CharlesMax
Well-Known Member
I was wondering if anyone has experienced a horse that trots up totally sound but seems lame when ridden:
This has been an ongoing issue since bringing my horse back into work after a splint issue, over a year ago. The splint popped last summer and caused him irritation so I turned him away for the summer and brought him back into work very slowly from December Jan this year.
He was obviously lame when the splint was active it stopped when it calcified which is when I brought him back into work. I started with walking him for a few weeks but when I introduced trot, he was slightly lame on the same side as before.
After several vet visits and reassurance that this horse is fine, he is STILL intermittently lame when we are doing flatwork. The lameness goes away once he is fully warmed up and working from behind which can take a good 20-30 mins. (sometimes longer as he is rather stubborn!)
I had an instructor observe him the other day and she said I should get the vet over but when he examines the horse he trots up sound - whats the point!? She was also ammused when she noticed the lameness stop when he accepted the bit and softened up more - she didn't have an explanation for this.
I should also mention his balance is not good and he struggles with his flatwork - he is extremely stiff on the 'lame' side. When I bought him 2 years ago he could not go in circles to begin with!
My question is: could it just be a balance issue which sorts itself out when he is working properly and more loose?
I have recently had his back. teeth achecked and the vet checked him recently.
Similar experiences shared would be most welcome. If anything, for peace of mind!
This has been an ongoing issue since bringing my horse back into work after a splint issue, over a year ago. The splint popped last summer and caused him irritation so I turned him away for the summer and brought him back into work very slowly from December Jan this year.
He was obviously lame when the splint was active it stopped when it calcified which is when I brought him back into work. I started with walking him for a few weeks but when I introduced trot, he was slightly lame on the same side as before.
After several vet visits and reassurance that this horse is fine, he is STILL intermittently lame when we are doing flatwork. The lameness goes away once he is fully warmed up and working from behind which can take a good 20-30 mins. (sometimes longer as he is rather stubborn!)
I had an instructor observe him the other day and she said I should get the vet over but when he examines the horse he trots up sound - whats the point!? She was also ammused when she noticed the lameness stop when he accepted the bit and softened up more - she didn't have an explanation for this.
I should also mention his balance is not good and he struggles with his flatwork - he is extremely stiff on the 'lame' side. When I bought him 2 years ago he could not go in circles to begin with!
My question is: could it just be a balance issue which sorts itself out when he is working properly and more loose?
I have recently had his back. teeth achecked and the vet checked him recently.
Similar experiences shared would be most welcome. If anything, for peace of mind!
