Change in trot gait

[Arniebear]

Will just start off by saying Vet is out on thursday - i just wanted to see if anyone has seen this before in youngsters?

Purchased a 3yo out the irish sales back in Aug he passed a 2 stage vet. Was absolutely fine when he arrived, i started to back him about a month in all going well, established now in W/T/C.

He's a big boy about 17hh so has a big rangey stride, about a month ago his trot gait changed behind, he now throws me off the left diagonal onto the right. Since day dot he has struggled to get the left canter first off - usually always gets its second time. I didn't think anything of this as horses have a weaker side and he is 3! It's only in trot that he feels different, he still tracks up in walk and can happily canter a large 20m circle with legs exactly where they should be!

He doesnt:
Pull faces when asking for a change in anything, speed, direction a circle etc.
Shift his weight when you first get on - happily just stands there
Swish his tail when asking for a change in anything, speed, direction a circle etc.

He stands normal in the yard no legs at weird angles, he looks level behind, he's no different when picking feet up, doesn't kick them off or throw them about. Basically all those usual tale tale signs of pain he isnt showing!
Currently he isn't really in work, albeit a walk up the road at the weekends to see some traffic or up the tracks - he's not foot sore as happily (ears forward marching on) (He's barefoot) walks up the stoney tracks near the farm. Plan was and still is for him to be on holiday now until spring i just want the vet to check him for piece of mind!

Could it just be that he's grown and is now a little off balance? does that happen? (I've not had one younger than 4 before) There's no signs of trauma to him at all - fall in the field or kicking etc no heat no swelling anywhere.

I am unbelievably paranoid he's broken currently got 2 off work with significant injuries so my mind is doing 360 googling everything but so far he's not showing any classic signs of anything

Anyone seen anything like this before?

 

[Melody Grey]

If I’ve read this correctly, he’s a big young chunk of a horse that has only been backed about a month?

Personally, I’d be hacking in straight lines for some time yet before seriously trying anything much in the school. Try not to worry, he’s got a lot of growing and figuring himself out to do.

wise to get a vets opinion though if you’re worried.

 

[Equi]

Do you have the option of turning away for the winter? It sounds like a lot of work for a very large 3yo.

 

[Skib]

I agree with those who advise you not to school and to leave him be.
But as an RS rider, isnt it normal for any horse to lift the rider on a particular trot diagonal?
In the school one might not notice this but I was useless in lessons and learned most of my riding out hacking. My fav long term mare would throw me up on the right trotting diagonal and I would need to sit one and change my rise from time to time, just as one might when crossing the centre line in a school.
With me it is the right that is favoured but whether this is the RS horse's stronger side or the greater strength of my right side, I dont know. Most humans are right handed but I am left handed.

 

[ycbm]

I agree with those who advise you not to school and to leave him be.
But as an RS rider, isnt it normal for any horse to lift the rider on a particular trot diagonal?

No, it's not normal for the horse to change the diagonal and the rider to have to put it right again. I always take it as a signal that something is going wrong, even if the horse seems sound.

In a youngster I'd probably try some time off work and see what happened.
.

 

[Arniebear]

If I’ve read this correctly, he’s a big young chunk of a horse that has only been backed about a month?

Personally, I’d be hacking in straight lines for some time yet before seriously trying anything much in the school. Try not to worry, he’s got a lot of growing and figuring himself out to do.

wise to get a vets opinion though if you’re worried.

He's been backed 3 months now, worked no more than 10 mins in the arena purely as this was the safest place to ride, its a big arena though so mainly worked in straight lines. He's on holiday now until march so plenty of time to grow and figure life out. My concern was purely because something had changed without an obvious reason for it.

Do you have the option of turning away for the winter? It sounds like a lot of work for a very large 3yo.

Yes he is now on holiday until march, turned out daily with friends but stabled at night as that's my set up.

I agree with those who advise you not to school and to leave him be.
But as an RS rider, isnt it normal for any horse to lift the rider on a particular trot diagonal?
In the school one might not notice this but I was useless in lessons and learned most of my riding out hacking. My fav long term mare would throw me up on the right trotting diagonal and I would need to sit one and change my rise from time to time, just as one might when crossing the centre line in a school.
With me it is the right that is favoured but whether this is the RS horse's stronger side or the greater strength of my right side, I dont know. Most humans are right handed but I am left handed.

The plan was always to back and then leave him be for the winter, my concern was purely as something had changed in his way of going without an obvious reason, i've had alot of issues with major injuries over the years and everyone i know who has had youngsters hasn't experienced this hence asking on here if its a more common thing or not. He will of course be checked over for my own piece of mind and then given winter off and checked again before starting proper work next year at 4

No, it's not normal for the horse to change the diagonal and the rider to have to put it right again. I always take it as a signal that something is going wrong, even if the horse seems sound.

In a youngster I'd probably try some time off work and see what happened.
.

Yeah exactly that's what i'm concerned about, everything was fine, nothing obvious has happened, but now we aren't fine. Rest is the best option of course and that's the plan, i just want him checked over in case I've missed something, with 2 currently broken in the field with major issues i'm somewhat paranoid and all i want is the best for him.
Was just wandering if anyone has experienced anything similar. He's more than happy out with his buddies so i have no concern giving him plenty of field time, will see what he's like next year at 4 there's absolutely no rush with him

 

[pistolpete]

Agree with everyone who has said he needs time off. Only three not finished growing. He will come back so much straighter and stronger next year.

 

[Equi]

Hopfully just a growth spurt. Reassess in March and try not to worry until then.