Horse dragging hind feet.

[Loki.piper]

PLEASE READ ALL!
Looking for some advice or anybody that has had a similar experience.
For some background I bought this horse 2 months ago and he passed a 5 stage vetting. He’s 9 years old and previously showjumped up to 1m. I didn’t notice anything wrong in the viewing. The vet who examined him said he was slightly lame on the left hind but maybe just needed new shoes. He got new shoes on and was then sound according to the vet.
Fast forward to my first time riding him at home, I kept noticing him tripping with his back end. After reviewing video footage it appeared he was catching his hoof on the arena surface, almost like he wasn’t lifting his foot high enough. It concerned me but I put it down to him not being used to the different surface, and being weak behind. I worked with him to build some hind muscle and 6 weeks later I was told was working by my physio, but the tripping/dragging was still happening, though granted not as much as when he first came back. I also noticed once or twice on video that his front leg seemed to buckle out from under him. And I’ve attached a picture from last Sunday of what happens when he does catch his hind on the surface.
It’s becoming clear to me that this isn’t just a bad habit/laziness which is what I was hoping (in hindsight I was burying my head in the sand because I didn’t want him to not be ok) and I’ve organised for a vet to come and do some investigations, but before he comes up I wanted to see if anyone has experienced anything similar or has any idea what it could be. Am I going to be left with a horse that I can’t ride? I’m really assuming the worst here.
It should also be noted that after buying him I discovered he had been in an accident when he was younger where he broke his jaw, and his jaw is now lob sided after the surgery, I was told by his dentist it doesn’t affect him but I’m concerned whatever accident this was that it’s done some kind of long term damage to his hind.
Thank you for any input. All advice or discussion appreciated.

 

[milliepops]

I think you've done the right thing by getting the vet involved. I hope that they can give you some clear answers.

Tripping and stumbling/toe dragging could be caused by a few things but with your horse's history and the accident that caused the broken jaw i would be suspicious of an old neck injury causing neurological symptoms.
I'm really sorry if it is something like that, unfortunately i have 2 horses with neck injuries so it's something that is kind of uppermost in my mind when considering these sorts of symptoms. how long do you have to wait for the vet appointment?

 

[Loki.piper]

I think you've done the right thing by getting the vet involved. I hope that they can give you some clear answers.

Tripping and stumbling/toe dragging could be caused by a few things but with your horse's history and the accident that caused the broken jaw i would be suspicious of an old neck injury causing neurological symptoms.
I'm really sorry if it is something like that, unfortunately i have 2 horses with neck injuries so it's something that is kind of uppermost in my mind when considering these sorts of symptoms. how long do you have to wait for the vet appointment?

He’s off this week so earliest I could get him is Tuesday coming. I also wondered if it could be neurological but my gut is saying it’s something physical. He’s a very keen jumper and would have jumped anything but from last Friday is completely unwilling to even go near anything, refusing even the smallest vertical and super sticky over anything he did jump at the start of the session, which is making me think he’s in actual pain now.

 

[milliepops]

not too long to wait then, though it probably feels like forever. if something has changed suddenly then I suppose it's definitely possible that there's some kind of acute injury. it was the fact that you noticed the tripping right at the start that made me think of a more long term grumbly thing.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I would suspect hock or fetlock issues that could be sorted by medicating the joints. Either which way your vet should be able to help pin point what is going on and where to go from there.

 

[Loki.piper]

not too long to wait then, though it probably feels like forever. if something has changed suddenly then I suppose it's definitely possible that there's some kind of acute injury. it was the fact that you noticed the tripping right at the start that made me think of a more long term grumbly thing.

certainly feels like an eternity, but this is the best equine vet in the area so if I have to wait so be it.
I know what you mean but I’m wondering if the increased workload has aggravated whatever issue is there and that’s why it’s now causing problems. He wasn’t in much work when I got him. I wondered about ligament or nerve damage.

 

[xxKatxx]

Just posting my experience of toe dragging/lameness, which hasn’t been entirely a disaster - mine was diagnosed with cruciate ligament damage, 3 months box rest and it mostly improved though never entirely disappeared. He had a few years of low level dressage, then was eventually diagnosed with suspensory damage, which may have been there all along, but there’s no way to know! He’s now a happy hacker

 

[xxKatxx]

Meant to add, hope your vet visit goes well - it’s definitely worth waiting for a really good lameness vet for this kind of issue!

 

[Loki.piper]

Just posting my experience of toe dragging/lameness, which hasn’t been entirely a disaster - mine was diagnosed with cruciate ligament damage, 3 months box rest and it mostly improved though never entirely disappeared. He had a few years of low level dressage, then was eventually diagnosed with suspensory damage, which may have been there all along, but there’s no way to know! He’s now a happy hacker

Thank you this is really helpful! I feel like this is the most likely situation and I’ve prepared myself for the possibility of him ending up as a happy hacker.

 

[TheMule]

Neurological, hocks or hind PSD most likely. A good vet should be able to pinpoint it for you. Good luck

 

[Sprogladite01]

My boy dragged his toes in the back - he has just had surgery for bilateral PSD. We are walking in hand now and looks much better in the back but now lame in front horses! Good luck x

 

[Novicegreenie]

PLEASE READ ALL!
Looking for some advice or anybody that has had a similar experience.
For some background I bought this horse 2 months ago and he passed a 5 stage vetting. He’s 9 years old and previously showjumped up to 1m. I didn’t notice anything wrong in the viewing. The vet who examined him said he was slightly lame on the left hind but maybe just needed new shoes. He got new shoes on and was then sound according to the vet.
Fast forward to my first time riding him at home, I kept noticing him tripping with his back end. After reviewing video footage it appeared he was catching his hoof on the arena surface, almost like he wasn’t lifting his foot high enough. It concerned me but I put it down to him not being used to the different surface, and being weak behind. I worked with him to build some hind muscle and 6 weeks later I was told was working by my physio, but the tripping/dragging was still happening, though granted not as much as when he first came back. I also noticed once or twice on video that his front leg seemed to buckle out from under him. And I’ve attached a picture from last Sunday of what happens when he does catch his hind on the surface.
It’s becoming clear to me that this isn’t just a bad habit/laziness which is what I was hoping (in hindsight I was burying my head in the sand because I didn’t want him to not be ok) and I’ve organised for a vet to come and do some investigations, but before he comes up I wanted to see if anyone has experienced anything similar or has any idea what it could be. Am I going to be left with a horse that I can’t ride? I’m really assuming the worst here.
It should also be noted that after buying him I discovered he had been in an accident when he was younger where he broke his jaw, and his jaw is now lob sided after the surgery, I was told by his dentist it doesn’t affect him but I’m concerned whatever accident this was that it’s done some kind of long term damage to his hind.
Thank you for any input. All advice or discussion appreciated.
View attachment 78392

This is EXACTLY what my horse does and my vet keeps saying stifles but I suspect it is something else. I hope you see this message and wouldn’t mind telling me the outcome of what happened with your horse. I’m so desperate.