Horse dragging hind when ridden... what could this be?

[sjdress]

Older horse drags and squares off a hind hoof when ridden. Currently having a break and there appears to be no squaring off of the hoof. What could this possibly be? Could the rider be crooked and causing this or if arthritic would they do it less when not having to work?

 

[tatty_v]

When my boy started doing this it turned out to be hock OA. Has all but stopped with steroid injections, you can tell when they wear off (currently 9-12 months) as he starts again.

 

[sjdress]

When my boy started doing this it turned out to be hock OA. Has all but stopped with steroid injections, you can tell when they wear off (currently 9-12 months) as he starts again.

this was my thinking, but I wondered why she wouldn’t appear to wear it down when out in the field on a break from ridden work?

 

[tatty_v]

this was my thinking, but I wondered why she wouldn’t appear to wear it down when out in the field on a break from ridden work?

I’m not 100% sure myself but perhaps things like a softer surface, not having to carry the weight of a rider and tack etc?

 

[Birker2020]

Bone spavin (arthritis). But it can also be caused by sacroilliac issues.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I'd ask the vet to have a look; my hunch would be sacro-iliac problems and/or arthritic changes somewhere in the hind legs.

Vet first, then perhaps consider physio/chiropractic and possible supplements to target the issue.

 

[DressageCob]

It could be any one of a number of things. Arthritis, bone spavin, sacroiliac problems, hips/pelvis. I used to groom a polo pony who dragged a hind due to hind foot navicular (less common).

 

[fairyclare]

A gut problem causing secondary issues with the back, causing PSD and SIJ inflammation caused mine to square out the hind feet, more so the right because of the gut problem.

 

[Birker2020]

Mine used to be so bad before joint medication for her spavin that she used to drag her hind toes on concrete and sparks used to fly off her shoes.

 

[meleeka]

Mine did it when he had a sore back due to a badly fitting saddle (when I bought him he failed vetting). He doesn’t do it at all now.

 

[AUB]

Basically it can be anything from the tail to the nose that makes the horse drag a toe.

When mine did it it was the straight sesamoidean ligament. Took time but healed fine.