August 05, 2023

Why Won't My Horse Pick Up Its Hoof?

11 minutes

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In this episode, April, addresses a question about a horse that refuses to pick up one of its feet.

April suggests that the issue is not a training problem but rather a discomfort or pain-related concern. She advises looking at the horse's other feet and checking for signs of laminitis, soreness, or injuries.

If the horse is avoiding putting weight on one foot, the focus should be on understanding why it's uncomfortable shifting its weight rather than forcing the foot to be lifted.

For front hooves, April recommends positioning the horse uphill to shift more weight to the hind end or providing a soft surface for the other foot to stand on, encouraging the horse to lift the desired foot. She shares a beneficial hoof-soaking recipe for various foot issues.

Regarding hind hooves, April suggests considering potential soreness in the SI joint, which can affect the horse's willingness to lift a hind leg. She demonstrates a technique for picking up the hind leg that reduces stress on the SI joint.

SI Joint Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8CBET7o4go

Davis soaker boots: https://amzn.to/46WvA8J

Liquid Trace Minerals: http://bit.ly/3O8XYwN

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