Hopping back legs in downward transition - help?

[Wizbang]

Morning all,

My Arab gelding is 6. When I bought him 2 years ago he had muscle wastage along his back (even though unbacked) I pointed it out to my vet who said that with work in time it would correct itself. I backed and broke him gently last year and he spent alot of time enjoying hacking in walk and trot and small bursts of canter. The beginning of this year when bringing him back into work he was showing immense resistance to having the saddle put on and very spooky when ridden out, also trying to canter off instead of trot with his head in the air - so I called the physio who gave him a course of h wave to relax his back muscles. I then had his teeth done and a new saddle fitted. I had a friend round to see him on Sunday to show her what he is doing - running instead of trotting and wanting to canter instead of trot (a very polo ponyish canter with head in the air) and she pointed out that on a downward transition he was hopping with his back legs before abruptely coming down the transition. She suggested spavin (note there is no lameness or swelling of the hocks) I must say this hopping has happened before with him and I had not put much attention on it due to him still being a baby, but does anyone have any ideas? Has anyone had a horse that hops behind with the back legs on a downward transition - causing other problems.

I have called my wonderful vet who will be out for a thorough inspection on Wednesday but am keen to know if anyone has any experience of this. It is evident now that the problem in the hind legs has caused the muscle wastage in the back also and is responsible for his way of going forward - obviously this has got worse over the last year - he did alot of growing in his first year with me also and 2 of the foals from the same stallion had to have operations for OCD (!!!!!) any ideas anyone?

Sarah x

 

[Wagtail]

I would get the vet out to do xrays. As OCD is in his lines I would check his hocks and stifles for that. However, his hopping in canter and other back issues with the saddle etc could indicate a problem in the sacroilliac area or even kissing spine. I don't think there is much point getting the physio out at this stage as your horse really needs xrays I feel.

 

[Wizbang]

Thanks Wagtail ... I'm not bothering with the physio this time - just crack on with my vet. (lucky he is insured) I have my own h wave machine and know that his back muscles are currently soft and supple - the problem is evidently stemming from somewhere else ... yes I'm sure it will result in a load of x rays .. ironcially I had his half sister (same stallion again) 2 years back and her back went very tight after a year of riding at the age of approx 5 - the physio suspected kissing spine and we had her x rayed and they found nothing .. ironic we never looked at her hocks at the time . No doubt I will find out soon - my vet is very good (thank god!)

Sarah x

 

[scarymare]

Sounds like OCD to me. My (then) 4 year old did exactly what you describe except it was very very mild. Only occurred in downwards canter trot transition. Before I could investigate (instructor and I both thought OCD) the snows came and he was out in the field pretty much immobile for 3 months due to depth of snow and just stood around the haylage. Result was he was sound when he came back to work. I don't think OCD is the doom and gloom it once used to be. Hope it goes well with your vet. Good luck

 

[Wizbang]

Yes thanks Scarey Mare ... my horses have little turn out over the winter .. so that kinda makes sense too !!! Hopefully an op and he'll be back to his happy self

Sarah x