Picking Up A Horse's Hoof
The idea of picking up a horse's hooves can intimidate some owners since a well-placed horse kick would really hurt! Such caution is good, but in reality if you pick up a horse's hoof properly you provide him with no leverage or ability to kick you. This is a situation where a person's worst fears can cause him to imagine an incident that is highly unlikely to occur with careful handling. Here's how to safely pick up a horse's hoof: Starting with the front hoof, approach your horse diagonally from his front so that he clearly knows you are there ? you don't want to surprise him. Place yourself even with his shoulder and make sure to face his rear; you will both be facing opposite directions during the hoof picking process. Making sure that your feet aren't too close to the horse's hoof, start running the hand parallel to him down his shoulder and along the length of his leg, finally stopping just above his ankle.
Gently grasp the ankle portion and click (or otherwise verbally cue him) to ask him to raise his leg. If he's well trained, that small cue will be more than enough and he'll do just what you requested. You're now free to begin picking his hoof. If your horse is being a bit stubborn or hasn't learned how to pick up his legs yet try leaning into his shoulder as you run your hand down the back of his cannon bone. You can also gently squeeze/pinch the tendons to further cue him to what you would like.
As you perform these physical cues make sure you provide a verbal one also (I make a clicking sound) so the horse later associates your sound with the requested response. Increase the weight you push against his shoulder until he finally lifts his leg as requested. When picking a horse's hoof you want to remove all debris from the hoof clefts as well as the rim and frog. Be careful around the frog because it can sometimes be a bit sensitive, particularly if the horse has thrush. Once you have finished cleaning the front hoof carefully guide it back to the floor; you don't want to allow the horse to slam it, potentially hitting your foot in the process.
Praise your horse and pat him on the front shoulder a bit so he understands that you are pleased with his cooperation, then run your hand along his back to his rear leg. Place yourself in the same position as you did with his front leg and do the process over again. There is a slight difference between lifting a rear foot and front foot, even though your basic positioning and actions are nearly identical. When you lift your horse's rear foot he will probably give a little jerk that you might misinterpret as a kick. This is a common reflex reaction among horses and nothing for you to worry about.
Secondly, when you raise your horse's rear leg you'll want to step into him a bit so that your hip is underneath his leg. Rest his leg on your thigh, grab his hoof and gently flex it upwards. By doing this you lend him some support and more importantly the position of his leg and his flexed hoof will prevent him from being able to kick you. Clean the hoof, lower it cautiously as you did the first and praise him. Congratulations ? you're halfway done! The opposite side will be done exactly the same way, but try to return to his front and start the opposite side rather than move around his rear.
It's bad practice to approach or circle all but the most trusted horses via the rear in such close quarters since a horse would be within range to strike. When lifting any hoof try to make sure your horse is properly squared (balanced evenly on all four legs) so that when you lift one hoof he can easily balance on his remaining three. At no time should the horse actually lean his weight on you! Even when you rest his rear leg on your thigh you're not allowing him to use you as a crutch. Once you have picked your horse's hooves a few times it will probably become very simple and take less than 5 minutes to clear all hooves. Most trained horses will raise their hoof for you the moment they feel your leg run down their leg.
It is a very good idea to control your horse's head while you are picking his hooves. This can be done by attaching his halter to crossties or asking a partner hold your horse's head. By controlling his head you ensure your horse can't move away from you while you're trying to pick his hooves, or worse? turn around and take a bite at your rear!Visit http://www.alphahorse.com/horse-care.html to view other articles pertaining to horse care..
Jeffrey Rolo, owner of AlphaHorse and an experienced horse trainer and breeder, is the author of the above article.You will find many other informational articles dealing with horse training and care as well as games and other horse fun on his website:
http://www.alphahorse.comCopyright © 2004 AlphaHorse. All Rights Reserved.webmaster@alphahorse.com
Horse Recreation On-line Store Launches New Products
Mesquite, NV (ContentDesk) February 4, 2006 -- Mountain Horse, Inc.s online store caters to the trail rider and horse camper.
Adding portable corrals to the product line of www.MontanaMountainHorse.com provides the horse recreation enthusiast with a safe resting area for their hard-working trail horses and peace of mind for themselves. The Carri-lite Corral is patent pending portable stall that provides convenience in transporting as the corral collapses down to 1/5th or 1/6th its size. This portable corral can fit in the mid-tack area, bed of truck, even back seat.
The new Mountain Horse All-Leather Go Light Saddles are economical, lightweight all leather saddles.
Weighing only 25 pounds and costing under $399.00, these are an excellent option for the rider who is looking for a lightweight saddle, but doesnt want a synthetic saddle.
For the horse enthusiast with more than one horse,...
Horse > Horse Recreation On-line Store Launches New Products
More Texans Commit to Anti-Horse Slaughter Bill
Houston, TX (ContentDesk) May 24, 2004 -? On May 11, 2004 U. S. Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (D-18-TX) did something that only 6 of her 32 colleagues from Texas had done ? she co-sponsored H.R. 857, The American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act.Vivian Farrell, founder and president of the Houston-based The Fund for Horses expressed her gratitude, and added, "I was particularly pleased to see this not only as her constituent, but also as the president of a horse protection organization based in her constituency."Since then, U. S.
Congressmen Nick Lampson (D-9-TX) and Charles Gonzalez (D-20-TX) signed onto the federal bill that, if enacted, would ban horse slaughter and export for slaughter.Texans for Horses, a group organized last year to battle against state legislation that would have legalized horse slaughter in that state, and now under the mantle of The Fund for Horses, have been just as active at the federal level.
"They have lobbied very hard indeed," said Farrell.
Horse > More Texans Commit to Anti-Horse Slaughter Bill
How To Choose The Proper Hay For Your Horse
To have a strong and healthy horse it is important for you to feed them properly. Feeding them quality hay will give them the important nutrients and minerals they need. The amount of proteins needed by a horse are dependent on their metabolism, age, and rate of work. An adult horse will eat about 2% of its body weight every day, and experts recommend that half of the food eaten daily should be hay.
If your horse ways a thousand pounds, they should be eating at least ten pounds of hay each day. All hay is basically divided into two categories which are grass and legumes.
Legume hay is much more nutritious than grass hay, and has more calcium and protein. While hay will not give horses all the vitamins and nutrients they need to stay healthy, it is essential for all horses whether they are used for competitions or not.
Once you have decided which type of hay is best for your horse it is important to study it. Find out if you like the smell or feel...
Horse > How To Choose The Proper Hay For Your Horse