wont let me pick out feet, help!

[michelleukuk]

hi everyone, if anyone has any advice or suggestions for me please do.
ok, i bought my very first horse yesterday, he is 3 years rising 4. gypsy cob gelding. when we went to see him at his old home he was so quiet and calm and friendly, the sort of horse anyone could ride and feel safe, so easy to handle and fuss around. basically a dope on a rope bombproof family cob. well he will not let me pick his feet up! just swings them back and forward and leans his weight onto you to make u have to get off him! also he is lip biting a lot especially with my little girl who is already quite unsure of big animals. he doesnt like under his belly touched either.
please any advice thanks xx

[fowlerk]

Glad u got your first horse! CONGRATS!!! Have you tried leaning in to his sholder? It works with my horse.

[Mackoroni]

You might try taking a lunge line and putting it around his leg below his fetlock and twisting it to where you are holding both ends. Step back and ask him to pick up his hoof. Move from infront of him to the side and then the back as he is more willing to hold his hoof. This is a safe way to be out of range should he try and kick. Do not twist the rope too tight. Only hold him up for a few seconds and then let him back down. He should get to the point where he is willing to stand on three legs and the leg you are asking for is the one he is resting. Make sure to use voice commands, ask him to "pick it up." I don't know if this helps or not but this is what we do with colts who are unwilling to pick up their feet.

[michelleukuk]

thankyou so much, i will definately try that, xx

[kckatt]

Mackoroni is right, my moms mare wouldnt let us pick her back feet up. this method helps a lot! she is so much better at it now!

as for touching his belly (moms horse had a problem with this too)
this takes building up his trust. go out and just brush him and walk him around. it will take time.
Hope this helps!!
and congrats!!! :D

[Max]

There is a chesnut on each leg if you grab that and slightly twist he should pick his foot up it worked for me and as for the belly just rub him until he relaxes (it's a Clinton Anderson tech)

[mandyicequeen14]

well for the foot thing you have to be paitient, and have to fuss around with his feet so he gets ust to you handling his feet, if you give up then he'll know that if he does that then you'll leave him alone. for the lip biting i would use a firm voice and tell him no. well i hope this helps you out some.

[HappyHorse13]

Run your hands down your horse's legs and gently pinch the leg tendons. That's what my trainer taught me to do, and it worked.
And for the biting, he's going through his "ooh look at everything what is it?" stage. His a firm voice and tell him "NO."

[prince&me]

ive had this problem when i was looking after my mates horse.
leaning on the shoulder really works and they eventually get used to it and are as good as any other horse.