Horse Stumbling?

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ilovehorses<3

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I have an 8 year old mare who recently I have noticed keeps on stumbling whilst I ride her, it doesn't happen in walk or canter just in trot, and it happens frequently but not lots, I was just wondering why she is stumbling quite often?
 
Is she stumbling up front or behind?

If it's mainly confined to when you ride and it's up front, first port of call would be to check the fit of your saddle. Pinching over the withers can cause stumbling. Other possible options (especially if she does it on the lunge or loose too) could include foot balance issues or a heart murmur.

Stumbling behind, again, foot balance, possible back/sacroiliac/pelvic pain or misalignment.

Is it worse in the school or out hacking?

To be honest, it could be anything from lack of balance/natural clumsiness to a more serious medical issue. The above are just guesses really. Maybe you could try uploading a video to see if anyone can pinpoint the problem with a visual guide to go on. It's also well worth asking an experienced friend to have a look and, if you're concerned, speak to your vet and farrier.
 
don't want to worry you but could be foot related possibly lami. My mare was stumbling she is still on box rest for laminitis

get it checked out
 
Watch your mare moving on a flat concrete or tarmac surface very carefully. Take a video if you have to and watch it in slow motion. If she is landing with her toe first, then she has issues with her feet that you need someone to help you sort out. A toe first landing will be causing problems with the tendons inside her feet, and if left can turn into "navicular syndrome". She may simply have thrush in the back half of her frog aking her not want to put her heel to the floor, or just need a bit more schooling to carry herself properly, or it may be something more serious, but you do need to work out why she is tripping before it causes you both any damage.
 
When my horse was stumbling in trot it was because her saddle was tight and not allowing free shoulder movement, but I guess it could be a lot of things!
 
Another thought, as she is quite young, it could just be that she is on her forehand. My horse will trip if I allow him to go along on his forehand, or it could be a concentration thing. Either way, this will take quite a lot of training and consistency on your part to get the horse 'up' and used to a better way of working.

On the plus side, I have had to learn to really ride and now can get him moving really nicely - and he doesn't trip as long as I have him using his back and moving forward.
 
Wouldn't expect it to be a problem for a youngster but be aware that stumbling - especially going downhill or over uneven ground - can be a sign of bi-lateral front foot problems. Bi-lateral means the same pain in both front feet so you don't see any lameness at all until you nerve block one or other foot.
 
Poorly fitting saddles or poor riding can cause stumbling. Horses that travel with their heads up and backs hollowed may be more likely to stumble.
 
Her toes could be too long as a previous poster said. It may be that her toes need cutting back gradually (and not in one sitting) and then the farrier can give her a rolled toe to encourage the breakover point of the foot to be slightly quicker.
 
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