tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post2380097692673928940..comments2024-03-01T06:49:59.106-05:00Comments on Behind the Bit: How to hold a horse for the farrierStacey Kimmel-Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-85165364274264197182017-04-30T16:00:05.350-04:002017-04-30T16:00:05.350-04:00Absolutely correct and so few people know this. Absolutely correct and so few people know this. Peachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04043208848108187249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-24787619098796229052010-07-08T17:38:46.787-04:002010-07-08T17:38:46.787-04:00A good way to help your horse get used to his feet...A good way to help your horse get used to his feet being messed with is to mess with your horses feet as much as you can. Spend extra time when you are picking your horses hooves out and take your palm and pat you horses hoof. If they have trouble with this then you know you need to get them more used to it. Chances are if your horse is giving you problems with the farrier, he's not Ginahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06013962840524993098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-88580230150997093452010-06-24T14:47:53.676-04:002010-06-24T14:47:53.676-04:00Only thing I'd add is if the horse has particu...Only thing I'd add is if the horse has particular pain issues, such as arthritis in a specific joint, make sure your farrier knows about it - a good farrier will work with the horse to make him comfortable so the experience is good for all. My mare with soundness issues gets 1 gram Bute the night before and 1 gram the morning of her farrier appointment - this has made things much easier.<br Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-26009596530416421482010-06-22T00:07:30.989-04:002010-06-22T00:07:30.989-04:00I've been lucky enough to own mostly horses wh...I've been lucky enough to own mostly horses who go to sleep while being shod. A lot of handling, and the example of a nice calm horse being done in front of your horse before his first time are helpful.<br /><br />Everyone has very good points, but let me add: if you need a twitch, use a twitch. Don't let your horse dance on top of your farrier because you're trying to train him. TheAllienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-82303981455506036472010-06-21T14:46:12.472-04:002010-06-21T14:46:12.472-04:00My guy started out great with farriers. Then, afte...My guy started out great with farriers. Then, after one visit with a farrier we later didn't like, he hated having his feet done. I'm not even sure what happened. He would try to kick at or knock over the farrier. At 18.1 hands, that's a lot of kicking reach. We got so fed up with it we started to drug him for his appointments. And that, more than anything else I think, helped; well, Emmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08311833402211622624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-21832203866956341012010-06-21T12:56:28.741-04:002010-06-21T12:56:28.741-04:00I made the mistake one time of scheduling the farr...I made the mistake one time of scheduling the farrier during feed time at a large boarding farm. Never again. My horse was frenetic that he was going to miss dinner and it took the poor farrier 2x the time for just a trim. Good advice.Friesianwelshxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11559821379568055421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-24985101819777186732010-06-21T11:31:07.309-04:002010-06-21T11:31:07.309-04:00I am lucky when it comes to my horses...they both ...I am lucky when it comes to my horses...they both are great for the farrier. In fact, my farrier got another job and dropped all but 6 of his clients, and I was one of the ones he kept because my horses are so easy. He can trim them both in about half an hour. For all their other short-comings, standing for the farrier is not one of them.<br /><br />P.S. Haha...Jerkabella...that was hilariousBannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10411396685109840881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-6175594378533469262010-06-21T07:55:35.425-04:002010-06-21T07:55:35.425-04:00I trim my horse's feet, which required that I ...I trim my horse's feet, which required that I learn to communicate with him while working at hoof level. Thankfully, he is a willing customer, but trimming takes a long time and he does have a limit to his patience. Here are some things that work for us that have not been previously mentioned:<br /><br />Give him breaks so he can put his foot down, but only at my discretion. I can feel Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-75139489642368387782010-06-21T06:40:58.365-04:002010-06-21T06:40:58.365-04:00I will say that a good and patient farrier is wort...I will say that a good and patient farrier is worth his weight in gold. Regular handling of feet is definitely a huge help too. Not sure it matters specifically where you stand, other than out of the way, (duh :o) but positioning your body at a slight angle to the horse instead of straight on is another positive body language you can give your horse to help facilitate calm.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17608579972739041880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-87860393864918995402010-06-21T06:40:40.293-04:002010-06-21T06:40:40.293-04:00I have seen a farrier hit a horse with a rasp -- t...I have seen a farrier hit a horse with a rasp -- think it was just an impulse, the horse NEEDED correction and it happened to be in his hand. Whip, hand, rope, broom(!) are okay with me but a rasp seems ill-advised. This horse was none worse for the wear, and the owner was not arround. <br /><br />What happens in the barn, stays in the barn.Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-53807076636540110712010-06-21T06:35:00.208-04:002010-06-21T06:35:00.208-04:00I'll add one other tip: Give your farrier cart...I'll add one other tip: Give your farrier carte blanche to discipline your horse (within reason, of course) if your horse should act up. <br /><br />I used to own a mare that would be a big old, well, you know with each new farrier (due to several moves, we have had a few farriers). I always said "I can discipline up here at the front, but nothing says 'knock-it-off' like a tap HLShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13695818095406866154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-59114408154532679572010-06-21T06:35:00.209-04:002010-06-21T06:35:00.209-04:00I'll add one other tip: Give your farrier cart...I'll add one other tip: Give your farrier carte blanche to discipline your horse (within reason, of course) if your horse should act up. <br /><br />I used to own a mare that would be a big old, well, you know with each new farrier (due to several moves, we have had a few farriers). I always said "I can discipline up here at the front, but nothing says 'knock-it-off' like a tap HLShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13695818095406866154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-3526015600913107122010-06-20T23:49:37.224-04:002010-06-20T23:49:37.224-04:00I read all the articles and the issue of where to ...I read all the articles and the issue of where to stand is not universal. Most articles suggested the positioning I wrote about in the blog -- but not all of them did. One article stated explicitly to ask each farrier where they want you to stand.Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-44951727598611271012010-06-20T23:32:10.772-04:002010-06-20T23:32:10.772-04:00Excellent post!
However I also believe the hand...Excellent post! <br /><br />However I also believe the handler stays on the same side as the farrier for front and rear.Louise McGillivrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09958692992319092621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-28905398227777904752010-06-20T21:55:01.275-04:002010-06-20T21:55:01.275-04:00In general, whether the front or hind limbs are be...In general, whether the front or hind limbs are being worked on, it is always best to stand on the same side as the person working. If you are on the opposite side and the horse misbehaves, you will tend to swing the hindend towards the person on the opposite side. If you're on the same side, you can at least swing the hind end away from the farrier/vet/etc.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-47410242093473532082010-06-20T21:05:37.035-04:002010-06-20T21:05:37.035-04:00Lots and lots of practice when the farrier is not ...Lots and lots of practice when the farrier is not there....holding the horse's hoof between your legs as a farrier will, tapping--as you suggest--, and just general foot handling goes far in teaching a horse to be patient and cooperative. <br /><br />Also, just general groundwork and leading can help too. Many horses do not get enough ground handling. <br /><br /><br />All that being said, Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10029423500476995817noreply@blogger.com