Preparing your foal for hoof trimming
Your
horse is going to be seeing a farrier every six to eight weeks for
its entire life, so it makes sense to start early with training your
horse to stand quietly for trimming and shoeing. Horses that can't
behave for farriers are more than just a perpetual nuisance; they can
be dangerous to handlers and horseshoers, they can make correct
trimming and shoeing very difficult, and bad manners for the farrier
can significantly reduce your horse’s future value. Starting early
with good manners is very important; it’s a lot easier to teach a
foal proper behavior at the start than try to fix problems with an
older horse later on!
When should your foal start seeing a farrier?
Most
foals are born with healthy, normal ‘baby feet’. These soft,
straight hoofs will grow out in about nine months, replaced by harder
adult hooves - that’s why it’s important that your foal have
plenty of opportunity to move around, preferably outdoors. A bit like
children’s baby teeth, just because these ‘foal feet’ will wear
away and grow out doesn't mean you don't need to take good care of
them. During the early months of its life, your foal will grow at an
extraordinary pace, and the conformation of the lower leg - and
consequently its movement - can be significantly affected if the feet
aren’t kept in a good shape. For this reason, your foal's visits to
the farrier will need to start while it is still at its mother’s
side.
In your foal’s first couple of weeks, keep a close eye on its hooves. If you have any concerns at all about your new foal's feet, such as if they appear unbalanced, crooked, or if your foal is lame, then consult your farrier right away. Any twists, unequal feet, or any other apparent deformity needs prompt attention to prevent complications later in life. Serious problems may need your vet and your farrier to work together to help make corrections and get your foal back on track
If your foal’s feet look healthy, and it is standing and moving about comfortably, then you should expect that your foal’s first trim will be at about four to six weeks of age. Make the most of those few weeks to help you foal get ready for that first farrer visit - you want it to be a positive experience for everyone! Start early with training your foal not just to pick up his feet, but so stand patiently for long periods while his feet are handled and his leg moved forward and back.
Early training
The
most important thing is to make any handling a positive experience
for your foal. That usually means that you need two people - one to
hold the foal, pet him, and keep him entertained and rewarded while
another handles his feet. Keep his mother close by, but securely tied
or in a stall so you can concentrate only on your foal. Start with
asking the foal to pick up each foot in turn, first for short
periods, then expecting him to allow you to hold the foot up for
longer and longer. Repeat your practice at least daily - two or three
short sessions each day is going to be even more effective.
When you ask the foal to pick up its foot, never pinch the tendons of the lower leg. If your foal is reluctant, lean gently against his shoulder or hip to encourage him to balance on his other three feet, and gently lift the foot. Some foals prefer to be alongside a wall that they can lean on if they feel wobbly on three legs; others find that claustrophobic - you can work with whatever arrangement seems to suit your foal best. If the foal resists, be quietly persistent, but never wrestle with your foal or try to hold his foot if he rears or bucks. Reward your foal for even small progress with plenty of scratches and strokes, and treats when he is old enough. The key to success is making the whole process fun for your foal. Keep him entertained and offer plenty of reward, and start slowly - foals get bored quickly and a bored foal isn’t likely to cooperate!
When your foal is comfortable with picking up his feet and standing for increasingly longer periods - around thirty seconds - start moving the hoof forward and back, both front and back legs, to replicate the positions a farrier will need to have your horse’s feet. Make sure to always move the leg straight forward and back, and not to twist the leg or pull outwards away from the body. Accustom your foal to the feel of the rasp and the hammer by brushing the hooves and tapping gently on the sole and wall.
When the farrier is working on your foal’s dam, allow your foal to be nearby, not just to help your mare stay relaxed, but to let your foal to experience the sounds and smells of a farrier working. If you plan to hot shoe later in life, try to find opportunities where your foal can experience the smoke and smells of the forge, such as allowing him and his dam to stay in a stall close to a well-behaved older horse being hot shod.
Think of this early training just like halter breaking, grooming, bathing and loading into a trailer - all of these things are much more easily taught early on, when you have a foal’s natural curiosity, influence of his dam, and smaller size to help you. Teaching your foal good manners for the farrier now will pay off for many years, each and every time your horse sees a farrier!