I agree that it sounds like he has you all figured out, but luckily, you can fix that. It also sounds like he could have had a bad experience when he was young. Maybe he was roughly handled or he could have had an injury that required a lot of treatment... who knows. My horse used to be a bit of a booger with his front feet, too. He didn't jerk them away or anything, he just would NOT give them to me. I had to practically knock him off balance in order to get one foot off the ground. This is what I did with him...
Approach like there is nothing wrong, like you don't expect him to give you a fight. Just pet his neck, withers, shoulder, and eventually his leg. Talk calmly to him, reassure him. Once you work your way to his hoof, stop. Just stand back up and give him a scratch on the withers. I'd keep doing this for at least 5 to 10 minutes. That way, he will start to associate you touching his legs and hooves as a good thing that he actually wants.
After that, work your way down his leg again, but this time, when you get down to the chestnut (the big callus looking bump on the inside of his upper leg), start putting pressure on it by squeezing it. This wont hurt him at all, it has the same affect as when your doctor hits your knee with a plexor and makes it jerk. Squeezing the chestnut should make him at least lift his foot up a little. When he does, let go immediately and praise him. Practice that for another 5-10 minutes, always letting go right when he picks his foot up. Don't forget to go back to just scratching and petting him, too. That will be his favorite part!
Eventually, start picking up his foot when he lifts it, hold it for a few seconds, then let go. Gradually hold it longer and longer, then start brushing it, then picking it... just go slow and always always be reassuring and calm. Don't let on that you are expecting a fight or else he will pick up on that and give you one. If he tries to pull away, hang on until he gives in even a little bit. The tiniest relaxation counts and once he does it, let go. He will learn that when he stops resisting, you will let him go. Just remember to be calm and patient. Even if he is being really naughty, patience is the key. Don't yell or raise your arms, just stand still and let him act like an ass by himself. Once he is calm, start over.
I'm not saying you will see immediate results and you'll be able to clean his fronts without a fuss in the same session, but if you are patient and work with him on this for a few weeks, he should come around and give you his feet willingly. I don't even have to touch my horse's feet anymore, I just say "Give it here" and he picks it right up and holds it for me.
Good luck! If you need more help, just send me a message!
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