Most horses are trained to lift their feet when you stand beside them and run your hand down their leg. If you don’t have much experience picking up a horse’s feet or you’re handling a horse that’s young, anxious, or painful, this simple task can be tricky. In this video, Anna Bracken, DVM, clinical instructor in equine field service at Colorado State University, demonstrates how to lift a horse’s feet safely and properly.
“When I’m working on the front end, I’m going to be standing right next to the horse’s shoulder facing the back so that I can pick up this foot,” she explains. “Most horses will respond if you run your hand down the leg and give a little squeeze right at the back of the tendon.”
If the horse is being stubborn or doesn’t understand what you’re asking, give the chestnut on the inside of the leg a quick pinch. Most horses will lift their foot in response.
“Once the foot is up, it is important that you grab down low,” says Bracken. “I want to be holding the horse’s actual hoof or just above it, because that’s going to give me good control of the leg if they try to pull it away. And I’m paying attention to where my feet are, so that if she does take her leg away from me and slams it down, she’s not going to land right on my toes.”
The same strategy applies to the hind feet, making sure you’re standing to the side of the horse and away from the kick zone.
Related:
- How to Teach Your Horse to Pick Up His Foot
- How To Pick a Horse’s Hooves: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Recognizing the Signs of Hoof Problems in Your Horse
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