having. He said, "whoever controls the feet controls the mind." She is still telling you she is in control.
Red and Diego both have what I call the thoroughbred kick.... you pick up there back feet and they give a ninny slight kick... I stand in close when I pick up the feet so I can feel the muscles in the leg. They will signal if they are going to kick by muscle tension. I have rubbed my horses all over to desensitize them before I work on feet plus I work on ground training to make sure I can move the horse back and forward and sideways before I pick up feet. If you are having issues with her and your partner is not, I would suspect that you are lower on the pecking order than you should be with Lily. If you put some quality time in with Lily on the patience and training part, I think you will see a change in attitude where she just wants to be your friend and not fight and kick.
Good point Christie.... I forgot about the near side thing... Pontiac, Red and Diego's track trainer (same trainer) told me that when I was checking out horses... I think that is why I bought horses from the same trainer. He did his ground work with the boys.
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). And stay in close so she can't nail you if she seems to have that type of behavior in her.
