Horse trying to kick while treating a wound

[Msjodyvs]

I’ve received such great advice on other topics so coming back for more!! My 17.3hh 21 year old gelding has a wound on the outside of his back right pastern. It’s not healing, but also not infected.

When I try and treat it he lifts his hoof into his gut. He’s not kicking out, but I don’t trust him one bit. The vet had to heavily sedated him to treat it. She gave me a steroid cream to apply daily but I’m afraid he’s going to nail me.

I know why he’s kicking…it hurts. But I’d love any tips or tricks. I can typically do any and all things with this big guy. That’s a lie, he’s not a fan of getting his sheath cleaned, hence teeth and sheath. But truly, I can walk under this horse, pick his feet…all other reasonable activities.

Thank you for any guidance.

[Heinz_57]

Ridiculous question, but as someone with a horse who is also a very bad patient - have you tried putting the cream on from the opposite side? It won’t stop the potential kicking, but at least it increases your safety.

Mine cut the front of his hock a few years ago. I basically used a plastic spoon to smear it on quickly and then get out of the way. You could use a spatula or other longer handled tool to keep you farther out of the way. Eventually mine became less annoyed at it after several weeks of daily+ applying.

[QuestionMark]

Ask someone reliable and strong to hold up one of his front feet while you apply the cream to the wound.

[Msjodyvs]

Great question. My only concern is that he brings his leg up and in and could knock me from the other side. I was trying to think of an implement like a spatula or a wooden spoon. I just need to dab the cream on. It doesn’t sting or anything.

[jherold]

You could also use a twitch. I love my one man twitch.

[endlessclimb]

I will speak from experience that they can still kick like this. Even a hind, they can still kick if they want to.

OP, does he anticipate it and lift? Or is it after you put it on? Have you tried pulling his tail to keep the weight on the leg and scolding a bit to discourage his reaction?

Personally - when he lifts it, I would immediately lean my weight into him (like asking him to step over) so that foot has to go back to the ground to catch him, then praise and try to apply again. A one-man twitch is an option too - mine is made from an old ring from a halter, baling twine, and a double ended snap.

[Msjodyvs]

He does not lift it in anticipation, only when I touch the wound itself. My vet was holding his tail as you suggest, even while massively sedated and he’d still lift, but now I understand what she was doing by your explanation! I’ll look into the twitch idea for sure. Anything to keep us both safe.

[NaturallyHappy]

This is sorta dumb and you’ve probably already tried it, but since he will let you pick his feet, can you pick his foot and sneak it on?

[beowulf]

Put a bucket of grain in front of him.

I am not above bribing horses for good behavior when it comes to doing something supremely unpleasant to them. I have one who is the sweetest horse ever, but the world’s worst patient. Of course, he’s the one that comes in from the pasture with a degloved knee or missing chunk in his shoulder (seriously – looked like someone took an ice cream scoop to his scapula!).

When that fails, have someone else twitch the horse.

Why is the wound non-healing? Not a summer sore, is it? Might be worth keeping it wrapped if vet thinks that is appropriate.

[OzarksRider]

Ask someone to hold him and distract him with treats while you medicate the wound.

A couple of years ago my horse jumped the fence and shredded the skin off his hind legs. I had to medicate and bandage those legs until the wounds healed, and I had exactly the same problem as the OP. I got my husband to hold the lead rope and feed the horse pretzels while I worked on the legs. Horses can only think about one thing at a time, and the pretzels were much more interesting than whatever I was doing with his legs.

[Jealoushe]

I wouldn’t use force or a twitch…which doesn’t work well long term and creates fear and mistrust in your horse.

Treats treats and more treats. Touch up high, away from the wound, treat. Touch a bit lower, treat, move back up if needed. Keep doing it until you can reach the foot and then massive amounts of praise and treats. Patience is everything but you will have a better horse for it.

[Msjodyvs]

Not dumb at all. I haven’t tried it. Might do that today!

[NaturallyHappy]

Fingers crossed for you​:four_leaf_clover:

[Spudsmyguy]

If he’s lifting the foot, what I would do it hold onto it and dab on the cream. He’ll soon realize his actions are not going to keep him from getting medicated.

[StormyDay]

You can also use a hobble. I would bribe him too, but at least if he tries to kick with the hobble it’s not a hoof going into your face.

[Msjodyvs]

Update: embarrassing, but I did just dab it on when I got done picking his foot. He half heartedly tried to pull it, but wasn’t successful. I praised him ridiculously and he was very proud of himself. Why didn’t I think of this you ask? Well, while I’ve had this guy for all his 21 years, he’s only lived with me for 5 months. It’s the first time I’ve been on the hook. Thank you all for the suggestions. Even ones that should be obvious.