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How to Teach Your Horse to Pick Up a Hoof

By eHow Pets Editor

Rate: (11 Ratings)

Since most horses weigh at least 1,000 pounds, picking up a horse's hoof to clean or inspect it is difficult if not impossible without their consent.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Hoof Picks
Boots
Horse

Teaching your horse to lift his hoof

Step1

Stand beside the horse next to his left (near side) shoulder.

Step2

Face the rear end of the horse.

Step3

Reach down with your left hand, and with your index finger and thumb find the tendons that run behind the knee joint.

Step4

Give this area a tickle - it's a little like your own funny bone.

Step5

Wait for the horse to lift his hoof.

Step6

Retry the technique by moving your fingers around a little bit to find the proper area behind the knee. Be patient.

Step7

Cup your hand around the cannon bone (the front bone between the knee and the hoof) from the inside, with your fingertips facing the outside of the leg. The closer to the hoof you hold the leg, the more leverage you have.

Step8

Move to the left (near side) back leg and stand even with the horse's hip, close to the horse's body. Place your left hand on the horse's hipbone (to push yourself away if the horse kicks or moves suddenly).

Step9

Starting on the buttocks, move your right hand down to the back of the hock (the knee joint). Stimulate the nerves and tendons on the inside of the hock. The horse will lift his leg.

Step10

Slide your left hand under the cannon bone, fingers to the inside or underside of the horse, cradling the lower leg.

Step11

Slowly stretch out the horse's leg to the back. Your shoulders should remain square and you should be facing the hindquarters.

Step12

Slide your left hand down and cup your fingers around the end of the hoof.

Tips & Warnings

It is better to tickle behind the knee than to tickle behind the pastern or fetlock (just above the hoof at the back) because you won't have to bend over as far and you can keep an eye on the back leg in case the horse wants to kick.
If you stand too far forward of the horse's hind leg, you are in danger of being kicked.
Watch your feet when you stand close to a horse; you don't want to get stepped on.
Start with the left (near side) front hoof and work counterclockwise. Eventually, your horse will automatically pick up his hoof as you move to the next position.
Always wear hard-toed shoes when working with horses.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 You know when you walk behind a horse, to pat it on it's hindquarters, well try to get that same habit when you go to the back legs to lift up it's hoof too! Gently pat around it's hip bones to let it know you're there!

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 After the horse picks up his foot, always show him you appreciate it. This will teach him faster.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 The horse may be afraid you won't give his foot back! To encourage trust, always let him have his foot back in case he feels off balance or afraid. Show him that you are reasonable. Also, if you slightly lean into him with your weight it will help him to be able to pick up his hoof without losing his balance.

Anonymous said

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on 2/1/2006 When dealing with a green horse and teaching it to pick up its hind feet, I use a Shepherd's cane to slide up and down the leg to desensitize, and finally hooking around pastern with a little pressure until you get a small lift. This is an extension of your hand without getting you hurt. The horse can kick out all it wants, but eventually you'll get an acceptance and build on that.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Snap your fingers three times before teaching him to pick his foot up. Repeat doing this with patience and by the 7 to 10 time he will pick it up in one snap. Do this for 4 days straight and he will have it forever.

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