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?

4 comments

4 Comments

andrew_baker93mo 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.

craig.olivia9d ago

3 seconds of that mare leaning on you feels like forever. I had a pony that would do the same thing, lock up so hard you'd think she was glued to the spot. Getting off and walking her hind end around from the ground was the only way I could get her to understand. It's like some horses just need you to break the spell and show them what you mean with your whole body.

kevinw943mo ago

My old gelding taught me that trick after I nearly sat down in the mud three times in a row.

sean483mo agoMost Upvoted

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.