Any ideas whats up with her?

S

Switchthehorse

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So my mare is 7, has no history of lameness, and apart from a couple of colics is in good health.

We had a grid work lesson on Sunday and she worked pretty hard but no apparent lameness during or after the lesson, walked and trotted up fine Monday morning.

Monday evening took her to the school to do some schooling - she stopped and refused to move 3 times on the way to the school (100 yards max). Then stopped twice on the way to the mounting block and had to force her there to get on (not maliciously!). Figured her heart wasnt in it. Sound on a loose rein and then when took up a contact after working her in she was a bit hoppity hop, especially on circles/corners. No apparent 'worse' leg just a bit short and hoppity!? Not overly keen to go forward. Got off and legs fine, no heat or swelling, took her back to box, back fine no soreness, trotted her up, sound as a pound, happy in her box, put it down to stiffness after jumping all those bounces on sunday! Although she has never been stiff after jumping before and does it regularly.

Last night, almost re-enactment of monday night. Didnt want to go to school. Finally got her in. Fine when warming up. Then into contact and hoppity hop. Had a few people have a look, no one could see a definite 'problem' leg. They said she wasnt 'lame' as such just not 'right'. Equally bad on each rein. Only on corners and circles, only intermittent and just a bit short and heart not really in it. Got off, trotted her up, sound as a pound. Checked back, general stretches and doesnt seem to be sore or stiff. Just 'heart not in it' again. Back in box, happy as larry, wanting polos, eating normally.

She is fit and competes jumping and stressage every other week or so. This has never happened before. No obvious stiffness in terms of flexion etc. As i say no heat, swelling in any leg, and no real 'problem' leg, just a bit short, a bit noddy and not quite level. Shod 3 weeks ago so cant blame that... any ideas?

thanks in advance!
 
Sounds like her back to me. My horse has a severe case of kissing spines and long before he started having ridden problems he would keep stopping on his way to the arena or the mounting block. When his ridden problems started he had a reluctance to go forward, having previously been very willing and forward going. Eventually it culminated in a complete refusal to canter on a circle. Could cope with straight lines okay. I am not saying your mare has anything that serious, just that back pain can cause the symptoms you describe. Personally, I would rest her a few days with turnout and then if she's no better, get the vet.
 
Oh dear!! :) Feet, back, shoulders and teeth!! She's falling apart!!!

Thanks for the suggestions though! Her teeth have been checked recently and are fine, physio was out ten days ago and a bit tight but back a-ok - and is due back out tomorrow!

Will keep an eye on feet, she is a sturdy girl and never had probs before but appreciate that means nothing

Fingers crossed it is simply a few 'off days' am supposed to have a flat lesson tonight so will get my instructor to take a look and see what she thinks

Maybe i am just paranoid!?
 
One of my boys was like this the other week, not lame lame but just not quite 'through', no energy or enthusiasm and generally a bit quiet. I put it down to the weather dropping in temperature considerably over a couple of days and been worked quite hard most of the time so gave him a few chill out days and put him on propell plus and this week he's back to normal :) Maybe she's just feeling a little yucky in general at the moment and is using more energy to stay warm now so not getting enough to give her some umph too? Keep an eye out for a few days try a couple of different things and if no different get a vet mot :D Hope shes ok though! x
 
Hi, i would give her a few days off and see how she is after that - it might just right itself. I wouldnt call the vet just yet i would see how she goes good Luck! x:)
 
Wagtail said:
Sounds like her back to me. My horse has a severe case of kissing spines and long before he started having ridden problems he would keep stopping on his way to the arena or the mounting block. When his ridden problems started he had a reluctance to go forward, having previously been very willing and forward going. Eventually it culminated in a complete refusal to canter on a circle. Could cope with straight lines okay. I am not saying your mare has anything that serious, just that back pain can cause the symptoms you describe. Personally, I would rest her a few days with turnout and then if she's no better, get the vet.
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The above. Sounds like back if she is not happy being collected.
 
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