| In the buckaroo way, each session with a foal or a | | | | Once the three above steps are complete, I can |
| horse should be pleasant and increase the strength | | | | commence with the actual hoof-trimming process. To |
| of the horse-human relationship. To achieve this | | | | actually trim the young horse's hooves, I usually enlist |
| outcome, it is important to always keep in mind your | | | | a helper to hold the lead rope. The helper does not |
| goal for each session, and then allow the situation to | | | | try to restrain the horse, but simply helps direct him |
| unfold as it will, responding appropriately at each step. | | | | as I trim. To perform the trim, I do the following: |
| Training a foal to stand still and accept hoof trimming | | | | 1. I pick up the first hoof, say the front left hoof. I |
| is no different. Foals need to feel confident around | | | | don't try to trap his hoof between my knees in the |
| humans and relate to them with respect before you | | | | typical farrier pose, but simply hold the hoof in one |
| attempt to trim their hooves. The balance between | | | | hand while I make one nip with the hoof nippers with |
| confidence and respect means that the foal feels | | | | the other hand. I immediately set the hoof down as |
| comfortable around humans, yet keeps a respectful | | | | a reward. Because of my previous work with the |
| distance. | | | | hoof pick, the noise of the nippers does not scare |
| Hoof Trimming for Foals: Training the Buckaroo Way | | | | the horse. |
| In the buckaroo way, trimming a foal's hooves is not | | | | 2. Next, I pick up the same hoof, and this time I nip |
| an immediate goal. Instead, it is the end result of a | | | | twice before setting the foot down. If the foal |
| series of training sessions. While it may seem natural | | | | shows any sign of imbalance, I immediately put the |
| to simply grab a hoof and start trimming, this can | | | | hoof down so he can rest. Finishing with a few more |
| lead to a dangerous situation. Remember that horses, | | | | nips, I am now ready to use the hoof rasp. |
| especially foals, can panic when their feet are | | | | 3. After a short break, I use the rasp to level out the |
| trapped, such as when you pick up a hoof to trim it. | | | | bottom of the hoof. At this point, if the horse |
| Thus the goal is to train the foal to offer up his foot | | | | becomes impatient, I take the lead from my helper |
| willingly, rather than to use force to hold the hoof | | | | and lead the horse around. This releases pressure and |
| against his will. | | | | allows the horse to relax. The foal may even show |
| To train a foal to be a willing partner in the hoof | | | | his relief by licking and chewing. |
| trimming process, I take the following steps before I | | | | 4. I repeat the nipping and rasping process on the |
| attempt to trim his hooves: | | | | right front hoof. At this point, most young horses are |
| 1. During halter training, I teach the foal to pick up his | | | | impatient and fidgety. I usually end the hoof trimming |
| hooves one at a time. This teaches him to stand | | | | session at this point, saving the back feet for |
| balanced on three feet, and to allow me to handle his | | | | another session. It is better to have a shorter |
| hooves. | | | | session that is pleasant for the foal than a longer |
| 2. Once I can easily pick up each of his feet, I | | | | session that puts the horse in a bad frame of mind. |
| concentrate on holding each hoof for at least 30 | | | | Later in the day, I catch the foal again and repeat |
| seconds. My goal is to put the hoof down before he | | | | the process above on the back hooves. Breaking the |
| takes it away from me. In other words, I strive to | | | | trimming into at least two sessions helps the horse |
| release the hoof while the horse is offering no | | | | stay relaxed. Equine babies are like other babies: they |
| resistance. If I release the hoof only when the horse | | | | have short attention spans. In the buckaroo way, we |
| starts resisting, then I am teaching him to yank his | | | | remain aware of this and honor the horse's frame of |
| hoof away from me. By putting the foot down | | | | mind. The goal is to keep the sessions comfortable |
| before I sense resistance, I allow the horse to feel | | | | while adding a bit more challenge each time. For foals, |
| at ease, and he never feels "trapped." | | | | adding one or two new items per session is plenty, |
| 3. Once the foal is comfortable with me holding and | | | | and won't overload their young minds. |
| handling his feet, the next step is to hold his hoof | | | | After I complete all four hooves, I turn the foal |
| and tap my hoof pick on the bottom. This action | | | | loose. The hoof trimming goals have been met: not |
| starts to mimic the feel and sound of hoof trimming. | | | | only have all four feet been trimmed, but the foal is |
| Now that the foal is more accustomed to having his | | | | now set to be a willing partner in future hoof |
| feet handled, I am quick to release his hoof if I sense | | | | trimming sessions. He will always remember that I did |
| resistance, but I also will hold his foot if I sense that | | | | not hurt him, and will thus never be afraid. |
| he is simply testing my resolve rather then feeling | | | | Hopefully this breakdown of the steps for training |
| fear. | | | | foals for hoof trimming using the buckaroo way helps |
| Hoof Trimming: The Steps According to the | | | | you gain insight into a foal's frame of mind, should |
| Buckaroo Way | | | | you need to trim your foal for the first time! |