How to Teach Your Horse to Pick Up a Hoof

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.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Horse
• Hoof Picks
• Boots

Teaching your horse to lift his hoof

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

2. Face the rear end of the horse.

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

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

5. Wait for the horse to lift his hoof.

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

7. 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.

8. 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).

9. 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.

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

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

12. 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.

[TChat]

on 9/1/2008 What if your horse resists or kicks, and decides it doesn't want it's hooves trimmed. I had a ferrier fight with my horse over two hours to trim her front hooves. There was no way he could get near her hind legs. How do I work with my horse so she can get her hooves trimmed?

on 8/8/2006 If you pick the hooves, going from front to back is a lot faster. Go from the front leg to the back leg, then the front leg to the back leg. The horse will eventually catch on to this pattern.

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.

on 1/24/2006 If your horse is OK around the legs, and you pinch or pull the chestnut on the leg, it will tickle the horse so they pick up their hoof instead of you! If your horse gets used to the feeling, soon if you just touch the chestnut they will lift it up.

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.