Horse unmanageable during trimming

[arabiancowgirl]

My old horse Buck(31) has been having issues with the farrier trimming his back feet, I mean he acts like a bronco, and I don't want my farrier getting hurt because of his attitude. He does okay with his front feet.

The farrier came a week ago and had to leave without trimming his back feet.
And don't even get me started about shots, worming, or tying. This horse has so many problems it is unbelievable he was shot in the ear, he had a trailer accident, as a baby he got hung up by his neck on a T-post and now he has a hole in his neck. He also is deathly afraid of whips, he was abused bye a little kid who would beat him around barrels
This horse had his spirit broken, and luckily I brought him back after all he went through.

Anyways I was wondering if you knew of any ways to help with trimming (sorry about the story)

[Diamond_Y]

Can you sedate him?

[tuffsmom]

Being 31, is he in pain or has this been going on forever?

[Crookedblaze]

I'd sedate him. We had to sedate Mac for the first few times, it isn't too bad. My vet only mildly sedated him, because if they get sedated too heavy they lean too much. It doesn't cost too much either, it was about $50 for sedation.

Poor old man. I'm glad that you have him now, and he can live a happy life.

[gbarmranch]

I agree - I am betting he has some pain issues that are making it hard for him - and painful.. the sedation should help all the way around.. Poor sweet old guy..

[cameo05]

My 30 yo mare does this when the arthritus in her hips is really hurting her. She shows no signs of it and then when her back legs are lifted for the trimming she dances, pulls away, kicks up with the other leg to get away. When she isn't hurting or if the farrier does not lift her beyond her comfort zone she is fine.

[seerfarm]

Originally Posted by gbarmranch

I agree - I am betting he has some pain issues that are making it hard for him - and painful.. the sedation should help all the way around.. Poor sweet old guy..

I as well agree...and at his age not trimming can complicate the issue by being out of balance. 1/2-1 cc of Demorsedan and he won't have a care in the world.

[breburtch]

Has he always had issues with having his hind feet trimmed?

If not it could be that he's arthritic or sore back there and your farrier is asking him to lift his feet to high and holding them up to long.

But if he's always been like this and has just gotten worse in his old age and pain isn't a factor you might be able to sedate him.

Also if he's always been this way it may be possible he was trimmed in one of those stock things for cattle where it like flips them on there sides can't think of the name of it lol having a brain fart moment.

[SunnyKS]

But in the original post she says he's not good with shots. Do you think maybe painkiller that he could eat in his grain would help? Maybe a combination of powered Quietex and Bute? Or is there an RX something that would work better?

[countrygal2004]

With all due respect, you can make as many excuses as you want but you don't have a hoof trimming problem, you have a respect problem. Get his respect under control and the rest will follow suit. Try Clinton Anderson's "Gaining Respect & Control on the Ground" series. I swear by it. Go to www.downunderhorsemanship.com. I'm sure there are other great clinicians that would work too, this is just the one I use.

Good luck.

[gbarmranch]

He is 31 years old - chances are it is more pain than disrespect..

[breburtch]

Originally Posted by countrygal2004

With all due respect, you can make as many excuses as you want but you don't have a hoof trimming problem, you have a respect problem. Get his respect under control and the rest will follow suit. Try Clinton Anderson's "Gaining Respect & Control on the Ground" series. I swear by it. Go to www.downunderhorsemanship.com. I'm sure there are other great clinicians that would work too, this is just the one I use.

Good luck.

Gotta keep in mind he's an old guy so depending on what type of shape he's in and everything certian Natural Horsemanship stuff can't be used and if it's pain causing it respect has nothing to do with it. The most respectable horses in the world will still act up and lash out if there in pain and your doing something that furthers that pain

[countrygal2004]

Originally Posted by gbarmranch

He is 31 years old - chances are it is more pain than disrespect..

IMHO If he can act like a bronco, he can stand quietly with his foot raised. Sure, drug him if you want but a little ground work may just do the trick here.

[seerfarm]

Originally Posted by SunnyKS

But in the original post she says he's not good with shots. Do you think maybe painkiller that he could eat in his grain would help? Maybe a combination of powered Quietex and Bute? Or is there an RX something that would work better?

Good point Sunny...I know that there are a few feed through sedatives, but long term effect didn't use to be so good. May be something new, I do know that there are some meds that can be given via syringe orally that can work, but it would be something that the OP would have to talk with her Vet to see what options are available.

[gbarmranch]

Originally Posted by countrygal2004

IMHO If he can act like a bronco, he can stand quietly with his foot raised. Sure, drug him if you want but a little ground work may just do the trick here.

It might.. but he isn't my horse.. and I don't have any problems with mine in any area.. without drugs..

At 31 a horse may have serious artheretic issues that actually make lifting that leg very painful.. if the drugs help make it less so, he may not be stupid..

But what do I know.. I have only been training for a few decades..

I missed that Sunny - and have to agree with Seer.. the vet may have something that he or she can prescribe to help..

[breburtch]

Originally Posted by countrygal2004

IMHO If he can act like a bronco, he can stand quietly with his foot raised. Sure, drug him if you want but a little ground work may just do the trick here.

You obviously have never dealt with a horse that was in pain and when pressure was applied to the area the horse went nutso trying to get away from it and let you know you hurt it.

I've seen alot of artritic horses spaz out when the farrier was trimming and lifted said leg to high or made them stand to long on there sore leg

[countrygal2004]

Originally Posted by arabiancowgirl

And don't even get me started about shots, worming, or tying. This horse has so many problems it is unbelievable

This is what made me think disrespect

[breburtch]

Originally Posted by countrygal2004

This is what made me think disrespect

Those issues could be from being abused though and lots of horses especially older horses I've found are afriad of needles and have issues with wormers especially if they weren't wormed often and never got shots

[tuffsmom]

I'm going to bet this poor old horse has alot of pain issues when you look at everything he has gone through. I would talk to your vet and get something you can give the old man in his feed.

[SunnyKS]

It could be pain, it could be lack of respect, could be fear of humans in general. With all that's happened to him in his past it could be half a dozen of one and six of another. Then you have to factor in he's older than the hills.

If he was my horse I would assume pain, and treat him for pain on necessary maintenance and medical procedures that don't lend themselves to waiting for an abused aged horse to gain trust and respect.

Sometimes things like feet need to be done in the least stressful and pain free way as possible while working on the other stuff. JMO