Ears back and not going forward in canter

[Na1998]

Looking for some advice, my horse has recently started to resent canter. He is ok in trot albeit a bit tail twishy but when asking for canter he is pinning his ears back, bucking and not going forward. Just seems generally un happy but working well in the trot, had his saddle check and teeth checked - all fine?

he is prone to ulcers so I am restarting him on omeprazole as a precautionary measure

 

[ycbm]

I had the same eight days ago for the first time. Today I got a diagnosis of bilateral hind limb lameness resultung from asymmetric pastern bones.

I suspect your guy needs a lack of performance workup.
.

 

[Na1998]

I had the same eight days ago for the first time. Today I got a diagnosis of bilateral hind limb lameness resultung from asymmetric pastern bones.

I suspect your guy needs a lack of performance workup.
.

He has a 5 stage pre purchase examination last year and full X-rays

 

[AmyMay]

Have you tried a different saddle?

 

[Na1998]

Have you tried a different saddle?

I actually have him a new saddle he was measured up for

 

[AmyMay]

I actually have him a new saddle he was measured up for

Ok. But have you tried him in a different one?

 

[Na1998]

Ok. But have you tried him in a different one?

Not yet, waiting for ulcer treatment to arrive to eliminate that before I even ask for canter again. I can pop his old one back on

 

[ycbm]

He has a 5 stage pre purchase examination last week and full X-rays

Make sure your vet keeps the bloods. Was this a private sale or a dealer one? If a dealer sale then let the dealer know now that you are having issues.
.

 

[ycbm]

I actually have him a new saddle he was measured up for

Measured up for and arrived in 5 days or less? I would try some other saddles.

 

[Na1998]

Make sure your vet keeps the bloods. Was this a private sale or a dealer one? If a dealer sale then let the dealer know now that you are having issues.
.

Sorry I meant last year not last week he was absolutely fine when he came

 

[Na1998]

Measured up for and arrived in 5 days or less? I would try some other saddles.

Sorry my post is meant to say purchased last year!!

 

[Zoeypxo]

Sounds like a pain response, vet for a work up and maybe scope too. Alot can change in a year unfortunately.

 

[AmyMay]

Sorry my post is meant to say purchased last year!!

Is this the horse with melanoma?

 

[Na1998]

Is this the horse with melanoma?

No separate one

 

[Na1998]

Sounds like a pain response, vet for a work up and maybe scope too. Alot can change in a year unfortunately.

He was at the vet last year and had a full work up, torn cartilage in his stifle. He had cameras inserted into his legs under GA at a specialist equine hospital but was given the green light to return to full work. Also had a vet out to scan his stifles 3 weeks and all ok

 

[AmyMay]

I’d start with the most obvious thing first then - the saddle.

 

[Gloi]

Does he canter on the lunge and loose without being grumpy?

 

[Na1998]

Does he canter on the lunge and loose without being grumpy?

I don’t lunge him, he’s 17.3 and really green/unbalanced. He fell over the last time we did it so avoid it now but happily canters around the field. He is all legs, very very green

 

[ycbm]

Sorry my post is meant to say purchased last year!!

Then the horse needs a performance workup I'm afraid. I might start with an ulcer scope but ulcers are usually secondary to pain elsewhere.
.

 

[Sossigpoker]

Sounds like a pain reaction. Could be the saddle or could be a medical issue.
Does he canter on the lunge happily?

 

[Na1998]

Then the horse needs a performance workup I'm afraid. I might start with an ulcer scope but ulcers are usually secondary to pain elsewhere.
.

I had a vet out 3 weeks ago, all ok

 

[Sossigpoker]

I don’t lunge him, he’s 17.3 and really green/unbalanced. He fell over the last time we did it so avoid it now but happily canters around the field. He is all legs, very very green

You definitely want the vet involved then.
I wouldn't waste time and money trying other things, just get the vet out for a loss of performance examination.

 

[BBP]

For my horse this was how he showed he had ulcers. He would trot but ask him to canter and his ears would pin and he would grind to a halt. Had him scope and he had small ulcers near pylorus. Took 3 months of treatment with omeprazole and sucralfate to clear them, then the ears came forwards again. As YCBM said, may be secondary to pain, my horse we had already identified a sacroiliac injury caused by a fall in the field. It took treating both to make him happy again.

 

[Na1998]

You definitely want the vet involved then.
I wouldn't waste time and money trying other things, just get the vet out for a loss of performance examination.

I’ve had the vet see him a few weeks ago, they said he was all ok and had all his legs scanned

 

[Na1998]

For my horse this was how he showed he had ulcers. He would trot but ask him to canter and his ears would pin and he would grind to a halt. Had him scope and he had small ulcers near pylorus. Took 3 months of treatment with omeprazole and sucralfate to clear them, then the ears came forwards again. As YCBM said, may be secondary to pain, my horse we had already identified a sacroiliac injury caused by a fall in the field. It took treating both to make him happy again.

That’s exactly what he is doing, he had a stifle injury which has since healed fine but the box rest and bute caused the ulcers I believe. I have some omeprazole and sulcrafate on the way which is what he was treated with last year

 

[ycbm]

I had a vet out 3 weeks ago, all ok

Did they scope for ulcers or x ray for kissing spines?

 

[Na1998]

Did they scope for ulcers or x ray for kissing spines?

He doesn’t have kissing spine I had his back xrayed last year and he hasn’t done much since. Didn’t bother with the scope but going to put him on a course of omeprazole anyway as he has had ulcers in the past. When I run my hands across his back he doesn’t react, also have a back lady coke and treat him every 8 weeks and no tenderness throughout the back

 

[AmyMay]

He doesn’t have kissing spine I had his back xrayed last year and he hasn’t done much since. Didn’t bother with the scope but going to put him on a course of omeprazole anyway as he has had ulcers in the past

So you’ve got a good starting point with possible ulcers and a new saddle.

 

[Na1998]

So you’ve got a good starting point with possible ulcers and a new saddle.

Should have mentioned he has become very girthy, pawing the ground and ears back when putting the saddle on and doing the girth up

 

[Jenko109]

Something isnt sitting right with this post..