horse not jumping well

[L&M]

My horse is normally a 100% reliable jumper - rocket launches into all hunt jumps confidently and cleanly. We usually go up front and follow a good lead, and have never had any problems.
3 weeks ago I was asked to 'nanny' at the childrens meet, which meant going at the back. Therefore when we did get to the jumps the approach was very churned up and he didn't jump well then. At the last 2 meets he has been very sticky, and has even stopped at a couple of simple fences, which is totally out of character. The ground has been very wet and slippy so wondered if he has lost a bit of confidence? I am now hesitant to go up front in case he does throw in a stop as would hate to hold the field up.
He did have back/teeth/saddle checked in the Spring with nothing unusual, but popped him over some SJ's today and did notice he was throwing his head up on approach which is not his usual way of going.
Any ideas?
Thanks

 

[cptrayes]

You might try some hock flexion tests on him. This kind of stickiness in a previously reliable jumper is often the first sign of hock spavin. Is he any more stiff/reluctant than he used to be to walk downhill? That's another early sign, as is moving the hind foot inwards underneath the body as he puts it down, and squaring off the hind toes. I've had two of them, it can be managed, especially in a hunter who isn't expected to do perfect circles and is allowed to go out on Bute.

 

[Simsar]

Also check the back again.

 

[L&M]

I suspected thats what you would all say - just being tight trying to avoid a vets bill the week before Xmas!
Re cptrayes - he seems fine down hill and is grazed on a hill side and shows no sign of difficulty up or down....
Interestingly enough though, I had him on cortaflex as he is 13 and had a heavy sj career before we bought him, but have recently changed to a cheaper, and possibly not so effective, joint supplement.
Thanks

 

[cptrayes]

My two were fine downhill too. My friend's wasn't and that was the first sign. For mine, the first sign was that a horse who never ever refused eventing suddenly stopped four times and was eliminated, two weeks after his last perfect clear. He also lived on a hillside. It took two years but he is now sound again on flexions, though I sent him down to the flat to a quieter life!

Flexion tests won't cost you, and if he fails them there isn't much point paying vets bills for a month or two either - the disease is treated by keeping them in work and seeing what happens over time. The cure is that they fuse shut, and work helps that happen.

I hope you get an easy, and cheap, answer!

 

[L&M]

Thanks for your encouraging reply - he is a lovely fellow, and if it is pain related, obviously need to get to the bottom of it.
It would be interesting if we did a 'poll' on here how many of the 'older' hunters are hunted on bute?
Will speak to vet on Monday....

 

[hunteress]

Hi sidney, I hunt twice a week my boy jumps everything then one day he stopped he was worse in deep going even though I am also up front so ground 9 times out of 10 is not churned up. I put him on flexi-joint at first and this helped a lot although hock spavin is different in each case . He has always been on topspec balancer through hunting season so this year ive changed to the senior topspec this season with the joint suppliment in it ive aquired a new horse as well now he's 12 (other horse 9) and he has just started this silly stopping so he's going to get he same. both my horses dont like walking downhill !! they are both very fit cobs. You only realy have to use bute be guided by your vet while the spavin is forming also I have my boys saddles checked before season starts middle and end as they do change shape and they have a physio every 2 months I know its expensive but they deserve the best when they give you all that happiness across good country, good luck let us know how you get on !!

 

[L&M]

Thanks hunteress - sounds very similiar! I have decided to put him back on cortaflex, and with the ground frozen as it is, will enable him to have few days off whilst it gets back into his system. If we do manage to hunt on Boxing day it will be interesting to see how he goes, as we have hunted that country often and I know he has jumped everything before, so can compare his way of going. After xmas I will get my saddler out to have a look, and as he is also a very good 'back man' too, can give him a good look over.
Will let you know how we get on and thanks for your support!