Mark4510
Silver Member
Jan 6, 2006, 3:06 PM
Post #9 of 12
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Re: [mffarmall] Doesn't want hook cleaned
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Hi Jim,
I assume you are talking about a twitch. There are a couple of different types but the key is to not keep it on too long and not put it on too tightly if you choose to use one.
Having been down this path I might respectfully share the following as something to consider. Your email suggests that the farrier needed to twitch her to work on her feet. I am not opposed to using a twitch but consistent use can lead to other problems.
First try making sure that she has been worked the day before and, if possible a couple of hours before the farrier gets there. Some horses have too much energy to stand there unless they are a little worn out. If you have done that then you might make sure that the horse is in a quiet area to get her feet worked on. Sometimes there are too many distractions.
If she is ok to have her feet picked up but not held up for a longer period of time it might be that she gets sore or cramps. I know I sure could not hold a leg out like we ask them to for that long.  If she is ok picking it up but cant hold it then she might be back sore and sometimes a gram of bute before the farrier comes out can make a difference (of course using bute – a controlled substance you need a prescription for – should come from your vet). If she is hesitant to pick up her feet at all it may be that there are other problems and maybe your vet could give you an opinion. If your horse is sore, twitching her does not mean that it does not hurt her.
If she is just being contrary I might suggest working with her. Start by picking up a foot and PUTTING IT DOWN. A lot of people lift a foot and then sort of drop it when they are done. The vast majority of horses will tolerate it but when we had a problem with a horse that was afraid of being shod, Ray Hunt taught this trick and it works really well. Simply hold the foot to pick it up and then after a few moment, while you continue to hold it, put the foot down on the ground, while you continue to hold it. Once the horse has it on the ground and has stopped fidgeting then let go. Do this repeatedly until the horse does it willingly. As soon as it does this correctly you can pet it and give it a treat.
There is also a way to do this with a soft cotton rope for horses that are really fussy but it takes some real guidance from an expert to do. There are only a few horsemen that I know that can do this and not hurt or really scare the horse. For those where there is a problem this may be the only solution short of drugging.
Once you can get a horse to pick up its feet and then PUT it down while you control that motion, I would take a month or so to slowly extend the range that you pick the foot up and the time that you hold it. Be very quick to reward and VERY slow to “get after it”.
The reason I suggest doing it this way rather than twitching is that twitching tends to lead to other problems. I am certainly not an expert compared to some of the real good horsemen but I see this happen too often.
If you twitch consistently the horse will start to associate the twitch with something bad. As soon as you bring the twitch out they will become resistant which generally leads to a fight. Once you have to put a halter on them it becomes a challenge that you will probably not win. The other likely option is that the horse will associate the twitch with shoeing and you will have to leave the twitch on during the entire time. At some point that’s not going to work which may require you to drug. Then you will have to twitch to get the drugs in.
Any way…..you get the idea. It can be a downward spiral. Maybe you will be lucky and twitching is all it takes. I am just suggesting that you try getting the work done without a twitch.
By the way…..there are a number of ways you can twitch and most of the time we do it without a mechanical device. You can lip twitch with your hand which is, to me, gentler and easier to do. You can also use your hand to twitch an ear or on the neck. Although the lip twitch, for me, seems to work the best the others work on about the same principle.
Sorry for prattling on and I hope I did not read too much into your post…..
Regards,
Mark
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applies pressure to the bottom of the hoof, finding the sore/abscess. 