Trimming

Question
I have a 5 year old half Quarter half Arab gelding and he despises having his feet trimmed.  When he was little a guy tried to trim his feet. I wish I would have been there for it but he never showed up on time and I had a class that I couldn't miss. He came when I was gone so hard telling what he did to my horse.  When I got back my horse had whelps on him where the guy had hit him.  From that day on he won't let you pick up his back feet.  A twitch doesn't even work.  I don't know what to do with him.  Any ideas?

Answer
HEY GINA...THANKS FOR YOUR QUESTION.

I do have a few ideas. What is done is done. In my opinion,
horses will never forget an injustice or a kindness!!

They will forgive if time and the "right" person gets them past the "wreck" in their lives. STAY AWAY FROM FORCE AND TWITCHES!! I feel if you want something from a horse, YOU
HAVE TO ASK FOR IT...bottom line. YES.. it will take time.
It will also take time to get in a hurry and do it wrong.

Preferably, have a Certified farrier/Journeyman farrier
with experience work with your horse. Nine times out of ten
they can get by a horse with a "scared or abused" problem.
Second choice...if you don't have the experience yourself;
find a qualified trainer and usually within 2 weeks or less
they will be able to pick up the hind legs, rub up and down
the limbs without a fight.

You can also have a veterinarian use a mild tranquilizer to
take the "edge off" and as long as the horse IS NOT overly
sedated and ONLY relaxed ...sometimes the horse will give in without an incident and once handled in a good manner,
he/she won't forget the experience. This works well if the horse has "bonded" to you or is very comfortable with you.

I hope I've help you you with a few choices...
Like yourself, I wish it had never happened.
Best of luck to you !!
Joepaul Meyers,C.J.F.