Well, I've had my mare almost a year now, and I have improved in confidence and knowledge SO much since I got her. And, just when I thought I had it all mastered, she comes up with a problem.
Up until now, she's had no problem lifting her feet or with me touching her feet. Then, like two days ago, she suddenly has started dancing and moving away when I get near her hind feet. I've checked her legs-there's no visible problems, she's not limping, there's no heat in her legs...so I don't think she's in discomfort, I think she's just being the five-year-old she is and testing me. Under any other circumstance, she would be receiving firm reprimanding, but I don't know if that's the right thing to do now. She'll lift her foot for a fraction of a second then twirl away. At first I thought she was just spooky but she's maintained this behaviour for the last few days, and I'm getting fed up. Of course, I always hound her until I have her foot for at least a few seconds, but it's really annoying when she won't stand so you can pick out her feet.
How should I deal with this?
Up until now, she's had no problem lifting her feet or with me touching her feet. Then, like two days ago, she suddenly has started dancing and moving away when I get near her hind feet. I've checked her legs-there's no visible problems, she's not limping, there's no heat in her legs...so I don't think she's in discomfort, I think she's just being the five-year-old she is and testing me. Under any other circumstance, she would be receiving firm reprimanding, but I don't know if that's the right thing to do now. She'll lift her foot for a fraction of a second then twirl away. At first I thought she was just spooky but she's maintained this behaviour for the last few days, and I'm getting fed up. Of course, I always hound her until I have her foot for at least a few seconds, but it's really annoying when she won't stand so you can pick out her feet.
How should I deal with this?