10 month old Gypsy Vanner learning to stand for the farrier 20 March 2023

As initially presented this youngster was not trying to stand for the farrier but rather was defying - snatching away its hoof - moving to leave - etc.. So I used "control of motion" as a means to establish who the herd boss was. I backed her away - so she understood that IF I step into what had been her space THEN I (as herd boss) was claiming that space as mine. In "horse talk" that is a mini version of driving the horse out of the herd because it broke the herd rules. I then IMMEDIATELY invited it (on a loose line) to follow me back to the same spot with same orientation - to rejoin my herd acknowledging me as "herd boss" and by so doing making a unilateral promise to follow the herd rules (which at the moment are focused on stand calmly for the farrier and let him trim your hooves). Once this was repeated a few times the horse (being location conscious) picked up on the fact I wanted it to stay standing in a particular spot. And it at a horse level of reasoning reasoned out that I did not intend it any harm and thus it was safe to let me hold up a hoof and work on it - which is an act of partially giving away its primary means of defense (flight). As the owner starts the video you soon see the 10 month old (coming yearling) trying to smell me and trying to move closer to me (a gesture of respect when you also note it is NOT trying to take it's hoof away from me). You hear me calmly telling it to think harder about just standing still - not sternly rebuking it. So it is obviously moving a little - why am I encouraging it rather than rebuking it? - because it is trying - it is trying to keep the hoof I am working on still even while it turns a bit - I am rewarding the TRY. Eventually I had to straighten it back into the spot I had told it to stand on and you see the owner restart shooting video with the coming yearling back straight and this time it better understood what it was supposed to do and didn't move it's front end - though it again did turn to smell me as a gesture of respect - wanting to smell and thus remember better the herd boss.

And while you personally may not have seen it (yet) please believe me when I tell you from experience that a foal can be trained so it stands perfectly for the farrier the very first time it is ever trimmed. At this link I outline 3 of the many ways you can train your horse (of any age - of any level of current training) to stand perfectly calm and perfectly cooperative for the farrier. https://griffes.tripod.com/stand.html And yes it is an owner responsibility to present the horse (of any age and any background) trained to calmly stand and cooperate with the farrier, veterinarian, equine dentist, chiropractor, massage therapist, etc. - prior to their arrival. When the farrier (or other horse professional) arrives then a little acclimation to a new person and new tools is all that is needed to complete the training.

Training horses always involves some risk of injury (or even death) to the horse, the trainer, any spectators, equipment used, etc. - this risk is totally your own as you will be making your own judgements on what to do. As with any suggestions on any subject you must weigh them out for yourself and proceed accordingly - at your own risk.

Remember to read, study, and ponder upon God's word each day and also pray each day to find out what God needs you to do today and then do it. And have a blessed day!!

Jack Griffes
Constitution Coach
Freedom is the cure - Learn, Love, Live the Principles of Liberty https://griffes.tripod.com/Learn-Founding-Principles.html
Certified Farrier accepting new clients - Colt Starting Trainer one year waiting list https://griffes.tripod.com/farrier.html .