Advice? Problem rolling?

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crackersluvrat

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I am possibly worrying too much but recently I have not seen my horse roll and am starting to think there may be a problem? He always used to roll pretty much straight away after I turned him out but hasn't done for about 6weeks now, (I have seen him lying down a couple of times in the morning though).

Then tonight when I turned him out he started to go down as if to roll, got as far as folding his front legs and 'bowing' then when he went to bend his hindlegs it seemed as if he 'changed his mind' and got back up and just shook his body (like they do after they have rolled).

I don't know whether maybe there is a problem (perhaps through his back or hindquarters) that is making it painful for him to get down to roll or whether I am just worrying too much, any advice would be appreciated!
 
I would go with my instincts and get the physio to have a look at his back - can't hurt and physios are very helpful on a routine basis so nothing to loose.
 
Whenever I've encountered horses that won't lie down/roll it's been for one of two reasons - back pain, or arthritis in joints which meant they found it painful/difficult to get back up.
Time for a vet visit, I'm afraid.
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Sounds like it could be back.

I have also had problems with a horse that had a virus that had rolling issues. We eventually came to the conclusion it was some sort of inner ear problem which was affecting his balance but we never got to the bottom of it. He had some reallly bizarre symptoms though.
 
I did run my hand down his back tonight as unfortunately he has suffered back trouble in the past due to a badly-fitting saddle. Tonight there was some 'flinching' on his back where the end of the saddle fits - this is not unusual so I am going to get the physio out as soon as I can however this probably won't be for at least a week. He has had worse pain in his back before though and I don't think it has caused problems rolling?
 
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Whenever I've encountered horses that won't lie down/roll it's been for one of two reasons - back pain, or arthritis in joints which meant they found it painful/difficult to get back up.
Time for a vet visit, I'm afraid.
S
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Agree 100%
 
He is only 12 and has a joint supplement so I hope it's not arthritis.

He is fine to ride so I hope it's nothing too serious, I think the plan of action is physio first then if she thinks appropriate will take to vet :S
 
My money would be on hocks - sounds like he doesn't want to get back up again once he feels pain in his hocks.

Ty is 10 and has hock spavin so unfortunately it can hit at any time...
 
[ QUOTE ]
My money would be on hocks - sounds like he doesn't want to get back up again once he feels pain in his hocks.

Ty is 10 and has hock spavin so unfortunately it can hit at any time...

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Can you give me any more information on this, are there any other signs to look out for?
 
Spavins are due to bony changes in/around the hock joint. They often cause bilateral lameness - the horse looking stiff or unlevel, or even a bit lazy behind rather than tracking up. Sometimes they will start to refuse at jumping, be resistant on the flat.
How lame or sound the horse is depends pretty much on which part of the hock joint is affected - bone changes which affect the articular surfaces obviously cause more problems.
Sometimes, too, the horse will be reluctant to go up/down hill, and their shoe wear patterns may change a bit (to have more wear on the outside of the hind shoes, normally).
I hope he has just tweaked something...and recovers quickly for you (he is lucky to have such an observant and caring owner).
S
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