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A stubborn draft horse in Montana showed me a better way to handle a nervous foot
I was working on a big Percheron last week who kept pulling his foot away every time I tried to clean the sole. After the third try, I remembered an old timer saying to press my shoulder into the horse's flank, not just lean on the leg. I tried it, applying steady pressure with my whole body, and he settled right down. It gave me the solid few minutes I needed to get the job done clean. Has anyone found other little tricks like that for the really antsy ones?
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andrew_baker918d ago
Isn't that more about using your hip than your shoulder? I've always found a solid hip into their side works better for balance. Good on you for figuring out a way that worked, though. Kevinw94, I'm glad you learned before the mud did. Some horses just need you to speak a little quieter with your body.
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kevinw9418d ago
My old gelding taught me that trick after I nearly sat down in the mud three times in a row.
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Remember that mare who would just lock her hips and lean if you tried to move her with pressure? I had to get off and literally push her hindquarters over from the ground a few times before it clicked for both of us. It's wild how they each have their own language for what a nudge means.
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