I created a monster when I taught Filly to stretch her leg forwards. She seems to really enjoy have her leg pulled forward and then really stretching into my hand. Great for horse yoga, not so great for the farrier.
When the farrier is performing the finishing touches to the shoeing he place the hoof on a tripod to hold the hoof at a convenient height for using the rasp. This was very close to the position that she puts her foot in for that nice stretch so she puts all her weight on it and it falls over. Not helpful at all.
After a few shoeings like this I got my farrier to get me a tripod I could use at the yard for training. This may seem extravagant but I strongly believe that as the owner it is my responsibility to prepare my horse so that my farrier can perform his craft with as little interference from the horse as possible.
So how to train a horse to place the feet on a tripod and hold it there. It seemed like an obvious candidate for clicker training. So I use the cue "tripod" pick up her hoof and place it on the tripod, click, treat. Then repeat extending the time that she needs to keep the hoof on the tripod for in a relaxed fashion.
After two sessions I just have to say "Filly..Tripod" and point at her leg for her to pick it up. I then place her hoof on the tripod and help her to keep it there relaxed. Today for the first time she actually adjusted the pressure to keep the tripod up. Click and mega treat, then end of session.
I hope to build on this over the next few weeks so that the next shoeing is a little easier.
As for her leading. Today she was very good. Walking back across her field I noticed whenever she tried to get even a step beyond me. Just the energy and intention. Then turned 90 degrees so that she was behind me again maintaining my position in the lead with no fight. Possible in a large space, not so easy on a track of course.
When the farrier is performing the finishing touches to the shoeing he place the hoof on a tripod to hold the hoof at a convenient height for using the rasp. This was very close to the position that she puts her foot in for that nice stretch so she puts all her weight on it and it falls over. Not helpful at all.
After a few shoeings like this I got my farrier to get me a tripod I could use at the yard for training. This may seem extravagant but I strongly believe that as the owner it is my responsibility to prepare my horse so that my farrier can perform his craft with as little interference from the horse as possible.
So how to train a horse to place the feet on a tripod and hold it there. It seemed like an obvious candidate for clicker training. So I use the cue "tripod" pick up her hoof and place it on the tripod, click, treat. Then repeat extending the time that she needs to keep the hoof on the tripod for in a relaxed fashion.
After two sessions I just have to say "Filly..Tripod" and point at her leg for her to pick it up. I then place her hoof on the tripod and help her to keep it there relaxed. Today for the first time she actually adjusted the pressure to keep the tripod up. Click and mega treat, then end of session.
I hope to build on this over the next few weeks so that the next shoeing is a little easier.
As for her leading. Today she was very good. Walking back across her field I noticed whenever she tried to get even a step beyond me. Just the energy and intention. Then turned 90 degrees so that she was behind me again maintaining my position in the lead with no fight. Possible in a large space, not so easy on a track of course.
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