Hind toe drag

[NikKnock]

Hi there, new to the forum, fairly new little horse (owned 4 months), who although 8½ is pretty green, and wasn't backed until 5, been on loan a year before I got him. He's a compact, chunky thoroughbred just 15.2hh, he rides a little bit like a pony and has a low daisy-cutting stride, he needs work in his top line and drive from behind, he clips the toes of his hand hooves in trot, I hear it when trotting on roads, not always, usually after time off when building fitness or if being lazy or if tired at end if long hack, I try to get after him and can stop it and normally have most success when he's pulling for home. Should I obsess about this? A friend told me her thoroughbred did it and she didn't sweat it. Don't know. Any advice or views welcome please.

 

[exracehorse]

If the horse is unfit. Lazy. Not working over the back etc etc. Then yes .. they can toe drag. Pole work can help. I did however have a TB who toe dragged in trot. I could hear it on road. It was bone spavins in the hocks. And he was 7. The sand used to fly up when he was in the school.

 

[sbloom]

Has a good bodyworker who assesses not just discomfort but posture and movement/compensation patterns had a good look at him? Remember that driving from behind requires the front end to be unrestricted and for the horse to know how, and be able, to lift the thoracic sling, which is the basis of good posture helping to avoid compensations.

 

[NikKnock]

If the horse is unfit. Lazy. Not working over the back etc etc. Then yes .. they can toe drag. Pole work can help. I did however have a TB who toe dragged in trot. I could hear it on road. It was bone spavins in the hocks. And he was 7. The sand used to fly up when he was in the school.

Thank you, I'll hope for unfitness and not working hard at the mo, especially as I know it has gone away with work, but I'll also bear in mind bone spavins.

 

[NikKnock]

Has a good bodyworker who assesses not just discomfort but posture and movement/compensation patterns had a good look at him? Remember that driving from behind requires the front end to be unrestricted and for the horse to know how, and be able, to lift the thoracic sling, which is the basis of good posture helping to avoid compensations.

That's really useful thank you. Is a bidyeorker different to a horse physio? Had physio a couple of times recently to address spasm in back from previous saddle putting too much pressure just behind shoulder and for what we think was a pull on nearside hind slipping away behind him going through sloping gateway fast. He has new saddle which seems to allow him to swing through back much better.

 

[sbloom]

A physio is one type of bodyworker. Was the horse toe dragging at the time? Was it mentioned? I would say go back to them as they know the horse, but some just don't quite look at the big picture, the posture, and work out why there are compensations going on, so you may need a second opinion (and to hunt out someone who DOES work that way).

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Hi there, new to the forum, fairly new little horse (owned 4 months), who although 8½ is pretty green, and wasn't backed until 5, been on loan a year before I got him. He's a compact, chunky thoroughbred just 15.2hh, he rides a little bit like a pony and has a low daisy-cutting stride, he needs work in his top line and drive from behind, he clips the toes of his hand hooves in trot, I hear it when trotting on roads, not always, usually after time off when building fitness or if being lazy or if tired at end if long hack, I try to get after him and can stop it and normally have most success when he's pulling for home. Should I obsess about this? A friend told me her thoroughbred did it and she didn't sweat it. Don't know. Any advice or views welcome please.

Some of them are lazy, some green, some old some unfit. My mare does it when she is being lazy and not working from behind. You could do some ground poles, also speak to farrier to roll her toes, practice a few transitions too walk to trot down to walk halt etc, get her working from behind. Also speak to the vet get them to asses, maybe a chiro if the vet says ok. Your not alone in this many do it, mine drags them specially in the school, she shuffles.

 

[NikKnock]

A physio is one type of bodyworker. Was the horse toe dragging at the time? Was it mentioned? I would say go back to them as they know the horse, but some just don't quite look at the big picture, the posture, and work out why there are compensations going on, so you may need a second opinion (and to hunt out someone who DOES work that way).

I didn't mention it unfortunately, she's looked at him trotting up and was happy but it was in a school therefore the hoof sound didn't remind me. I will mention to her to see if she can overview if not ill find someone who'll do what you suggest. Thanks

 

[NikKnock]

Some of them are lazy, some green, some old some unfit. My mare does it when she is being lazy and not working from behind. You could do some ground poles, also speak to farrier to roll her toes, practice a few transitions too walk to trot down to walk halt etc, get her working from behind. Also speak to the vet get them to asses, maybe a chiro if the vet says ok. Your not alone in this many do it, mine drags them specially in the school, she shuffles.

Thanks, ill bear in mind sell your suggestions. many people have suggested poles, and raised poles too, I will get on and set some up. Transitions thank you. Farrier yes next week will mention it re rolled toes. Thanks again.