Clicky joints and stumbling..

[aldato_daz]

Hi all.

My 16.3hh 10yo, wbxtb's joints in in his hind end click quite frequently. Whilst riding he would also stumble from behind, i thought this was just weakness and him not using himself correctly from behind when going around corners, and possibly me being an unbalanced rider sometimes...but today i took him out on the lunge in a headcollar just and just let him school loosely and relaxed, no pressure from tack or rider and he still clicked and still stumbled!!

I have been reading up on this about clicky joints and people are saying its the same as with us air trapped in the joints...but could he be stiff? Could this be why he sint using himself properly behind in his canter stride etc?

Would it do any harm putting him on a joint supplement? If so, what is a relatively cheap one that is effective? Just so I can try it out and see if he improves any?

Thanks for any advice!

C

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

yes it will help check this out Flexi joint gives you a money back guarantee so nothing to lose http://equinecare-and-control.weebly.com/j.html

 

[*Maddy&Occhi*]

It defintley sounds as if he is getting stiff, especially with the very cold weather we have had. I have known stifness to cause stumbling.

My mare is 14 and clicks an awful lot, we believe she has arthritus in the hocks although this has never been professionaly diagnosed, my farrier also thinks she has it. She's an ex-eventer so it does make sense and is more likely she would get it at an earlier age.

When horses click (or humans) it means there is air in the joints. It can be caused by anything such as arthritus (top case) sitting down or standing for a long period of time, coldness.

I use devils relief joint suppliment which is pretty good. But I would only start on the joint suppliment once you have ruled stuff out like back, teeth etc. Could be just general stifness which some horses get, or there could be a reason (some ive stated below)

Has he had a change of routine lately? I find my mares clickiness and stiffness gets worse if her routine is changed e.g. if her work schedule is upped or if she hasnt been ridden for a few days.

Plenty of turnout will stop him from getting sore and stiff.

Dont let him get cold either, he could be stiff if he's a little cold.

Has he had back, teeth and saddle done? The jaw/teeth area is all conected to his back. So if either one or both is sore, it would effect the other end from working and processing properley. If this all needs to be done, id get these eliminated first.

Hope this helps xx