Can you ride if your horse is lame?

T

Trekker

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Ive got a half an hour lesson booked in for tomorrow..

I rode my new pony today..he was fine in walk..but when I got trotting he seemed to nod with his head and he looked like he may be a bit sore on one of his front legs..he is not hopping lame..and was fine walking to and from the field..you wouldn't even know anything was bothering him..

Turned him out after I rode today..and he went galloping off..

What would you do??
 
Get someone to watch him when you trot him up, or stick him on the lunge and have a look at him. If he is lame then no, I wouldn't have a lesson on him. The problem with working a lame horse is you could make a minor problem worse and end up having to rest the horse for much longer overall. Plus, it's not really fair on the horse! But first I think you need to make sure that he actually is lame.
 
Trot him up in a headcollar tomorrow morning and see if he's lame. Maybe hose his legs and feel for any lumps or heat.

Def wouldn't ride if I had any inkling of lameness.

Rest him for a few days and see how he is.
 
Would you go for a run round in circles if your leg was hurting?

Don't ride him if you even think he's lame. Get someone knowledgeable to look at him and if in any doubt keep him in for a few days, if its only mild see how he goes and call the vet if he doesn't get any better/gets worse.
 
No! I would never consider riding a lame horse. If they are lame they are in pain, an absolute no no!

If youre not sure if he's lame you need to get someone knowledgable to have a look at him and decide whether you need to call a vet.
 
It can depend why they are lame. If they are slightly lame from stiffness, you can "walk them sound".

However, if they are lame enough to notice then I wouldnt ride. Could be something as simple as a stone in the foot or maybe more serious like soft tissue damage.

In your situation I would re-assess tomorrow, trot horse up (after checking hoof & picking them out), look for any cuts/bumps/etc. and if still not found out why & horse not 100% call the vet out :)
 
Thank you for all your help...he is not hot in any of his legs...I will ask my riding instructer to look at him tomorrow..he is alot more experienced..if pony is lame i will call the vet.
 
yes you could ride if your horse was lame...... on another horse. he is lame cos h has pain somewhere .. could be anywhere. NO you shouldnt ride a lame horse. if he is lame then get the vet.
 
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