Need suggestions for traumatized horse

[Ajierene]

My mare was bad with her feet - her entire life. She would get better with work and was best with me, followed by a barn owner that trimmed her feet for a while. She always needed tranquilizer for other farriers, though.

Part of it was a trust issue - she grew to trust me and trust the barn owner since he fed/worked around her every day. He didn’t pick up her feet every day but when it was time to trim her feet, he knew to take his time and was patient.

A friend bought her originally and it took about 6 months to get the mare to pick up her feet. It was all about patience and repetition. She slowly worked her way down the legs with the John Lyons-esque pressure and retreat. In other words, rub to a certain part, step away and praise, do again until horse has no negative reaction, then rub hands a bit farther.

My mare always needed tranquilizer for shoes and needed tranquilizer for other farriers because she only saw them at the scary shoe trimming time and they tended to have less time/be less patient with her than barn owner.

She also got worse if you didn’t work with her. When I was gone for 4 months, she was worse when I came back - that did lessen with time. She DID get more sane as she aged, though never completely sane.

I’m not saying your horse will be like this, just that time and patience are key and be prepared to always have this as some sort of issue.

[nu2u]

Try the “monkey see monkey do” method…literally have him watch another horse get his legs handled and feet picked as many times as you can, then try working on him while the other horse is still standing there…like a little duet with another person handling the other horse’s legs…yep sounds silly and will need a few people, but it helps (even if just a tiny bit) them to see another “live to tell about it” and it certainly can not hurt to just hold him while he watches the other. Feet are used to run from predators, save your life, that instinct is hardwired so it takes a tremendous amount of trust to surrender them, just keep earning his trust in general. Sounds like you are doing wonders for this unlucky/lucky boy

[Chachie]

Big huge giant steps today! So proud! I was able to pick up both front feet, pick them both AND brush them. I must acquiesce…I caught myself clucking before saying “lift” while sliding my hand down his leg, so unbeknownst to me, I was subconsciously clicker training lol its funny how things, like clucking, have become so 2nd nature that I don’t realize I’m doing it. 30+ years with horses, guses it was bound to happen

[Foxtrot_s]

That’s great news - keep the faith - the more progress you make, the more you will make.

Keep us posted…I am interested having been there in a dissimilar way.

[Countrywood]

great news!

[Chachie]

And today I got to trim a hoof! :eek: and I survived!!! :eek:

I think the main thing is letting him realize that it’s OK to trust me, but at the same time, not let him walk all over me.