4 and 1/2 month old foal

Question
Hi there, i have a 4 and 1/2 month old shire colt. He is lovely and has such a character, i have halter broken him, he has been lead about and has taken really well to it. He has been lightly groomed, rubbing him all over. However he does not like his feet being picked up, and when i try he throws his foot forward or kneels right to the ground, he isnt nasty with it and doesnt try to kick me. please help i dont know what to do

Answer
Hi Sophie!

You horse does not know how to balance on three feet.  You will have to teach him that he can do this and feel good about it.  It requires a lot of trust for a horse to give a foot away, it means they are vulnerable and at risk.  You have to prove to him that he can survive this.  

Have you taught him how to give to pressure, yield his hind quarters?  Can you control, in softness every footfall?  Have you roped up his feet, belly, flanks?  Can you get him to hook on to you in a round pen and move a softly at all three gates in upward and downward transitions?  Can you lead him by a front foot and stop him off of a hind foot?

When you teach your horse THESE things, picking up a foot will no longer be an issue.  There is SO much more to having a horse truly educated on the ground.  You are missing SO much, way more than what I can help you with here.  

Horses just don't "do" the things we want them to do as humans, like picking up a foot and standing for a shoer.  You have to TEACH them!  It is YOUR responsibility.  If you don't know how, you have to find a good, qualified horseman or woman to help you.  If you let me know where you are, I might be able to help you find a teacher of quality.  DON'T go to a "horse trainer"...find a TEACHER that is a great HORSEMAN (woman) that really knows horses and that can help you with the whole horse.  Find someone that has studied with Ray Hunt, Tom Dorrence, Buck Brannaman or Bryan Neubert.  These are men that really know (knew) horses!  Ray and Tom have passed away, but Bryan, and Buck still travel and help people with their horses.  Get Buck's "Ground Work" book or DVD and teach your horse every last thing you see.  When you have done this, picking up feet, loading in a trailer, standing for the shoer and so many more things will be solved for your horse!

Good luck and keep me posted on your progress.

Denise