coby
Active Member
I have just been to see a horse whose hips make a clicking sound when ridden. Would this be indicative of an underlying problem, or is it a common thing, and nothing to worry about?
Clicking sound from hips when being ridden
- Thread starter coby
- Start date
Dirty_D
Well-Known Member
My previous Ex-racer did this and then when warmed up it stopped but my current (again ex-racer) does it constantly. Doesn't seem to have any bearing on performance and my instructor says alot of people are put off by it when really it doesnt usually matter (usually cheaper in price!)
I suppose same as us some athlete's will creak and others won't (not that im an athlete!)
If his paces and movement look ok and it's just purely the noise then i wouldnt overly worry.
I would love to know if anyone else has any other opinions though . . . ?
I suppose same as us some athlete's will creak and others won't (not that im an athlete!)
If his paces and movement look ok and it's just purely the noise then i wouldnt overly worry.
I would love to know if anyone else has any other opinions though . . . ?
vhf
Well-Known Member
I have heard both "don't touch" and "don't worry" comments on this.
My old TB eventer did it in walk. I asked my horse vet (NB we're talking mid 1980's) and he said to ignore it.
I took him from medium dressage when I bought him at 9 yrs to intermediate eventing, he then hunted until 17, did RDA work, then happy hacker til he was retired at 24? and finally died at 29 due to sarcoids.
He never had a moment's issue with back, hips or arthritis in all that time.
My old TB eventer did it in walk. I asked my horse vet (NB we're talking mid 1980's) and he said to ignore it.
I took him from medium dressage when I bought him at 9 yrs to intermediate eventing, he then hunted until 17, did RDA work, then happy hacker til he was retired at 24? and finally died at 29 due to sarcoids.
He never had a moment's issue with back, hips or arthritis in all that time.
Slinkyunicorn
Well-Known Member
My coblet clicks in walk - can't say I've noticed any other time but maybe I just don't hear it. Doesn't stop her doing anything and am not aware of it causing her any problems.
The old hunter I used to ride (about 25) also clicked but again he was fit and healthy and had no problems.
The old hunter I used to ride (about 25) also clicked but again he was fit and healthy and had no problems.
ttt
Well-Known Member
The 4 year old that I bought used to do this. I had bought him by the time we heard it. We have now had him for approx. 2.5 years. He has never been lame or stiff and is now jumping 1.20 at home and has won PC dressage. I can't say for certain 'don't worry' but in my experience, we have never had a problem and we haven't heard it for for a few years now. I wondered if it was because he wasn't in full work when we bought him?
LankyDoodle
Well-Known Member
Well I don't quite know what to say on this, as I have a varied experience with clicking joints. My 19 year old cob, George, has always had clicky joints, for the whole 7 years I have owned him, and they're not always apparent - it seems to happen every once in a while for a few minutes on a ride, and I've been told by the vet and various other people, that it is most likely air in the joint causing the clicking sound. Save to say, knock on wood, he's never given us a bit of trouble and is always sound as a pound. We had a little worry last year, but it was to do with his saddle.
Lanky, however, has clicky hinds. In particular the near hind. It seems to come from low down the leg, and it is almost always there - in the field and out on rides. Last Wednesday, we found out Lanky has OCD in his near hind stifle, and may never be ridden again. Because the clicking was not just momentary and seemed to be there a lot of the time, I do assume it is not down to air in the joint, and may even be linked to his OCD (as OCD makes the contact between the two bones in the stifle less smooth and, thus, can become painful).
So I would probably advise a full vetting on this one (ie xrays of any suspicious joints etc), as it could go either way.
Lanky, however, has clicky hinds. In particular the near hind. It seems to come from low down the leg, and it is almost always there - in the field and out on rides. Last Wednesday, we found out Lanky has OCD in his near hind stifle, and may never be ridden again. Because the clicking was not just momentary and seemed to be there a lot of the time, I do assume it is not down to air in the joint, and may even be linked to his OCD (as OCD makes the contact between the two bones in the stifle less smooth and, thus, can become painful).
So I would probably advise a full vetting on this one (ie xrays of any suspicious joints etc), as it could go either way.
kerrylou123
Well-Known Member
My ex racer does this too.... but only out hacking. Never noticed it schooling or jumping, but that may just be because I concentrate too hard?
It doesn't appear to have been causing her any problems yet.
I get a clicky hip myself, it doesn't cause me aly problems, just makes my friends feel a bit ill. I'm 23 at the moment, so what problems it will bring in the future, who knows? Will just have to wait and see!
It doesn't appear to have been causing her any problems yet.
I get a clicky hip myself, it doesn't cause me aly problems, just makes my friends feel a bit ill. I'm 23 at the moment, so what problems it will bring in the future, who knows? Will just have to wait and see!
Sharonr
Well-Known Member
My ex racer also has a clicky hip. Had my vet have a look at it and he advised that it is due to him having a tilted pelvis but that it won't do him any harm and that the best way to help it is by doing up hill work.
He doesn't seem to have any problems with it, it just doesn't sound very nice!!
He doesn't seem to have any problems with it, it just doesn't sound very nice!!
JoBo
Well-Known Member
My old pony use to have a clicky hip at the beginning of work and it never affected her in any way at all, and I did all sorts with her. She also passed a 5 stage vetting when I sold her.