How to Train a Horse to Pick Up Its Feet

Ask the horse verbally to give his foot while gently touching the cannon bone of the leg (at the knee). We know that healthy horses are strong enough to pick up each of its own feet. We also know that horses stomp its feet to rid its legs of flies and other insects. Incorporating this knowledge into training a horse to pick up his feet on command is incredibly beneficial. Adding slight pressure to the cannon bone will trigger the horse's reaction to an insect landing on his leg, resulting in him picking up the foot.

Release pressure and reward the horse any time an attempt is made by the horse to pick up his foot on request, no matter how brief the attempt. Allow a moment for the horse to sigh, lick and chew while processing what has just happened.

Ask the horse verbally to pick up his foot again and apply gentle pressure to the cannon bone. Remember to reward any and all attempts to comply with your wishes during training. If you like, the reward period is an appropriate time to offer treats, especially to a young or timid horse, as an additional positive reinforcement.

Develop trust with the horse through repetition. Learn to pay close attention and recognize every attempt to comply with your verbal requests to pick up his feet and reward him appropriately. This positive reinforcement creates a winning cycle of training, also forming a trust between trainer and horse.

Continue working on each of the horse's feet, remembering to offer a reward period after each attempt by the horse to pick up one of his feet. Usually within a few minutes, the horse will pick up and hold his own foot willingly when asked. Too often, horses are not rewarded properly by impatient trainers and are sedated for farrier work, or even just to have their feet routinely cleaned. This winning cycle of training forms a trusting bond between trainer and horse, builds self-esteem in the horse, promotes a safe partnership and potentially saves money when the farrier comes to town.