No farrier wants to deal with your unruly horse. They aren't paid to be trainers. A rude, disrespectful horse will pull their foot away, kick out, and even rear to avoid having their hooves trimmed or shod. It's your responsible to get your horse prepared for their farrier visit.

Training for Farrier Visits

Teaching your horse to accept the farrier is a learned behavior. Don't expect them to be patient and quiet if you haven't worked with their feet or simulated what will happen. Most people don't hold the hooves the way farriers do. They also don't hammer, rasp, or use other tools outside of a hoof pick.

It's your responsibility to stimulate what a farrier does. Get under your horse, hold their hoof between your legs, use a dull rasp, mock hammer with your hands, etc... There are plenty of ways to get your horse prepared for this visit, but picking the hooves out a few times a week isn't enough.

Clinton Anderson from Downunder Horsemanship shares his thoughts on the subject.

Make sure to communicate with your farrier, as well! Some are in a rush or act too aggressively. Don't be afraid to let them know you've been working with your horse and they responds well to this or that.

Cowgirl Hotlist

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  |