At 11:15:52 on 20.10.08, Horse Girl wrote:
I would like to hear from anyone who has an opinion on this subject. Some people who keep their horses in pick them out on coming in from the field. What if your horse lives out all the time?

At 00:14:44 on 25.10.08, Paso Girl wrote:
I think that if your horse lives out all the time you need to care just as much, if not more for their feet. They can pick up stones and so you have to check on a daily basis. Have to admit not my favourite job when you have big cob feet and they've been playing in the pond area i.e. muddy - mentioning no names...skippy!!!

At 00:16:38 on 25.10.08, Paso Girl wrote:
Also forgot to say it's good to keep up the training with youngsters with picking their feet up. As Rich knows all too well, even when we've been picking up our youngsters feet daily they can still be little sods...definitely not mentioning any names Juanita - sorry Rich!

At 16:09:11 on 31.10.08, NoGoingBackSarah wrote:
Keep a pair of rubber gloves in your kit so it's not quite so yucky a job.

At 23:02:32 on 18.11.08, ChristineB wrote:
TBH my horses get their feet picked out every day when they come in for a bite to eat. It is part of their routine. Bring in, tie up, hose mud off feet, pick feet out, change rug, feed. We do this every day even if they are going straight back out again. Means that even if we don't ride they are checked over for lumps, bumps, wounds etc and they know that there is always the same routine. I think this is very important so that the horse always knows what is coming . My husband has a very nervous mare so it is very important for her that we keep to a fairly strict routine otherwise she starts acting up. This is just my own way of doing things but I have found that it really works.

At 22:20:17 on 19.11.08, Horse Girl wrote:
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Horses are so much better for a routine whatever it is. I have had youngsters who were pretty wild and after a couple of weeks of a set pattern of events - even if it is just a feed and their feed being picked out - they are much less stressed around us. I usually incorporate something 'nice' for a horse/pony who is worried. I have a Dartmoor pony who ran pretty wild with a bunch of stallions for 2 years. He is wary but not nasty and I have an apple block that I take and let him lick whilst I stoke him - nothing more. He is finally coming round. Any other suggestions would be gratefully received.

At 08:38:54 on 10.12.08, lyn wrote:
if iam around a youngster i no not every one has the time but i get a good book and at first just a quick hello then just sit and read they soon come and stand next to you and i found when you go to do your routine they are much more happy to cooperate with you but it sounds like you all are very loving and piratical

At 08:50:10 on 10.12.08, Horse Girl wrote:
Spending time with any youngster is essential like you say. There is a book by a Native American Indian called Pony Boy. He says that the reason the indians had such amazing relationships with their horses was because they spent a lot of time with them. He suggests that everyone should spend a day in their horses field watching them and getting to know their habits so that we better understand our particular horses likes and dislikes.

At 18:10:41 on 15.01.09, saddleup wrote:
Yes, spending time with your horse,just being with him...It's such a good thing to remind us about as we all, I imagine, have a tendency to make a routine out of anything we do, even something as rewarding as being around your horse. Nice one, Horsegirl. Regarding the picking up of feet - I like the old horseman's way of just doing it from one side, fore and aft. Once your horse is used to this, he will obligingly pass his far hoof through to you, almost crossing his legs. It can be very handy if he is up against a wall. I wonder how many of you use this technique?

At 07:16:47 on 27.08.09, essexequine wrote:
I do all the time. It safes time when you have 9 or 10 sets of hoofs to pick out at once