rforsyth1984
Well-Known Member
My horse has always been very good to pick his feet up - you literally touch the knee of his first front leg and then he will pick them up with out you doing anything as you go round.
Recently, he has got funny about his right hind leg, and over the period of a month he now completely refuses to shift it off the ground.
Yesterday, I spent a good few minutes trying to coax him into picking it up. I eventually got there by pulling the foot backwards instead of forwards (if that makes sense), he then snatched the leg up and reluctantly let me pick his feet out.
It seemed to me that something had 'given', so I tried picking it up again. He was reluctant but picked it up more normally and much quicker.
Now, at 15, I suspected maybe some arthritis? I checked for heat/swelling and could find none. I then lunged him for about 10/15 minutes, on both reins.
Apart from his usual being a bit less balanced on the right rein, there was no major difference, and he didn't show any signs of lameness or shortened stride.
Any ideas? Anyone experienced this before? Only difference in routine he has had is that he lives out a few nights a week in the summer (July - September), but only during warm, dry weather.
Performance normal, took him to Somerford last Monday, and he jumped well and was full of beans.
He's on ultimate balancer, which contains stuff for joints, so I don't have him on any other joint supplement?
Recently, he has got funny about his right hind leg, and over the period of a month he now completely refuses to shift it off the ground.
Yesterday, I spent a good few minutes trying to coax him into picking it up. I eventually got there by pulling the foot backwards instead of forwards (if that makes sense), he then snatched the leg up and reluctantly let me pick his feet out.
It seemed to me that something had 'given', so I tried picking it up again. He was reluctant but picked it up more normally and much quicker.
Now, at 15, I suspected maybe some arthritis? I checked for heat/swelling and could find none. I then lunged him for about 10/15 minutes, on both reins.
Apart from his usual being a bit less balanced on the right rein, there was no major difference, and he didn't show any signs of lameness or shortened stride.
Any ideas? Anyone experienced this before? Only difference in routine he has had is that he lives out a few nights a week in the summer (July - September), but only during warm, dry weather.
Performance normal, took him to Somerford last Monday, and he jumped well and was full of beans.
He's on ultimate balancer, which contains stuff for joints, so I don't have him on any other joint supplement?