training my mare

Question
last year we rescued some horses.  i am working with a mare and we think she is about 7 years old. i can get a halter on her and i have started to walk her around. my question is how can i get her to lead better? also when i pick her feet up she moves away and puts it down, what do you suggest to help me pick up her feet?

Answer
When you lead her, have her throatlatch area at your right shoulder, as you are leading her on her left side.  Move out confidently, and cluck or kiss to her.  Have the end of the lead rope coiled in your left hand, with your right hand about 12 inches or so away from underneath of halter.

Stay a distance away from her that lets you walk freely, but not so far that you are not in control.

To get her to lead better, while I am not sure exactly what she is or is not doing?  If it is that she is lagging behind, then get someone to walk behind the two of you, and make sure they are well beyond kicking range of her hind feet, with a empty paper feed bag.  You give the command to walk, and if she lags they need to gently rattle the bag.  Not hit her with it, just shake it low in front of them.  Once she starts moving forward, they do not need to shake it any more.  It is only to give just enough noise that she will know that when you move forward, she is to go with you, or the bag will rattle.

They could also clap their hands, slowly, or snap their fingers, but the bag works best.

If you are doing this by yourself?  Then you can either take a lunge whip, and carry it backwards in your left hand, so that you can reach behind you as you are walking forward, and tap her hindquarters with it while you move forward.  Be careful not to spook her by hitting too much or too hard.  And all you want is a gentle hint not a smack.

Or you can take a lariat, and make a big loop, and lay it over her rear, not under her tail, just let it lay over rump and it should not rest below her hocks.  This will mean you are slightly facing her as you walk, and if she balks, give a gentle tug on the hind rope, and tell her to come up, and walk.

You also need to be working with her by moving her front and hind around too.  This will help her realize that you are giving commands to be obeyed.

And make sure, when you are messing with her feet that you have her haltered and have a lead rope on her, to make it clear to her that you are in control of things.

Make sure she is not unbalanced when you take her feet, and if she pulls away, tell her no, and pick foot up again.  

You can also get her used to having her feet worked with by taking a lead rope, and grasping an end in each hand, pass it behind each leg, one at a time, and slightly see-saw it back and forth, up and down the legs one at a time.  When the rope is down at pastern, slightly tug, until she lifts her leg, and gently hold it up just a little.  This will teach her not to panic if caught too.  But it stimulates the blood flow, and gets her used to her legs being handled.

Also remember that a horse strikes forwards with front feet, and kicks backwards, (unless cow kicking) with the back.  Cup your hand around the back legs, rather than making a V with your thumb and fingers.  That works with front legs, but with the back legs, making the V when pinching or attempting to pick up legs, it can cause you to end up with a dislocated thumb, if horse pulls away by kicking back.

Everything you do also needs to be slow, consistent, and designed to let her know you aren't going to hurt her, but also that you will be in charge, not her.