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Let’s be honest – there’s nothing more stressful (or downright embarrassing) than when your horse refuses to behave for their hoof care appointments. Maybe they won’t stand still, keep snatching their legs or start throwing their weight around. Whatever the behaviour, it’s no fun for you, the professional or your horse.

But with a bit of patience, some groundwork and a better understanding of what your horse needs, you can make farrier visits a lot smoother. A little preparation goes a long way in helping your horse feel more relaxed and cooperative, as well as keeping everyone safe in the process.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through five simple steps to help turn your horse into the kind of client your farrier or hoof care professional (HCP) loves to work with.

Quick note: If your horse’s behaviour has changed suddenly or seems out of character, it’s always worth checking for pain. Don’t hesitate to get your vet or physio involved if you’re unsure.

 

  1. Teach Him How To Stand Still

One of the best ways to prepare your horse for the farrier is to work on any issues before the appointment, rather than waiting until the day itself. It takes time, patience and consistency, but the results are well worth it.

It might sound basic, but teaching your horse to stand still and stay calm is one of the most valuable skills you can develop. It’s something that can benefit you both in all sorts of situations, from vet visits to loading and tacking up. Yet it’s surprisingly common for this simple foundation to be overlooked in day-to-day training.

Here’s a simple way to start:

  1. With your horse in a headcollar and lead rope, stand facing him.
  2. If he moves – whether stepping forward or shifting their weight – calmly ask him to step back into the original position.
  3. Repeat this consistently, watching for signs of relaxation, such as:
    • Blowing out
    • Repeated blinking
    • A softened eye
    • Lowering the head
    • Relaxed ears
    • Licking and chewing
    • Resting a hind leg
    • Yawning
  4. Every time your horse shows a sign of release, reward him – either with a nice scratch or your voice. This will help him start to associate relaxing and standing still with something positive.
  5. Always finish on a good note. If he offers a big release, like a yawn, that’s the perfect time to end the session.
  6. Practise regularly – daily if possible – and you’ll start to notice a real difference. Over time, your horse will begin to relax sooner and stand for longer, even as you gradually increase the challenge by stepping further away.

Tip: If your horse is struggling to settle, try asking him to move his hindquarters left and right (as in a turn on the forehand). This can be a great way to re-engage his focus and gently remind him that you’re in charge, helping him feel secure enough to switch off.

 

  1. Practise Lifting Legs

A big part of any farrier visit is your horse calmly lifting and holding up his legs as the farrier works. While relaxation is a huge part of this (as mentioned above), you can also train your horse to lift and hold his legs on cue – making the whole process smoother for everyone.

Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:

  1. Introduce the cue. Start by physically lifting your horse’s leg and, as you do it, introduce a verbal cue like “lift” or “up”. Once the leg is back on the ground, reward your horse with a scratch, or a verbal cue.
  2. Transition to a light tap. Once your horse is familiar with the cue, begin phasing out the need to physically lift the leg. Instead, gently tap the back of the cannon bone while saying the cue word. Continue tapping until your horse lifts the leg, then reward him immediately.
  3. Refine the aid. As your horse begins to understand, gradually lighten the tap and reduce how often you need to apply it. Over time, your horse should respond to just the verbal cue alone.
  4. Build duration. When your horse is confidently offering each leg, start increasing how long he holds it up for. Use your daily hoof care routine as a training opportunity. This not only prepares them for farrier visits, but also makes everyday care easier for you, too.

With patience and consistency, your horse will soon understand what’s being asked of him and be far more relaxed and cooperative when the farrier comes to visit.

 

  1. How To Desensitise Your Horse

While teaching your horse to stand still and lift his legs is part of the desensitisation process, it’s also worth working on his overall confidence and ability to stay calm in different environments. A horse that’s generally more “spook-proof” is far less likely to become tense or reactive on a busy yard, making farrier visits – and everyday handling – much easier and safer.

This kind of training pays off in all sorts of situations, from grooming and vet visits to hacking out.

You can start by gently introducing your horse to different sights, sounds and sensations. Here are a few ideas:

  • Use soft, noisy objects like plastic bags to build trust – start by simply having the bag near him, then progress to gently touching or moving it around
  • Walk your horse over unusual surfaces like tarpaulins or rubber mats
  • Introduce sounds like clippers, tools clinking or even recorded audio of yard noise to help him stay relaxed when things get loud

Take everything at your horse’s pace and work through any sticky points gradually. The goal isn’t to overwhelm him – it’s to build trust and confidence over time. By helping your horse learn that these things aren’t scary, you’re strengthening your bond and setting him up to stay calm even when the yard is busy or unfamiliar.

That way, when the farrier arrives, he’ll be more likely to look to you for reassurance and handle the whole experience with quiet confidence.

 

  1. Provide the Right Environment

As much as we’d love our horses to stay calm in any situation, setting them up for success means creating the most stress-free environment possible – especially during a farrier visit.

If you can, try to book your appointment for a quieter time of day, when the yard is less busy and there are fewer distractions. Think about what kind of setting helps your horse feel most relaxed. Does he settle better with other horses nearby, or does he prefer some quiet one-on-one time?

If there’s a particular buddy who helps him stay calm, see if that horse can be nearby for emotional support. A simple haynet can also work wonders by giving your horse something to focus on and making the experience feel more positive.

Ultimately, the goal is to make the visit as smooth and stress-free as possible for both your horse and the farrier. A little forward planning goes a long way in helping your horse feel safe, supported and more likely to behave well throughout the session.

 

If you have a young or nervous horse consider paying for a time slot with your hoof care professional to work on leg handling with no shoeing or trimming involved. This can be really worth while for everyone in the long run.

 

  1. Control Your Mindset

Horses are incredibly sensitive creatures who pick up on our emotions and energy faster than we often realise. So, if things start going off-track, it’s worth checking in with ourselves first before blaming them.

If you share a strong bond with your horse, he’ll be attuned to your mood whether you mean to show it or not. That’s why managing your own mindset on the day of a farrier visit is just as important as preparing your horse.

Ask yourself:

  • Have I had a stressful day?
  • Am I feeling rushed or distracted?
  • Am I already anticipating that my horse might misbehave?

All of these things can make you more tense, impatient or inconsistent and your horse will feed off that energy.

Groundwork sessions aren’t just training for your horse – they’re also a chance for you to practise staying calm, breathing deeply and setting a steady tone. The more grounded and positive you are, the more confident and relaxed your horse will feel in your presence.

So take a moment before each session to reset your energy. By leading with calm confidence, you’re showing your horse there’s nothing to worry about and setting the stage for a far smoother experience.

 

In Conclusion

Preparing your horse for the farrier isn’t just about ticking off a to-do list – it’s about building trust, confidence and a calmer connection between you and your horse.

With a bit of consistency, patience and awareness (of both your horse and you), those once-stressful visits can become just another easy part of your routine. Whether your horse is young and learning the ropes or older with a few bad habits, it’s never too late to make the experience better for everyone involved.

For help with groundwork try the book ‘Perfect Manners’ by Kelly Marks, or for hands on support, search for an Intelligent Horsemanship Recommended Trainer in your area. You can also find a coach near you by checking the British Horse Society register of instructors.  

Here at Red Horse Products, we’re passionate about supporting you and your horse every step of the way – starting from the ground up. Explore our carefully formulated hoof care range to help keep your horse comfortable, healthy, and happy between farrier visits.