Multi Questions

[missa]

After reading a few threads on here I have come up with a few questions about my arab mare.
I have owned her about 5 years now. Previous hoof care was practically non existant. I have had her feet done every 8 weeks since owning her and she has had shoes once (I normally ride her bare).

She gives her hooves easily for me but really gives my farrier a hard time. She will rear up when he has her fronts and kicks out when he picks up her backs. She has done this since I got her. I have tried disiplining her, I have tried a different farriers, nothing has stopped it. I am to the point of sedating her for farrier work. After reading another thread I was wondering...do you think she doesn't like men? All the farriers have been male. Her previous owner was male and abusive. What would you all suggest to help her be better for the farrier?

I had never heard of underrun heels but after reading a thread on here think that Rain has one on her front. She will trip/stumble if I don't have her feet done on time. It always is that hoof that seems to cause the tripping. I had shoes put on her the tripping and stumbling stopped and her heel grew out and looked normal. None of the farriers I have used has ever said anything about her having underrun heels or that I needed shoes (I chose to have them that one time because I was going to the mountains). Should I keep shoes on her to help with the underrun heel?
Sorry for the long post but I am curious to know.

[fishing_trex]

Originally Posted by missa

After reading a few threads on here I have come up with a few questions about my arab mare.
I have owned her about 5 years now. Previous hoof care was practically non existant. I have had her feet done every 8 weeks since owning her and she has had shoes once (I normally ride her bare).

She gives her hooves easily for me but really gives my farrier a hard time. She will rear up when he has her fronts and kicks out when he picks up her backs. She has done this since I got her. I have tried disiplining her, I have tried a different farriers, nothing has stopped it. I am to the point of sedating her for farrier work. After reading another thread I was wondering...do you think she doesn't like men? All the farriers have been male. Her previous owner was male and abusive. What would you all suggest to help her be better for the farrier?

Here's a link from a natural horsemanship trainer that may be of help (it is about a horse that is afraid of farriers -- slightly different, perhaps, than your horse, but this may be a good starting point for you).

http://www.naturalhorsetraining.com/...ngTips230.html

Farriers often carry a "smell" with them (ok, all you farriers out there you know what I mean!). Your horse may pick up on this.

If you suspect it is men in general and not just the farrier, perhaps you can find a male that will help you in the process.

[CatsTack]

I've had and am sure will have lots of horseys that were/are difficult. I'm a female, so maybe it is the smell! LOL

Seriously, one of my best attributes is patience. Horseys know when you're in a rush, they know when you've had a bad day, and they know if you're gonna be too firm with 'em. Whenever I go to a trim, I go with the mindset that I've got all day. They seem to respond to it. Some horseys just need confidence in themselves, too. Some of the horseys I trim get upset if I don't say 'hi' to them before I start or give some lovin' before I start.

Every horsey is different, some you whisper and some you yell.

Good Luck