help! cant trot uphill breaks 2 canter, and squares off toe

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ewarren

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hi guys im after some good advise.......
My boy is 7 just a happy hacker, we do a bit of sj and trec and teenager takes him to play at ponyclub.
He has always been fantastic at adapting to his rider so with me he has always had a bit of sparkle or mo-jo, but its gone!!!

It started of with him starting to drag his hind toe ever so slightly i had 2 back people out both said different. and no real change i just put it down to his fitness and beeing bit lazy.
BUt i have incressed his excercise and hes geting worse he is so fed up wants to drop his head and plod along wont come down on bit and collect himself.
When i trot uphill he breaks to canter for 2 strides and really is finding it hard work.
I feel so sad today for him - gonna get vet out.
Has any1 any ideas what it might be ??????
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as you have increased his exercise have you upped his grub? have you discussed this with your farrier? you could take his front breakover point back a little and roll the toes on hinds? have you done any bloods? virus or anaemia? lameness diagnosis re hocks? worth getting vet for full mot incl bloods, and look at his quality of grazing and bucket food in regard to work req.
 
If you are getting the vet out I would be inclined to ask them to take a look at hocks and back. Both of which can mean that they drag the toe. Mine started struggling with hill work when his kissing spine developed. A simple flexion test can be used to look at the hocks but you would need xrays to take a look at the back.
The way you say he canters to avoid trotting up a hill sounds like he is trying to alleviate something by not working properly.
Fingers crossed it is just something very minor for you.
 
My horse did exactly this and it was found that he had spavin and tears in the ligament in his back. I think the spavin was causing him not to use his hind legs properly and it was easier for him to try and canter up hills. Sorry that doesn't sound very positive!!
 
I would think hock as well. Flexion test might not show anything - would probably need a full work up.

There could be secondary back pain related to the hock - sometimes you have to eliminate the back pain to actually see the lameness as often the horse has adapted its gait and holds itself into position, hence the back pain.
 
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as you have increased his exercise have you upped his grub? have you discussed this with your farrier?

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I second looking at his feet as well as other things suggested. Is he out at grass? Is he on a high sugar diet? Could be dietry soreness in feet??? Just another suggestion to try take him off grass or reduce and soak hay for a few days/a week and see if that helps. If it does then imo you need to look at his diet/sugar intake as it may be too much for him.
 
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