One Sided?

I had a break through for those of you following my stubborn 2 yo gelding. I got him to give me his front feet! You have no idea what a breakthrough this is for us. Just putting hoof oil on them was a challenge. No one touched his feet as a baby so now he is just a BIG baby! THe problem that I noticed is that getting him to give me his left foot was SO much easier than the right. He seemed nervous about lifting the right one up at all never mind holding it for me. Do you think he is really right sided and doesn't feel comfortable putting all the weight on the left?

Tomorrow we tackle the back.....

No. My guess would be since horses are typically handled from the left he is more comfortable with you there than on the right and most people will touch the left leg more often being on that side. Just give him time.
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Momo3boys,

The horse is set up with a brain on each side, figuratively speaking. Everything the horse learns must be figured out from each side independently. I would expect with your boy you would need to do twice as much work on the right side as the left till you get him caught up.

Ben

I did get back at it today and got both front feet up twice. Still more work to get the right than the left but not as much as Wednesday...although I think he squished my toes pretty good, not his fault I just had them in the wrong place wrong time...

It really does seem like he doesn't like to put his weight on his front left side..he almost fell down today when I lifted the right one up and he wasn't that off balance. He also doesn't like to turn to the left. Is there anything I can do to strengthen the other side?

I may be wrong on this (Someone please correct me if I am) But working him, and strengthening his back and butt muscles will help with balance right? Just like.. long lining him over poles, and such should help with that... If I'm right... Lol I'm not positive though..

I think I had a discovery today. WHen I was lifting his foot (not his favorite thing) he was shifting his balance and almost fell, this time on his left side. I think he is just getting used to the idea of standing on three legs?

Yes, at 2 y/o he's still figuring out the balancing on 3 legs thing.

Horses, like people, are right or left handed. Right or left hoofed actually, but you know what I mean.

If you're naturally right handed, it's difficult for you to learn how to do things with your left hand. It's possible, but much harder than something that comes to you naturally.

If you think of it that way, then your horse having trouble with his left side when doing doings is to be completely expected.

I have found every horse to have one hoof/leg they are more resistant on. Maybe not truly naughty but quicker to pick up or put down, lean on you a bit, etc.

Yep, it's Walk for muscle
Trot for balance
Canter for wind