Hi I forget who put this story on here. > >>>> Hello. I am still shaking. Somebody did a number on Scooter before I owned him. He is still alittle terrified of the shoer..
I too have a horse that needed help dealing with the farrier. I worked for months with her, 1/2 QH X Appy, she was 7 years old and had not had much handling and was most adamant that no one touch her feet. I was determined to teach her with nothing but Parelli. 4 months later I was still on the friendly game and there were still several parts of her body that I was not allowed to touch. I finally got the front feet. Now for the farrier. Now Dennis had been coming out to do the feet of the other two but April would have not part of his presence. She would not even let him approach her. I finally turned to the clicker. With CT we went thru the rest of the games and all four feet in 30 days. So the next time Dennis came to work I warned him a head of time that we are going to do April's feet - well we will try anyway. So before he arrives I load up on peppermint treats and carrot slices. Clickers hanging from both wrists. I'm ready. I had to CT very fast to keep her attention but we finally got all 4 feet done. I have had her about 9 months by this time. She was still not easy but we did get all four feet trimmed. We had to do it that way for a while. But now she will stand for him to trim her feet. OK this was a really long story to suggest you teach him with the clicker that having his feet picked up is a wonderful way to get treats. Then when the farrier comes have him (if he will) ct for simple things to relax Scooter before he starts. Show the farrier what you have been working on so he can work with you to teach Scooter that the farrier is not a bad guy. Even to the point that when you click have the farrier give the treat. I do realize that many farriers (men) will not want to do this. I was very lucky that the man I use is wonderful about working with me. Sherrel
