My Percheron

Question
Hi,I have a Percheron draft horse that I got recently. I need help in teaching him to keep his feet up for me or the farrier. He is a rescue horse. he was rescued 1 year ago and his feet hadn't been trimmed for about 2 years prior. I have just moved so I got a new Farrier, and he came last Monday to trim and look at his feet. His hooves have come a long way in the past year.  The lady I bought him from said he was fine for her farrier, but he wasn't so good with mine.
He is also being treated for an abscess in his front foot, so I don't know if the added pressure to the other feet might be why he doesn't hold them up for very long.
He is too big to force him to pick them up or hold them up.
Thanks in advance,
Sara

Answer
HELLO SARA...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION...

Seeing that he had an abscess, WILL cause him to be alittle apprehensive...he'll get over it.

Sounds like his biggest problem is he wasn't "trained" to be trimmed.
Also being a rescue horse; as you already know, he has "history"
and I'm sure he's had plenty of bad memories!!

In the horse business, I've know some of the best and worst in
people. Because of my years...I don't want to call anybody a liar...
BUT IF he gave the other farrier not a moments trouble, he was probably tranquilized.

If patience and time slowly working with him and because of his size,
isn't going to work; I would have the veterinarian come out with the farrier and give him alittle tranquilizer...enough to "just" relax him for the farrier to do his work. You may not for awhile, be able to do this yourself (clean his hooves and such)because of your size
or strength?? After a few times (should be trimmed probably at a 6 week schedule) HE WILL improve. Repetition is the "key".

It would be easier if he was a saddlehorse, but his size does matter.
Alot of farriers have trouble trimming Drafts. They don't do that many on a regular basis and have trouble staying under them. Your farrier will HAVE to show alot of extra patience also and be willing to put up with his "lack-of-training". It's not his or your fault !! Just things we can't control.

Hope I've help in some way...it is a difficult situation and I
might think differently if I was working on him  or just there to observe.

The Best to you...
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F.