Cures for the new shoes blues: here's how to transform a tough customer into a farrier's favorite on shoeing day

摘要

Finally, after years of searching, you've found the horse of your dreams. He's careful on the trails, bold in the ring and an old pro at competitions. What's more, he's the perfect combination of trusted riding mount and enjoyable companion, willingto put up with primping and pampering. Unfortunately, the one blot on his otherwise perfect character is beginning to take its toll. He's becoming increasingly reluctant to cooperate with the farrier. It just doesn't make sense. He dutifully lifts his feet for you to pick them, and he lets you stretch his front legs after you've tightened the girth. But when the farrier asks him to do the same things, he fidgets, shifts from side to side on the cross ties, resists lifting his feet and leans on the farrier when he can't pull loose. Worst of all, he has started snatching his hind feet away just after the farrier has tacked on a shoe but before he's done the clinches. The razor-sharp nails are like daggers on the moving foot. The farrier is trying to bepatient, but finally he warns you: Either fix your horse's attitude problem or find a new farrier.