Improving a Horse’s Ability to Hold Up His Legs for Hoof Trimming #103

Discover how addressing your horse's entire body, especially back tension, can transform difficult hoof handling into a calm, cooperative experience. Learn gentle, effective practices that replace force with understanding, creating lasting positive change in your horse's hoof care routine.

Key Takeaways: 

• Resistance to hoof handling often stems from whole-body tension, particularly in the back
• Traditional forcing methods can create a cycle of increasing tension and resistance
• Gentle, supportive movements are more effective than forceful stretching
• Building body awareness in both horse and handler is crucial for success
• Patience and consistency are essential for creating lasting change
• Daily grooming routines provide opportunities to reinforce positive experiences
• Understanding subtle tension signs helps prevent escalation
• The approach improves overall horse-human partnership beyond hoof handling

Resources:

Mentioned in this episode: https://www.marydebono.com/blog/improving-a-horses-ability-to-hold-up-his-legs-for-hoof-trimming

💥Learn how the Feldenkrais Method can help improve your seat, position, and balance on your horse! Free rider videos masterclass: https://www.marydebono.com/rider 💥

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All information is for general educational purposes ONLY and doesn't constitute medical, veterinary, or professional training advice. Always use extreme caution when interacting with horses. 

About the Host:

Mary Debono is a pioneer in animal and human wellness, blending her expertise as an international clinician, best-selling author, and certified Feldenkrais Method® practitioner. With over three decades of experience, Mary developed Debono Moves, a groundbreaking approach that enhances the performance, well-being, and partnership of horses and their human companions.

Recognizing the profound connection between equine and human movement, Mary's innovative approach draws from the Feldenkrais Method®, tailored specifically for the equestrian world. Her methods have helped horses and humans:

• Improve athletic ability and performance
• Enhance confidence and reduce anxiety
• Reduce physical limitations and discomfort
• Deepen the horse-human bond

Mary's flagship online program, "Move with Your Horse," offers equestrians a unique opportunity to experience the benefits of Feldenkrais® while also learning her signature hands-on work for horses. This transformative approach has helped riders and their equine partners achieve harmony, both in and out of the saddle.

As a speaker and educator, Mary has touched the lives of equestrians across the globe, empowering them to unlock their full potential through mindful movement and enhanced body awareness.

Discover the power of Debono Moves and transform your equestrian journey. Visit https://www.marydebono.com/you-and-your-horse to learn more about Mary's unique work.

TRANSCRIPT:

Hi, I'm Mary Debono, and this is the Easier Movement Happier Horses podcast. And today I'd love to talk to you about how you can help your horse be more comfortable in holding their legs up for trimming, especially the hind legs. You know, that is a very, very common problem. I see that a lot of horses are just not comfortable when you are either cleaning out their hoof, or maybe you have a professional hoof trimmer or farrier come and they're kind of fighting with the horse, or you're fighting with your own horse.

And I see this over and over. So some time ago, I wrote a blog post about this, and it's one of my more popular blog posts, and I'll make sure I link to it in the description so you can read it. But I was at a barn, I was working with other horses there, and I couldn't help but notice that this farrier was basically fighting with this big chestnut warmblood named Bubba.

And it looked like it was about to get dangerous. Not to mention the horse was really stressed. The guy was stressed, too. And anyway, the owner stopped the situation, told the farrier to, you know, to leave. And I got the opportunity to work with Bubba. And what's really important about this is that it wasn't just about the horse's hind legs. The horse had been, by the way, thoroughly checked out by a veterinarian prior to this episode.

And the issue wasn't in the hind legs themselves. The issue was in the horse's back and how the horse had tension in the back, especially the lower back, and how taking the hind legs backward into kind of extension of the hip was very difficult for the horse and was painful for the horse. And that's why the farrier would get into these fights with the horse. So it just became a vicious cycle, just a complete downward spiral.

And again, luckily, the horse's person, Claire, stopped it in time before anything really bad happened and had me work, asked me to work with Bubba. And I want to emphasize that it wasn't just about working with his hind legs. Yes, I definitely did that, and you're going to hear about that. But it was very important that I also worked with his entire self. In other words, that I worked a lot, for example, with his ribcage, with his sternum, with his individual ribs, helped coordinate different parts of him so that his back naturally relaxed.

And then, of course, I did work with his hind legs to integrate it all and to help him feel like now your legs could actually extend easily behind you without pain. And by the way, I want to emphasize this is not a quick fix. I mean, I, I worked with him, I taught Claire some things to do, and it took a period of time before he was completely like, okay, this is cool to take my legs back.

So you have to be patient. And I will. You will hear more about that in the episode. The other thing I want to say is that I'm kind of handing over the reins, if you will, of this episode to. To someone else, actually to two individuals. There is a lot of construction work happening in my house today, so there's lots and lots of banging. So I had my friendly AI friends record the episode for you, and I think they did a pretty good job of it.

Again, I will say that I will link to the, to the actual blog post if you want to read it, but go ahead and give these, these AI bots, if you will, a listen. And I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know. Also, later on, you can send me a text either in the description of the episode or email me marydebono.com let me know. Do you have a horse that has issues with holding the legs up for cleaning or trimming or anything else?

Or maybe you've heard of different ways of approaching it and you want my take on it? I'd be happy to help you. So thank you so much. I. And again, don't, don't, don't go anywhere. Listen to the episode. It's only about 12 minutes long and I hope you enjoy. Imagine you're a horse owner and your farrier is having a real tough time trimming your horse's hooves. He's getting frustrated, you worried, and your horse Bubba is just resisting.

It's a recipe for disaster, right? Absolutely. That's exactly what happened to cla, Bubba's owner, who decided to stop the farrier out of concern for her horse's well being. We're diving into Claire's story today to explore a unique approach to hoof trimming called debono Moves. That's a smart move on Claire's part. Recognizing when a situation is escalating and taking a step back is crucial for both horse and human safety.

Absolutely. So Claire brought in Mary debono, the developer of De Bono Moves, to work with Bubba. And get this. Mary also trained in the Feldenkrais method, but for humans. Have you ever heard of that? Yes. The Feldenkrais method is all about using gentle movements and direct attention to improve movement and awareness. Interestingly, it emphasizes the interconnectedness of the body, kind of like How a small tweak in one area can affect the whole system.

It's not just about isolating and forcing one muscle to stretch. Right? Exactly. And that's a key principle that de Bono moves borrows from Feldenkrais. So instead of focusing solely on Bubba's legs, Mary took a holistic approach by considering his entire body. So what did that look like in practice? Well, Mary observed that Bubba's lower back was quite tight, which makes sense if your back is stiff. Yeah. Extending your hind legs backward would be difficult, maybe even painful.

Traditional stretching could actually exacerbate the problem. So how did Mary address this with Dubono moves? Instead of pulling Bubba's leg back like you might in a traditional stretch, Mary supported the leg upward. This allowed the muscles to relax rather than tighten up in resistance. It sounds like a completely different way of thinking about stretching. What happened next? From there, she incorporated small, gentle circles with Bubba's leg, gradually increasing the range of motion as he relaxed.

It wasn't about forcing a larger stretch, but rather about increasing the ease of movement. That's so interesting. It seems counterintuitive to what we've always been told about pushing through the stretch. Right. And as the article you shared points out, forcefully stretching a muscle in isolation can actually lead to more tightening and even spasms. It's important to remember that muscles don't work in isolation. They rely on the support of surrounding structures.

So if the farrier had continued trying to force Bubba's leg back, he might have just made his back even tighter and more sore. It's very likely, yeah. Plus it wouldn't address the underlying issue, which is this lack of awareness and coordination. Throughout Bubba's body, He's developed these movement habits that are restricting his range of motion. And that's where this whole body approach of debonor moves really shines. It addresses the root cause, not just the symptom.

Did Mary find anything else interesting? When observing Bubba, she noticed that Bubba's resistance wasn't just physical. He seemed apprehensive and tense. It makes you wonder if he had developed a negative association with having his hooves trimmed. Absolutely. And that's where the gentler approach of De Bono moves can be so beneficial. By working with a horse in a way that respects their natural instincts and responses, you build a stronger connection based on partnership, not force.

So instead of forcing Bubba to comply, Mary worked with him to help him find comfort and release tension. Exactly. She was essentially guiding him to rediscover his natural movement patterns. It's a subtle but powerful Shift in perspective. And I bet that had a positive impact on their relationship too. Definitely. The article mentioned that Claire noticed a significant difference in their overall bond after the session. There was more trust, more harmony between them.

It seems that by addressing Bubba's physical tension, they unlocked a deeper level of connection. It's amazing how something as simple as changing the way we touch and move a horse can have such a profound impact. It really speaks to the power of awareness, and it makes you wonder if this approach could be applied to other areas of horse training and handling. But we can get into that a bit later.

For now, let's talk a bit more about what happened during that initial session with Mary. So we left off with Mary working with Bubba and him starting to relax more. Did anything else stand out to you in the article about what happened during that session? Well, it was really interesting to see how Mary incorporated these tiny little circles with Bubba's leg, almost like she was encouraging him to explore the movement on his own.

So she wasn't forcing his leg into a stretch, but rather guiding him to find that range of motion himself. Yeah, exactly. And the article mentions that as Bubba started to find that ease of movement, his whole demeanor changed. He went from resisting and p to standing calmly while Mary worked with his legs. It's almost as if he started to understand that she wasn't trying to hurt him, but rather help him feel better.

That's a great point. And it highlights another key takeaway from the article. The importance of building trust and understanding between horse and human. When a horse feels safe and understood, they're much more likely to cooperate, which makes a lot of sense. If you're constantly being forced into uncomfortable positions, you're going to develop a negative association with the person handling you. Absolutely. And the article makes a fascinating point about how this gentler approach can actually be more effective in the long run.

Traditional methods that rely on force or pressure might get a quick result, but they often create tension and resistance that can lead to bigger problems down the road. So it's not just about being nice to the horse. It's about working with them in a way that respects their physical and emotional needs. Precisely. And that brings me to another aspect of debono moves that I found intriguing. It emphasizes the importance of developing body awareness in both the horse and the handler.

Can you elaborate on that a bit? I'm curious to hear how that plays out in practice. Sure. Imagine you're trying to get a horse to move their hindquarters to the side. A traditional approach might involve pushing on their hip or using a lead rope to pull them over, which could lead to the horse becoming resistant or confused if they don't understand what you're asking. Exactly. But with the Bono moves, you would first focus on helping the horse become aware of their own body and how it moves.

You might use gentle touch and movement cues to encourage them to shift their weight or lift a leg. So you're essentially teaching them how to move their body in a more conscious and controlled way. Yes. And as they develop that body awareness, they become more responsive to your cues and more willing to participate in the movement. And I imagine that translates to other areas of training and handling as well.

Absolutely. The article touches on how these principles can be applied to groundwork, riding, even just grooming. If we can help horses find comfort and ease in their bodies, it opens up so many possibilities for a more harmonious partnership. It's a really fascinating concept, and it makes you wonder why this approach isn't more widely adopted. Well, I think there are a few reasons for that. One is simply tradition.

Horse training has been done a certain way for a long time, and it can be hard to break away from those ingrained methods. And I imagine some people might be skeptical of a gentler approach, thinking it won't be effective. That's understandable. But as we've discussed, this approach is not about being permissive or letting the horse walk all over you. It's about finding a way to communicate with them in a language they understand.

A language that respects their physical and emotional well being. It's about partnership, not dominance. Exactly. And I think the more people understand that, the more we'll see this kind of approach embraced in the horse world. It's not a quick fix, but it offers a path to a deeper, more meaningful connection between horse and human. So what are some practical things that Claire can do to maintain the progress Bubba made during that initial session with Mary?

The article mentioned that it takes time to undo those ingrained habits. That's a great question. And the article offers some helpful suggestions. It emphasizes the importance of consistency and patience. Claire can't just expect Bubba to be perfect after one session with Mary. She needs to continue working with him, incorporating these principles into their daily interactions. So it's about making those gentle, mindful movements a part of her regular routine with Bubba.

Precisely. And the article specifically mentions using her daily grooming and hoof picking routine as an opportunity to reinforce those lessons. Instead of just going through the motions, she can be mindful of Bubba's responses using gentle touch and movement. Cues to help him stay relaxed and balanced. So those everyday interactions become mini training sessions, constantly reinforcing those positive associations with touch and movement. But what if she encounters resistance from Bubba again?

What should she do? The article emphasizes the importance of recognizing those subtle signs of tension and backing off. Instead of forcing him into a position he's not ready for, she can go back to those basic debono moves, those gentle circles and upward supports to help him release that tension and find comfort again. It's almost like a reset button, helping him to remember that feeling of ease and relaxation.

What a great tip. And the article stresses that it's not just about the physical movements. It's about developing that sense of awareness and understanding of Bubba's individual needs. What works for one horse might not work for another. So it's about learning to read Bubba's body language, his subtle cues, and adjusting her approach accordingly. Exactly. And that takes time and patience. But the rewards are well worth it. When you can achieve that level of connection with a horse, it's truly a magical experience.

It sounds like debono Moves is about so much more than just getting a horse to pick up its feet. It's about transforming the entire relationship between horse and human. It really is remarkable to think about the potential for improving the human animal bond across different species using these principles. It does make you wonder, doesn't it? Could this approach be applied to dogs, cats, even humans? If these principles work so well for horses, what other areas of our lives could benefit from a similar perspective?

I know I'm already thinking about all the ways I can apply these principles to my own interactions with my dog. It's fascinating to consider how our understanding of animal behavior and communication is constantly evolving. There's always more to learn and explore. And sometimes it's about unlearning old habits and embracing new ways of thinking. Absolutely. That's what makes this deep dive so intriguing. It's not just about learning new information.

It's about sparking new ideas and inspiring us to think differently about the way we interact with the world around us. So to wrap things up, what are some key takeaways for our listener who might be dealing with a horse like Bubba or simply wants to improve their relationship with their horse? First and foremost, remember that a horse's legs don't exist in isolation. Their ability to move freely and comfortably is influenced by the quality of movement throughout their entire body.

So if you're having trouble with a horse that won't pick up their feet, don't just focus on the legs. Right, Take a step back and look at the whole horse. Are there any areas of tension or restriction? And instead of forcing a stretch, try using gentle supportive movements to help the horse release that tension and find ease in their body. And remember, patience and consistency are key. Don't expect overnight miracles.

It takes time to undo those ingrained habits and build new patterns of movement. And finally, I would encourage listeners to find practitioners who prioritize the horse's well being and use gentle, mindful approaches. There are many skilled professionals out there who understand the importance of working with the horse, not against them. This has been such an insightful deep dive. I feel like I've learned so much about De Bono moves and its potential to transform our relationships with horses.

It's been a pleasure discussing this with you, and I hope this conversation inspires our listener to explore these principles further and discover the power of a gentler approach to horse handling. Absolutely. So for our listener, I'll leave you with this thought provoking question. If these principles of whole body awareness and movement can transform our relationships with horses, could they also be applied to other areas of our lives?

How might we benefit from bringing more awareness and gentleness to our interactions with other animals, our fellow humans, even ourselves? That's a wonderful question to ponder, and I think the answer might surprise you. Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep deepening those connections.