Clumsy, uncoordinated boy - neurological?

[Elsiejay]

6 YO gelding, Irish cob, 15.1hh. Had two previous homes, both very laid-back and loving, not much intensive work to speak of so he's really not got too much muscle bulk. When we first got him, we thought his loping/swinging, ambling gait was sweet and that he was just generally a bit loosey-goosey (for want of a better description!). But he over-reaches (mainly only on the left side) and trips quite frequently. A vet saw him move the other day, and suggested that something neurological could be the cause, but to just walk him (really walk him, not just plodding along) regularly for the next month to see if we could get some muscle growth going. Now he's being ridden/put on the walker daily, and when riding I've also tried him over the odd pole to really get him picking his feet up, which he handles fine (mostly), bless him.

To watch him, it's like that right hind leg stride just isn't as long as the left. He really swings as he walks, you almost bounce in the saddle, and it's as though he just flops his feet down to the floor without paying any attention at all (hence the tripping, and some skidding on concrete - whether he's being ridden or led). I've noticed recently some funny stretching as he stands in his stable, leaning with his back legs out as if he's going to go for a wee. He really doesn't seem to be in any pain, and he's his usual gorgeous self personality-wise.

So...

Any thoughts, advice or personal experiences really appreciated - good or bad. Anything more I can look for? Anything to help him? Anything I can read up on?? Will obviously continue to follow vet's advice, but sometimes it's good to have a chat about it too...

 

[joycec]

6 YO gelding, Irish cob, 15.1hh. Had two previous homes, both very laid-back and loving, not much intensive work to speak of so he's really not got too much muscle bulk. When we first got him, we thought his loping/swinging, ambling gait was sweet and that he was just generally a bit loosey-goosey (for want of a better description!). But he over-reaches (mainly only on the left side) and trips quite frequently. A vet saw him move the other day, and suggested that something neurological could be the cause, but to just walk him (really walk him, not just plodding along) regularly for the next month to see if we could get some muscle growth going. Now he's being ridden/put on the walker daily, and when riding I've also tried him over the odd pole to really get him picking his feet up, which he handles fine (mostly), bless him.

To watch him, it's like that right hind leg stride just isn't as long as the left. He really swings as he walks, you almost bounce in the saddle, and it's as though he just flops his feet down to the floor without paying any attention at all (hence the tripping, and some skidding on concrete - whether he's being ridden or led). I've noticed recently some funny stretching as he stands in his stable, leaning with his back legs out as if he's going to go for a wee. He really doesn't seem to be in any pain, and he's his usual gorgeous self personality-wise.

So...

Any thoughts, advice or personal experiences really appreciated - good or bad. Anything more I can look for? Anything to help him? Anything I can read up on?? Will obviously continue to follow vet's advice, but sometimes it's good to have a chat about it too...

Camping out and incoordination can be signs of EPSM which is common in heavies. How spongy are his bum muscles, hamstring in particular?

 

[Elsiejay]

Hi, and thanks. I did come across EPSM in my Google travels earlier - although he's not very muscly (a good covering of meat over everything, just a bit of a pathetic bum and shoulder), what is there doesn't feel either worryingly squashy, or bunched tight.