I've seen a lot of people make working with a foal's feet harder than it has to be. There is a simple way to teach them how to be cooperative and willing. I usually start working on this when they are about 2 or 3 weeks old and repeat it every day for about 10 days, depending on the foal. Here's what I do.

I like to have two people for this task. Work with the foal in a confined area like a stall. To pick up the front feet, position the foal's rear end in a corner. Have the other handler at the foal's head, holding him with a halter and lead rope, but using only as much pressure as necessary. Both of you should be on the same side of the foal, because if he starts moving and the handler puts pressure on his head, the foal will move away from both of you. Start with your hand on the foal's shoulder and slowly move it all the way down to the foot. (Most of them will pick up their feet before you get all the way to the foot.) The amount of pressure should be light and easy, and not forceful. Even if the foal starts moving for some reason at this point, just keep that hand going down the leg and most foals will pick up their feet. If the foal you are working with doesn't pick up his foot, keep applying pressure until he does. And when he picks it up, take hold of the leg and place the hoof in your hand as quickly as possible so the foal will feel secure. Be sure to hold the hoof directly under the horse's shoulder. If you pull it out to the side, the foal feels very unbalanced and uncomfortable and will probably try to jerk it away from you. When working on picking up the front legs, place all four fingers and the thumb in the front of the leg, keeping them together. If you open the thumb very far and the foal decides to come forward, your thumb will be jammed or worse.

To pick up the back legs, put the foal's head in a corner and again have a handler at his head. Starting at the foal's hip let your hand slide down the hind leg. Keep your thumb and fingers together on the back side of his leg, again protecting the thumb from injury. Just as you did when working with the front feet, be sure both handlers are on the same side of the foal and keep the hind leg underneath the foal instead of trying to pull it out to the side.

It really is very simple, but I've seen enough people have trouble with it that I thought I would share how it should be done.