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Any suggestions?

2K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  princessfluffybritches 
#1 ·
I just acquired a 2.5 yo haflinger filly. She has no training. Her feet are horrid. While she is pretty good relatively speaking (relative to age, lack of training), she will start leaning to the side I am on - to the point it seems like she will topple over on top of me if I do not put her foot down. She is small, shy of 13hh, but not light, needless to say.
Any suggestion on how to encourage her to stand properly?
 
#2 ·
What I do, is as soon as they put any weight on me while I'm picking up their feet, is I quickly drop it, it makes them wake up, so next time you pick it up they hold it up WAITING for you to drop it again....I find you only have to do it a couple of times before they figure out your not a post to lean on:lol: goodluck:lol:
 
#3 ·
Agree with Muppet. If/when she gets to that point, let go suddenly(& be ready to move pronto!) Bit of startle effect and also unpleasant for her without hurting - tends to teach them to hold their own foot up pretty quickly!

Along with 'baby steps' & trying to work towards your goals gradually enough to give it back to her before she 'misbehaves'. Also of course consider if it's pure attitude/lack of training or may have a physical reason behind it - there are some horses that due to injury, stiffness, etc, I will allow to lean on me - just for both our sakes, if it's more than a quick maintenance trim, I do many of those sort in short stints - eg. clean & pare, put it down for a break. Nip/rasp, put it down for a break, resect seedy, have a break, etc.
 
#4 ·
Just as an update, I tried the "drop" method and it seems to be working! Thanks you guys for the suggestion. I, of course, also give her lots of praise when she "tries" to stand nicely. She will only willingly let me hold her foot for a short time, so, that will have to be worked out, too. But, I have never had a youngster start out any different on that score. While she isn't a "baby, baby", she might as well be when it comes to training.

I am sure it isn't physical pain as I have observed her freely and willingly stand on her hinds w fronts on "upper rails". I figure, if she can do that w ease...she isn't in any pain on three at ground level.

I have to say, I felt/feel a bit guilty about dropping her when necessary, she really almost falls over. I have to ask myself if she thinks that I want her to lie down ontop of me. I mean, she doesn't just lean a bit..its more like, "timber!". She is so calm for her age...so, maybe there is something to be said for those that are a bit more high strung that simply try to get away! :)
 
#7 ·
I can see where they are easy to train, but their personality is in a class all of its own!!!! I popped her on her sweet little bum for keeping my mare from the gate to her feeding station. She just turned around and looked at me like, "oh, I didn't know you felt that way about it, no problem". I am like, "yes, I do feel that way about it Jolene!!!" sheesh.
 
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