At 12:32:59 on 14.05.10, La Palma wrote:
Me and Nelly have come a long way since I bought her 5 month ago. She was then 9 month and had never had a halter on and was not use to be touched. Now she likes to be groomed, and no problem touching/brushing or taping her on all four legs and hoofs. I can now lift her front legs without protest, but the problem comes when I try to lift her back legs, she tries to kick me. Should I ignore her kicking, and just continuing trying? I think if I slap her when she's kicking maybe that makes it a bigger issue?

At 19:34:34 on 15.05.10, bernadette wrote:
Hi La Palma,You should maybe make up a dummy arm and try touching her hind quarters,then run it down her hind leg,if she kicks out leave it there and the moment she stops take it away.Sounds like she's still unsure bout you picking up her back feet.At least by using the dummy arm it keeps you safe and hopefully teaches Nelly that its ok and there's nothing to worry about. I think if you just ignore the kicking and still try to pick up her foot it'll make matters worse.She's letting you know she's not happy bout it and it would be wise to listen.Patience is the key.Let me know how you go.B

At 18:19:44 on 16.05.10, La Palma wrote:
Thanks for your nice answer. The thing is that I can touch/groom her back legs/feet. She likes when I brush her legs, its when I try to lift she kicks. I can even touch her hole body,legs and hoofs when she is laying down. I think it could be that she gets scared that she will lose balance when I lift her back feet? She is not a nervous horse, hardly ever get scared and goes up to everything that she doesn't know to have a smell. I think I will try to continue to lift her back legs, but just a little bit from the ground, not high up, and try not to get kicked :o I have tried with a rope and we didn't like that, she starts to jump around, she don't mind the rope as long as it doesn't try to lift her foot.

At 15:42:48 on 19.05.10, csherrenbrueck wrote:
Let her jump with the rope, if you have to. Of course make sure someone who is well versed in this is around. I know it's hard to watch our horses like this but they can't think or learn that they can get away without giving us the hoof and letting us work on it no matter how long it takes. Come Monday my horse will probably end up in ropes so we can trim since she likes to rear and kick and push etc. I'm not looking forward to it, but it is a safety issue for the trimmer and handlers when a horse doesn't co-operate.

At 20:13:00 on 19.05.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
my horse used to be very touchy around the back legs...i jus perservered and did it in stages like asking him to lift it slightly, if he did kick around i kept a firm hold of his hoof until he stopped fighting. i also had someone at his head with a lick so that once he lifted his hoof (not trying to kick) he got a reward...took a while but slow progress is better than no progress

At 09:57:33 on 21.05.10, La Palma wrote:
Thanks both of you for your answers. I think I try for a while to do like ToriSilverson did, and if that doesent work, maybe I try the ropes. But I wont give up thats for sure :-)

At 22:16:20 on 21.05.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
thats good let us know how you get on :) its probably just a confidence thing...once your build up trust and confidence it should be ok

At 15:40:20 on 22.05.10, La Palma wrote:
I have not tried to lift her feets for a few days, and today she let me lift all four without any problems, great! I touch wood and hope the problem is sorted !!

At 20:53:36 on 24.05.10, ToriSilverson wrote:
hopefully :)

At 21:02:59 on 24.05.10, JessAndGrenville123 wrote:
Grenville does this when he either has mud fever or if he has something causing pain in his back end, legs or his back is bothering him, your horse is probably trying to tell you something the famous saying is 'you just need to listen', try to find the cause of this behaviour so you can tackle it head on. Hope you get to the bottom of it.