Why Won't My Horse Pick Up Its Hoof?

In this episode, April, addresses a question about a horse that refuses to pick up one of its feet. <br/><br/>April suggests that the issue is not a training problem but rather a discomfort or pain-related concern. She advises looking at the horse's other feet and checking for signs of laminitis, soreness, or injuries. <br/><br/>If the horse is avoiding putting weight on one foot, the focus should be on understanding why it's uncomfortable shifting its weight rather than forcing the foot to be lifted.<br/><br/>For front hooves, April recommends positioning the horse uphill to shift more weight to the hind end or providing a soft surface for the other foot to stand on, encouraging the horse to lift the desired foot. She shares a beneficial hoof-soaking recipe for various foot issues. <br/><br/>Regarding hind hooves, April suggests considering potential soreness in the SI joint, which can affect the horse's willingness to lift a hind leg. She demonstrates a technique for picking up the hind leg that reduces stress on the SI joint.<br/><br/>SI Joint Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8CBET7o4go<br/><br/>Davis soaker boots: https://amzn.to/46WvA8J<br/><br/>Liquid Trace Minerals: http://bit.ly/3O8XYwN<br/>To keep learning about horses:<br/>• Sign up for our email list: https://bit.ly/44t9Q1V<br/>• Get the free Horse 101 ebook: https://bit.ly/3ChKAQr<br/>• Shop videos & courses: https://bit.ly/43vhsku<br/>• See the global clinic schedule: https://bit.ly/3CZiaee<br/>• Visit the HHW website: www.holistichorseworks.com Thanks for listening!<br/>#holistichorseworkstalks