Posted by Phil Armitage on October 24, 2003 at 08:03:37:
In Reply to: Re: Horse Does not want Hoof Picked up to Clean posted by Rick Burten on October 24, 2003 at 00:06:55:
: : Hi,
: : I was hoping to get some insight into my horse's strange behavior. It started last winter/early spring. Everytime I would go to lift his front left to clean his hoof he would try to put it down. At the time I told Callie, she came over and of course he just allowed her to hold it. We decided it was meaningless and forgot about it. He has done it now and then but not alot. Now today I went to clean it and he really wanted me to put it down. I told him to stop and he still tried but I kept a hold of it. Now, this is the same leg that had the bell boot sore but it is healed now. The farrier tested this hoof last week when he was off a bit, if you remember. Now, of course, I am letting my imagination run wild thinking that there might be something REALLY wrong with his foot even though he's not off at all. Am I being ridiculous? I am going to mention it to Callie tomorrow again. It's just that sometimes I am such a worrywart that I annoy her with stupid stuff. What do you think? Do you think he's just got my number? I sort of think that is not it since he easily and willingly lets me clean all his other hooves.
: Often when a horse is unwilling to pick up one foot it is because the other one of the pair is hurting and asking him to stand on it while the other is off the ground is asking too much. I would suggest you check the other front for pain and/or injury.
: Rick
I agree with Rick. The lameness can be anywhere from the foot to the shoulder and it may be mild and mostly uncomfortable to stand. I think if it were a high grade lameness it would show up in a walk or trot. Things like sore knees and shoulders, other joints etc as a horse gets older is common and part of getting old. How old is your horse? Before you worry to much and go off on alot of tangents and try different things or let your imagination run wild. I would call your Vet with a routine request (not an emergency) and have him or her check your horse over. After you have rulled out lameness, it may be just behavior and this requires gaining your horses respect on the ground. This way you have the peace of mind that your horse was diagnosed properly and proceed with a clear concious in his training.
Phil