Is my new horse lame?

[cdunc09]

Hi everyone. I haven't had my 11 YO TB very long, but i'm thinking he is lame as something is just not right. I haven't ridden him yet due to family issues keeping me busy for the last few months, im waiting to get a saddle fitted, and I know he needs more muscle and conditioning. I haven't had a horse in over 10 years so looking for some experience eyes to give me advice. I will be calling out a vet as soon as I can. He looks very stiff in the hind end and also is dragging his feet at times. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Sorry change of mind on posting.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Sorry OP, I don't mean this to come across as being unkind but he is very much lame behind, more undermuscled than I would expect a 10yo of any breed to be, a bit wormy looking and has a very dull coat, even for winter - it would surprise me if he came up bilaterally lame in front once blocked too. Something is going on here and I think the vet is the right move, and some more hay and maybe some oil after you've looked into what might be up.

 

[AmyMay]

I’d certainly have a chat with a vet. He’s very stuffy and looks really poor.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I agree with asbmo, i think very under muscled so its often disguised the lameness. Vet is the right way to go.
Unlimited hay meantime and some
Micronised linseed in his feed will help with the dull coat

Feed yes feed,, clearly not feet I wouldn’t have referred to it as feet, it is a hoof

 

[Tiddlypom]

I’d get a good horse vet to see him.

He looks lame all round, and he doesn’t look well, either.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Please don't put the micronised linseed in his feet! It will probably do some good in his feed but be aware that it caused a horrible skin reaction in my cob. He really does need to see a vet imho

 

[Barton Bounty]

Please don't put the micronised linseed in his feet! It will probably do some good in his feed but be aware that it caused a horrible skin reaction in my cob. He really does need to see a vet imho

Obviously that was a typo

 

[SEL]

Yes to vet.

How has he been kept over winter?

 

[cdunc09]

Sorry OP, I don't mean this to come across as being unkind but he is very much lame behind, more undermuscled than I would expect a 10yo of any breed to be, a bit wormy looking and has a very dull coat, even for winter - it would surprise me if he came up bilaterally lame in front once blocked too. Something is going on here and I think the vet is the right move, and some more hay and maybe some oil after you've looked into what might be up.

I'll be getting the vet out soon. You're not unkind since I am the one that asked and clearly, I am missing a lot of the signs so I appreciate the help. Its really disheartening to hear that of course, but I will see what the vet says and go from there.

 

[94lunagem]

Yes, I would definitely get him looked at by an equine vet. In the meantime plenty of hay and have an overall look at his diet.

Do you have an experienced person on your yard to give some guidance if you’ve been out of horse ownership for a while? While everyone here will reply with the best of intentions, there is no substitute for having trusted experts/professionals on the ground.

 

[cdunc09]

Yes, I would definitely get him looked at by an equine vet. In the meantime plenty of hay and have an overall look at his diet.

Do you have an experienced person on your yard to give some guidance if you’ve been out of horse ownership for a while? While everyone here will reply with the best of intentions, there is no substitute for having trusted experts/professionals on the ground.

I'm new to the yard, but I will try to ask a few people I've met so far for some help.

 

[AmyMay]

I'm new to the yard, but I will try to ask a few people I've met so far for some help.

What are you feeding and how much turnout does he get?

 

[cdunc09]

What are you feeding and how much turnout does he get?

At the moment, he is just receiving hay (i'll need to check how much they're giving him, but every time i visit him he has plenty there and left over) and no additional feed, but I was looking into starting him on some conditioning feed to help gain weight. At my yard, they are in during the night and out during the day.

 

[misst]

OP I am just wondering if you had him vetted when you got him? My first thought was he looked like an old horse who had not been in work for a long time. I am sorry if that is not what you wanted to hear. If he is not eating all his hay have you had his teeth checked? He really needs to be seen sooner than later.

 

[TheMule]

Impossible to judge his soundness from these videos, he certainly looks poor so I would want some expert help to get you on the right track

 

[cdunc09]

OP I am just wondering if you had him vetted when you got him? My first thought was he looked like an old horse who had not been in work for a long time. I am sorry if that is not what you wanted to hear. If he is not eating all his hay have you had his teeth checked? He really needs to be seen sooner than later.

Just a 2 stage vetting unfortunately. I really messed up not doing a full vetting now... And his teeth were done right before I got him.

 

[Equi]

Where did he come from?

Vet aand please don’t ride him. Has he had a dentist visit?

Get on to the feed regime, he’s quite underweight.

Edit to add: ok dentist is done. 2 stage vetting will still pick up any lameness so when exactly did you buy him?

It’s harder to pick up lameness on a lunge on soft ground, a video on concrete trotting away and back is needed.

 

[nagblagger]

Is he on full livery ? Wormed?
He looks sad - but at least you know there is a problem and therefore can start helping him.

 

[JBM]

If you trust the people you bought him off 100% then his teeth are done but when I get a new horse I do everything to be sure

 

[Ditchjumper2]

Hey don't beat yourself up! He looks a kind boy and none of us look our best in our winter woolies. I agree he doesn't look 100% sound and he also looks rather poor. You said he had his teeth done before you purchased him but may be worth getting them checked. Maybe they weren't done or possbly not done well. Then get him wormed. Both of those are relatively easy fixes. Give him as much hay as he will eat together with some small conditioning feeds. Is he shod or has he had his feet done recently? The farrier is usually a good starting point as he could possibly have abcesses etc due to to wet weather etc. Farriers are also generally cheaper. My old boy was awful if anything wrong with his feet and moved like a cripple. Once feet ruled out or in then speak to your vet if necessary. Hopefully it's nothing too serious

 

[cdunc09]

Hey don't beat yourself up! He looks a kind boy and none of us look our best in our winter woolies. I agree he doesn't look 100% sound and he also looks rather poor. You said he had his teeth done before you purchased him but may be worth getting them checked. Maybe they weren't done or possbly not done well. Then get him wormed. Both of those are relatively easy fixes. Give him as much hay as he will eat together with some small conditioning feeds. Is he shod or has he had his feet done recently? The farrier is usually a good starting point as he could possibly have abcesses etc due to to wet weather etc. Farriers are also generally cheaper. My old boy was awful if anything wrong with his feet and moved like a cripple. Once feet ruled out or in then speak to your vet if necessary. Hopefully it's nothing too serious

Thanks for the advice and kind words. I'll definitely get his teeth rechecked and have him wormed and I was gonna have the farrier come out this week, but wasn't sure If i should cancel and have the vet come out first. He's currently shod only in the front.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Vet first I would say, it could be something simple so dont go into a panic just yet.
Is he being ridden? Is he sensitive being tacked up? Any signs he is not feeling himself?

 

[cdunc09]

Vet first I would say, it could be something simple so dont go into a panic just yet.
Is he being ridden? Is he sensitive being tacked up? Any signs he is not feeling himself?

Ok, I'll reschedule with the farrier then and get the vet out first. I think a vet might be coming this week for another horse so I'll try to see if I can get seen then or if I should call a different vet for an earlier appointment.

He's not being ridden currently as I dont have a fitted saddle yet and I wanted to give him time to build up weight and muscle. I was told that he was ridden 2x per week for the past year by a kid/teen. He is a bit grumpy at times and been that way since i got him, so not sure if that is his personality or if its pain related. Now im thinking it could be the latter.

 

[ycbm]

I've been looking back at your other posts cdunc. Did you buy him from Ireland in the end? And has he raced? And are you still in Germany?
.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Ok, I'll reschedule with the farrier then and get the vet out first. I think a vet might be coming this week for another horse so I'll try to see if I can get seen then or if I should call a different vet for an earlier appointment.

He's not being ridden currently as I dont have a fitted saddle yet and I wanted to give him time to build up weight and muscle. I was told that he was ridden 2x per week for the past year by a kid/teen. He is a bit grumpy at times and been that way since i got him, so not sure if that is his personality or if its pain related. Now im thinking it could be the latter.

Definitely check with the vet for pain and if there are no issues get Him working to build muscle, long reigning is a great way to build muscle and top line along with a good diet

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Please do not work this horse at all until his condition has improved considerably. You cannot turn skin and bone and very little condition at all into muscle or top line until his condition score has improved considerably.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Same as other posters, get vet and start from there. He looks like he will be a lovely horse once you have solved his issues. Please keep us posted with your progress. He is lucky to have found you.

 

[ycbm]

He's not being ridden currently as I dont have a fitted saddle yet and I wanted to give him time to build up weight and muscle. I was told that he was ridden 2x per week for the past year by a kid/teen. He is a bit grumpy at times and been that way since i got him, so not sure if that is his personality or if its pain related. Now im thinking it could be the latter.

Looking at him it would certainly be worth scoping him for ulcers, if only to rule them out.
.

 

[gallopingby]

Hi everyone. I haven't had my 11 YO TB very long, but i'm thinking he is lame as something is just not right. I haven't ridden him yet due to family issues keeping me busy for the last few months, im waiting to get a saddle fitted, and I know he needs more muscle and conditioning. I haven't had a horse in over 10 years so looking for some experience eyes to give me advice. I will be calling out a vet as soon as I can. He looks very stiff in the hind end and also is dragging his feet at times. Thanks in advance.

Hi it’s difficult to tell much from a video so l wouldn’t get too stressed. I agree he needs more condition and l would be giving two short conditioning feeds a day after checking that his worm count was ok. If he’s not been wormed if May be worth doing this and then having a FEC afterwards. If you had a 2 stage vet check it should have picked up if he was lame. Some horses react badly to being moved and it may take a while for him to settle. Is he rugged / warm enough given the cold wet windy weather. I agree your farrier may be a better first call followed by the vet if there are concerns. It can take a year for horses to feel settled in a new environment. Good luck l hope things work out. Beware asking too many people for advice! You’ll end up totally confused with lots of conflicting info.