> Susan, I pick up his feet all the time. He is just > scared of the shoer. It is weird. I bang on his feet > and trim his hair. The minute he smells a shoer, > watch out.
> Hi Judy, I hope I am doing this right. I am still > green. Scooter has never given me trouble about > lifting his feet. I have banged on them and put boots > with velcro on them and he has been very patient. > When the first shoer came out all Scooter did was > smell his hand and he started shaking. (Scooter that > is). That is why I think a shoer did something to him. > I know he is shy with people like when you came. Oh, boy. OK, that's a whole 'nuther situation! How about men, other than the farrier? Is he still concerned about men? Or all new people, including women? For nervous or jittery horses, I would start with their diet, and make sure there is NOTHING, ZERO, ZIP, NADA, in there that would set them off. I think some of them could be reactive because of what they are eating. Maybe allergic, in a way (one of the kids gets tension behavior from eating preservatives and food coloring!). No alfalfa, no supplements with ingredients that might trigger nervousness; just plain bermuda hay. See how he is on that type of diet for several weeks. I would add in some B vitamins, and maybe some B-Kalm, or Calm and Cool; and in addition to working with him more and more with his feet, and having Kevin lift his feet, you may want to have the vet tranq him if you really need shoes. More calmatives here: http://www.jeffersequine.com/ssc/products.asp?CID=1&mscssid=2Q1NBRXMM1FP9JCFX2K4P79K3KQ32P78&BrowseList=339&dept_id=422 Could you possibly do without shoes, and maybe try the Simple Boots? Judy http://icehorses.net http://clickryder.com
