problem horse

Question
My mare is a rescue. She is very gentle and loves people. I can do anything with her except pick up her feet. She has scars on both back feet from a previous accident. She is really gentle and rides good but refuses to allow her feet to be touched. What can I do to correct this problem?

Answer
Hi Mike, First of all congrats for rescuing some a great mare, sounds like you are giving her a wonderful home too. As far as her hind feet go, I would start with some slow desesitizing. Using a long stiff lunge whip, I'd start by getting her used to touching her everwhere with it, before advacing to her hind legs. Then start with just resting it near them then touching them, removing them before she even starts to react. Horses learn from the release of pressure, not the pressure itself. You want her to realize that there is nothing to fear and if she stands it goes away. Start with just a few touches at a time, keep the lessons short and be sure to stand at her shoulder away from her hind in, in case she kicks or bolts. If she does move forward or away from the pressure, allow her a few steps, but if it's more than that, I'd send her forward and ask her to lunge around you a few times. You want to make doing the right thing easy (standing for you to touch her legs) and the wrong thing, (moving) hard. After she'll accept the touch of a whip, I'd then tie a cloth around the edge of the whip and do the exercises over with the cloth attached. Be sure you work both sides equally. Then, I'd move to a think soft rope, by now you should be able to approach her hind end and slide the rope around her leg, at the stifle and just allow it to lay there. You want to work up to being able to slide the rope up and down her leg and eventually rest it behind her pastern and get her to flex it and lift it up, with you pulling taunt on the rop. Again, be sure to work at her shoulder in a secure area and I'd suggest having a 12-15 foot lead on her, in case she moves off quickly. As soon as she'll accept the rope on her legs, take the towel you used previously on her and rub her entire body with it, to includer her hind legs as well. This could take hours, days or weeks, but with the prompt release of pressure when she stands and rewarding her often, she'll soon trust you to handle her hind feet.

Best Wishes, Jen