Unwilling to pick up front hoof

[arizonahoney]

My pony is fine to have his hooves picked out, but he is a bit unwilling to lift left fore. Would you say that this might indicate some kind of lameness in right fore, because he doesn't want to transfer his weight onto it as I lift the other leg?

 

[Miss L Toe]

I would agree, worthy of investigation, have someone walk him up and down for you then trot up and down, several times, but not quickly.

 

[muff747]

Watch him when you let him put his left foot down, does he immediately take the weight off his right foot? If the answer's yes, then he is uncomforable on the right fore. My test for laminitis is try turning him to the right in a tight circle, if he is sore, he will have difficulty turning.
I am suggesting laminitis as you only have to read the posts on the forums to see that there are many horses suffering at this time of year. The drought followed by rain and sunshine = lethal grass
It could be a bruised sole, it could also be small abcess brewing, that would be the best result but I would take him off the grass pronto, just in case.

 

[arizonahoney]

Thank you!

 

[happy_talk]

not sure on age of horse- but I've also seen this with a splint forming. apply firm pressure to the splint bone/s- there should be no reaction.