Funny Walk- What could this be?

McNally

McNally

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My friends pony is currently on loan to a yard i visit a lot. I said i would keep an eye on him as she really hasnt the time/money or even desire anymore to own a pony.
I notice recently that he's walking strangely- at first i thought it just me but now its quite obvious. Another person has also noticed and backed me up when i mentioned it and got shot back down for not knowing what i was on about and speaking cr**!!!
His front legs (both) are held very near straight as he walks and are pointing out wards.
His hoofs point forward as you would expect but imagine a triangular shape with the ground being the base of the triangle.
He's not lame there is not heat or anything at all in either his feet or legs. It just looks do strange. He still hoolies round the field and is happy enough to be ridden- although he's only a VERY light hack.
Any ideas on what this might be?
 
It could be that his feet are not being kept trimmed properly and causing an inbalance, which will potentially get progressively worse, a photo may help.
 
His feet are regularly trimmed by my own farrier- who i think is very very good, I've never known anyone have problems with him before, not saying its not possible though?

I will try and get a picture although tbh you probably wouldnt notice it overly from a still shot.

I have spoken to the owner and told her about it but she seems quite un-interested, I'm trying to encourage her to visit.
The other lady who backed me up said she suspected laminitus- he's never had it before and shows no other symptoms (not that i know much about it)
She thought his pedal bones may have rotated. He also has a crazy thick coat which is faintly curled looking in places which makes us suspect Cushings- again a condition i know very little about. He's a Welsh x shetland type so would naturally be hairy- even in summer he's never had a thin coat. I've known him for 9 years since he was approx 6 i think.
 
Cushings and laminitis often go together, I would ask your farriers opinion, if he is trimming regularly he may have noticed a change in its feet, he could have rotation of the pedal bones and be walking on the outside to try and avoid the pain, while in the field, if the ground is soft, he will be more comfortable.
 
be positive said:
Cushings and laminitis often go together, I would ask your farriers opinion, if he is trimming regularly he may have noticed a change in its feet, he could have rotation of the pedal bones and be walking on the outside to try and avoid the pain, while in the field, if the ground is soft, he will be more comfortable.
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Agreed
 
McNally, you say, that your farrier is so good. Well, in my opinion if he was very good, he would notice, that the pony's walk is unproper and if you think it's laminitis - he should be first person to find it out. You wouldn't have to ask some strange people from internet, cause he should be person, who gives you solutions at first place.
I'm really sorry, but if I was you, I would change the farrier, if it was laminitis :(

If it's not the laminitis I would call some good equine chiropractor - he/she would have a proffesional look at your pony and would judge the source of weird walk. It could be something with joints, something with bones or even something with spine or shoulders. It's really hard to judge by internet, we didn't see any video of a horse walking, so we can just guess ;)
 
Straight legged walk would say laminitis to me. I had a mare come in lame in summer of 2010, she was kept in overnight and re-shod the following day. She had no lami symptoms at that time i.e. no heat, pulses or pain in feet. Farrier was sure she did not have laminitis.

Within three days, in spite of being on box rest, she had started to rotate.

I believe the Lami Trust have more cases in autumn than in spring when we are all on the look out.
 
Ikarina said:
McNally, you say, that your farrier is so good. Well, in my opinion if he was very good, he would notice, that the pony's walk is unproper and if you think it's laminitis - he should be first person to find it out. You wouldn't have to ask some strange people from internet, cause he should be person, who gives you solutions at first place.
I'm really sorry, but if I was you, I would change the farrier, if it was laminitis :(

If it's not the laminitis I would call some good equine chiropractor - he/she would have a proffesional look at your pony and would judge the source of weird walk. It could be something with joints, something with bones or even something with spine or shoulders. It's really hard to judge by internet, we didn't see any video of a horse walking, so we can just guess ;)
Click to expand...

I dont know if the farrier has noticed I would imagine so, Its just my observation and its nothing to do with me hence the reason i cant do much about it other than ask the loaners and inform the owners- both i have done. I will ask my farrier next time but i'm not about to drop him because someone elses horse is walking funnily- he's always been fantastic for me and they are hard to come by.
For all i know he could have been treating him for something i'm just not being told....basically by this thread i'm just being nosey- thats why i'm asking unknown internet people- If he were mine i'd be asking the vet and other professionals ;-)
No he has never leaned back on his heals that i have seen. I expect i see him once or twice a week-
 
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