Horse lame only when sitting trot

[rosielita]

My horse is lame when I ride him in sitting trot. Perfectly fine in a rising trot. It is the left front leg as he bobs his head clearly when that leg is put down. Horse has been checked by 3 vets who have performed a full lameness exam. He is sound on a straight line and in the lunge og both hard and soft surface. Done x-rays and ultrasound without any findings. It appeared suddenly and has not improved even though he now have had a month rest. I have two theories and would love to get feedback if anyone has experienced something similar: 1) He is bridle lame. But I don't understand why it would appear so suddenly if that is the case. 2) The saddle doesn't fit. Haven't checked my saddle in 8 months and he has gained some weight and muscles so I think the saddle is too tight. I have made an appointment for the saddle fitter to come out. But I don't understand why the lameness only shows in a sitting trot. If the lameness is caused by a saddle who is too tight I would think the lameness showed up in a rising trot as well?

 

[stangs]

You may not have a particularly balanced seat in the sitting trot, so are exasperating any issue with the saddle when you do it? What happens if you sit the trot bareback?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I think this is what is often called 'bridle lame' in other words ' a reaction to the rider'. I suggest speaking to your instructor.

 

[ycbm]

Is he the same in sitting trot on a long rein as he is in sitting trot on a contact?

I have to fight a very controlling right hand and I find it pretty easy to make any horse hop (bridle lame) if I am trying to collect it up, especially in sitting trot. I could have shown you a good example this morning before I slapped myself and sorted it

 

[rosielita]

You may not have a particularly balanced seat in the sitting trot, so are exasperating any issue with the saddle when you do it? What happens if you sit the trot bareback?

My seat could absolutely be better. I don't flop around in the saddle, but if I lose my balance I catch myself trying to regain that balance by holding on to the reins. Yell at myself every time I do it though. Have not tried riding him bareback yet!

I think this is what is often called 'bridle lame' in other words ' a reaction to the rider'. I suggest speaking to your instructor.

Yep, my trainer and I are on it. But my trainer is not sure if he really is bridle lame or if it's something else causing this. So she is hesitant to continue our lessons even though he has been checked clear by 3 vets..

Is he the same in sitting trot on a long rein as he is in sitting trot on a contact?

I have to fight a very controlling right hand and I find it pretty easy to make any horse hop (bridle lame) if I am trying to collect it up, especially in sitting trot. I could have shown you a good example this morning before I slapped myself and sorted it

Yes I feel like it becomes worse the more I try to collect. Not lame if I ride him round on long reins. The more he leans on the bit the worse he gets. I know my hands get to hard on the reins when I try to rebalance myself and I absolutely want to slap myself every time I do it, but it is so hard

 

[LadyGascoyne]

What is he like when someone else rides him? Can you ask someone to hop on and then you can watch from the ground?

 

[splashgirl45]

is he sound when you rise on both diagonals...if i think a horse isnt right i do sitting trot to establish if they are lame and which leg and if yours is lame at sitting trot but not when trotted up it could well be the saddle pinching him

 

[rosielita]

What is he like when someone else rides him? Can you ask someone to hop on and then you can watch from the ground?

Unfortunately I don't have anyone to ride him

is he sound when you rise on both diagonals...if i think a horse isnt right i do sitting trot to establish if they are lame and which leg and if yours is lame at sitting trot but not when trotted up it could well be the saddle pinching him

Yes he is sound when I ride on both diagonals. He is definitely lame on left front when I do sitting trot. Having the saddle fitter out in a couple of weeks so hoping it's as easy as the saddle is pinching

 

[ycbm]

My seat could absolutely be better. I don't flop around in the saddle, but if I lose my balance I catch myself trying to regain that balance by holding on to the reins. Yell at myself every time I do it though. Have not tried riding him bareback yet!


Yep, my trainer and I are on it. But my trainer is not sure if he really is bridle lame or if it's something else causing this. So she is hesitant to continue our lessons even though he has been checked clear by 3 vets..


Yes I feel like it becomes worse the more I try to collect. Not lame if I ride him round on long reins. The more he leans on the bit the worse he gets. I know my hands get to hard on the reins when I try to rebalance myself and I absolutely want to slap myself every time I do it, but it is so hard

If he's not lame on a long rein or in rising trot on a contact, then this is very likely to be you. I sympathise. The other possibility I would consider is a neck issue. I might ask a physio or get some x rays, assuming that hasn't already been done.
.

 

[rosielita]

If he's not lame on a long rein or in rising trot on a contact, then this is very likely to be you. I sympathise. The other possibility I would consider is a neck issue. I might ask a physio or get some x rays, assuming that hasn't already been done.
.

Neck x rays has been done, they are clear. If it's me or the saddle it's something I can live with, since that I can change

 

[ycbm]

That's really good news, have you got a good trainer on board? One of mine wouldn't notice if I was riding side saddle if the horse was moving ok, the other knows if I've lifted my left seatbone a millimetre. You need the second one!
.

 

[sbloom]

I would also recommend looking at rider conditioning programmes, it will enhance what a good trainer can do (and endorse ycbm's comment about the right kind of trainer, many don't really work on the rider). I am currently suggesting these three to my customers, there will be others, and my recommendations may change, but worth looking at:

Rider asymmetries/conditioning/pain:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/507725203764342 (assessment with David later today as it happens!)
https://www.facebook.com/activateyourseat
https://www.facebook.com/RefinedRiding (I had an assessment last week and found it very useful)

I have no personal experience with Activate Your Seat but it seems very well regarded and I intend to meet up with Maeve in Scotland at some point. All three have online/remote offerings.

 

[LadyGascoyne]

I have just started yoga and dressage with Mim.

I’ve had two sessions on the ground and our first dressage is this week.

My trainer is riding Mim at first and working with me to get me to understand my straightness, balance and breathing a bit better.

I’d recommend you look into that sort of support. It’s not the sort of yoga you see in American tv shows with lots of meditation and chanting - it’s very focussed on the physical strengthening and stability that I need to be able to ride straighter and be more effective on the horse. I’ve really enjoyed it so far.

But definitely, definitely get your trainer to pop on the horse first because if it is lame with them too, then you know there is an issue.