HELP!! Happens only once when I jump!

Brocknroll

Brocknroll

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Hi all!

Ive had my horse for over 10 years, he has dejenerative joint disease, but can still be jumped. Although he is a little bit rusty, he still clears 3ft 3 courses with ease.

Untill recently he's been ok with jumping, maybe getting a little too close, or taking off too far, but we're working on that and its improving greatly!
The last two times I have schooled him over jumps, average of 2ft 9 (otherwise he takes the pee and doesnt jump - naughty boy!) he has stopped half way over the jump.
I have included a picture so you can see what i mean.
Now this jump he was set up nicely, took off very well, in fact he didnt take off too far or get too close!

please help! anyone had this problem? Anyone know how to fix it?

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/418720_10151993996260461_1287459606_n.jpg
 
my first thought would be pain somewhere sorry. At a guess the DJD has erm...degenerated beyond the point where jumping is comfortable. Have you had standard, saddle, back, teeth checked? Could easily be any of those too.
 
Had all those checked, very well looked after boy, he was operated on 6 years ago, and has the all clear now, and will clear jumps nicely afterwards.. just once, on the odd day of jumping??
I check him thoroughly after cool down, for any heat in any joints, including his back and hips. maybe it could be a habit forming?
 
I would probably err on the side of caution too. If he has a joint condition then this might exacerbate it further and end up with real issues! Is he not enjoying it? Even if nothing seems to be obviously causing pain, a reaction to jumping like this one would indicate to me that he really isn't happy about doing it, sorry :/
 
I completely understand, if it was hurting him i would stop then and there, but he loves to jump and i would never force him over a jump!
He has the all clear from DJD. As I said, he was operated at Newmarket over 6 years ago, nothing has come back and has been given the all clear, and I always ask the vets to double check when they come to the yard. (even if its not just for Brock).

this is a picture from earlier this week. (this was after he did the same thing)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190053_10150433630155461_8016612_n.jpg
 
Brocknroll said:
I completely understand, if it was hurting him i would stop then and there, but he loves to jump and i would never force him over a jump!
He has the all clear from DJD. As I said, he was operated at Newmarket over 6 years ago, nothing has come back and has been given the all clear, and I always ask the vets to double check when they come to the yard. (even if its not just for Brock).

this is a picture from earlier this week. (this was after he did the same thing)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/190053_10150433630155461_8016612_n.jpg
Click to expand...



Apologies - https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/391178_4373443895559_932670162_n.jpg
 
what op did he have to sort out DJD and where was it identified?

stopping half way over a jump like that would make me think his feet hurt and he is reluctant to land on them.

When did the vets last check him and how?

My lad had v subtle DJD in his front feet.. he wasn't lame however he did start taking more short ones into a fences particularly on harder ground, it was intermittent though and on some occasions he was jumping the best he ever had. I am convinced this was an early sign of problems although he was still sound and hunting at this point. He loves to jump too .. it doesn't mean that at his current age (19) and the way his joints are currently that it is any good for him.

I really do think you should get a full work up from your vet.
 
off rear hock, they basically described it as arthritis, where upon the removed the "damaged" cartilage and left the bone to grind to make more, which has since been examined and shows no signs on decomposition. the other hock was checked, and is still checked frequently, and shows no signs.
 
I have heard off this sort of op in relation to OCD but not DJD so cant be of much help in that respect. I would think front end would be the most likely cause of his current issue in any case.
 
the only way i can describe the feeling is, you take off, youre jumping, the front end lands, and the back end forgets to come up, its almost like, he's forgotten he needs to move his back end, then tries to do it once his front feet are already on the ground.

I have all the vet checks, I am a little over sensitive when it comes to anything to do with pain and him, even the slightest little nag and I call the vet out. He was fully vetted earlier this year, with recent basic checks done, including a bitter to come and confirm that he is in the correct bit.
 
Have you any videos? Is there any possibility the issue is your riding? I don't mean any offence by this but since you are happy you have the health issues under control then looking at yourself is the next thing to do in my opinion.
 
well you've had him 10 years so know him best :). I would just be a bit concerned if he hasn't done this for the previous 10 that he is trying to tell you something, albeit it might be quite subtle.
 
I have just changed my riding style to the mary wanless ride with your mind. It has improve his ground work, and the majority of his jumping, just the odd time, i have a lesson with my trainer tomorrow, I am hoping that she may shed some light on the situation.
 
I would stop jumping too, at least until a cause is found. Then you'll know if he can be helped or not, but a break from jumping would be more beneficial than carrying on at the moment, even if it does only happen occasionally.

Pats for the poor pony x
 
amage said:
Very true but op doesn't seem to agree
Click to expand...

dont think the OP is ever going to agree with our thoughts. I cant see any other explanation other than he doesnt want to because it hurts but she thinks not so........who are we to say otherwise.

OP I dont think anyone is going to come on here and tell you anything other than has already been said :confused:
 
How do you know your horse isnt in pain? How do you know he is still loving his jumping? How will u know when he has had enough? If you can answer these questions honestly then id star
 
my horse did this in the middle of winter absolutely out of the blue, ended up with a smashed pole wing and bent cup and horse stood on three legs as he had banged one hind leg, I could see know reason for it at first, until the farrier came to reshoe him, he had one abcess in one back foot and two in the other :-( no other symptoms, lameness,heat or anything really.
All has been fine since, so I would think something is causing it.
 
Have you done a bute trial? had his hocks xrayed?

Sorry but sounds like he is uncomfortable some where and no longer wants to jump.
 
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