At 13:38:06 on 29.09.09, Flicka wrote:
I was reading another thread on picking out feet which was discussing picking out all four feet from one side. Picking out feet is something people can have a lot of problems with especially with a youngster so I found a couple of videos with different ideas and wonder which ones you use or find interesting. In this one Julie Goodnight-I just love the name- tips the toe, places the foot back on the ground, and gently eases the horses back foot into position which is pretty much the method I use. I also sometimes use what I call the farriers position which she shows with the off hind.

At 13:43:47 on 29.09.09, Flicka wrote:
This guy believes in dropping the horses feet after you've picked it up which I've seen with a few other cowboy videos- I don't know if this is a 'natural horsemanship' thing? Also he show you how to use a rope to pick up the feet of a difficult or young horse.

At 13:48:31 on 29.09.09, Flicka wrote:
I actually think I prefer this method of using a walking stick by Robin Shen. Someone I know, and think is very good with young horses, advised me to do a similar thing with a difficult youngster we have but suggested using a really lightweight kitchen broom instead.

At 10:49:24 on 14.10.09, farasi wrote:
I just ask my horse for the next foot and it picks it up ready for me. I can do it all from one side, repition is the key to horses learning. i also leg go of my horses feet and they do not drop to the floor as they hold them up for me with no weight on me, so they place them down on their own. Any youngster I have had has never been a problem, as ithe ones I have had from a foal are very good with their feet. Are sticks really needed?

At 11:51:42 on 14.10.09, Flicka wrote:
My new mare was a bit difficult at first as she hadn't been handled for a while but I found if I did it when she had a bucket of food then she was so absorbed in it-greedy cow- that she didn't mind me picking out her feet. Now she's really relaxed about it and I can go up to her in the yard without her being tied up and like you as I go round in a set pattern they pick them up as I move towards them. So agree repetition is definitely the key. However on the other hand the youngster has been lethal with her back legs and has double barrelled two members of the family so far as well as catching then with single leg kicks so I think using the stick wouldn't be such a bad idea to safely get her used to it.

At 20:32:20 on 28.10.09, vetgirltotherescue wrote:
I really like the video Flicka posted. I end up training a lot of youngsters to pick up feet etc and i now use a schooling whip to get them used to being touched all the way down their legs. i then tap them gently in the heel until they pick up their foot and then say 'up!', instantly remove the whip and praise. i then just repeat until they know that the annoying whip-tickling stops when they pick up their feet! also works really well for back legs. then i progress to a shorter crop and then hands. i'm also very careful to only have the foot of the floor for an instant as babies get very worried if they feel off-balance. you can then progress to having the foot off the floor for longer! Flicka- your youngster sounds like lots of fun! i've had a few like this and definitely start off with a stick or whip to keep you out of harms way. with her back legs, first tie her up with a haynet etc and rub the whip all over her back legs.tap her heels til she picks up- don't worry if she kicks, just try and keep the whip on her heel til it stops flying about and then remove it. that whip only leaves her foot when she's calm! snatching the foot up though is fine, that's a natural baby thing. you'll get there! i love training youngsters as you can get rid of all those annoying habits older horses get!

At 21:54:17 on 12.12.09, Em28 wrote:
Just watched the video with the use of the stick, does it seem a bit dangerous to anyone else, when he first lifts the hind leg with his hand? If the horse were to kick out forwards, which is the direction that would be most likely if resisting being held, to get foot back on the ground. The horse would kick him straight in his privates?!

At 22:47:24 on 12.12.09, NMH wrote:
Do so agree it's all about repetition, again & again, daily, & getting them gradually to realize 'old hat', or no big deal, when you handle their legs & gradually accustom them to having their foot up for longer. I've never used a stick yet but can see the point if safety is a real issue. What can go wrong is to think "I ought to be able to do this" too soon! A fight is always bad! Been there too! I see no reason why a youngster shouldn't accept all 4 feet being done from one side, it's just a question of getting there slowly & planning to make each small step no great issue. It is so nice to have a youngster you can then walk up to in the field & just lift up feet without a headcollar & no fuss.

At 18:51:10 on 15.12.09, wrote:
Hi,Have just watched all 3 videos and think the first video is the better of all three,however have you noticed when she's picking up hind leg she keeps her hand to the outside of the foot.When i pick out our horses hind feet i run my hand down till i get to hock then put my hand around the inside to pick up hoof.I was shown that yrs ago and have never had a problem as its a safe way,if the horse kicked out my arm would come away naturaly.if i held my hand on the outside and horse kicked out i could have my arm broke.As regards using the stick,would'nt it be better to make up a dummy arm using old broom stick with a glove stuffed with hay,straw or newspaper including fingers.Using this method you can get the horse used to being touched all over including hind legs and feet without being kicked or injured as it is an extension of your arm.If he were to kick out keep it there till he stops then take it away.Timing is important as its a pressure,release concept and by taking the dummy hand away horse is being rewarded.As we use our hands to pet,groom check for lumps or bumps,massage and put tack on surely this works out better than a stick,rope or whip could ever do.Patience is a virtue.Anyone got any thoughts on this?

At 19:09:35 on 15.12.09, bernadette wrote:
Forgot to add my name to above message.Bernadette