Its been up's and down's today and I need some advice

[orionstar]

Warning long thread.
Foalie went out for the first time today since weaning, and he was a little trooper! Walked to the field without explosions then spent the next hour pretending to be in a spanish riding school display with his playmate of the same age. It was joy to watch, and he came in walking like we we doing an in hand class! I'm so proud. Then rode my 5 year old who is just getting back into canter work after the bad weather and on the left rein "what!!!" legs all over the place, couldnt tell whether it was trot, skip, canter. Couldnt sit to it, and her neck was stuck out to the right. She's been completely sound through all the walk and trot work, was cantering fine at the beginning of the week and canters fine on the right rein. Still looks and feel sound in trot on both reins but there's obviously something funny going on. Teeth are ok and I've checked the saddle for pressure points, gone down her spine from head to tail, but I cant tell whether her reation at the poll is the one I normally get (must have had some bad experiences with the bridle when being broken in) or if there's something out. Anyone had something similar happen as I'm thinking back man or vet or it's being out of practise?

 

[Izzwizz]

Have you had a look at her on the lunge? That may give you a clue, you will be able to watch her action. May be that shes just out of practice, as we know horses are usually better balanced on one rein more than the other. Have you someone else who is knowlegable who could take a look with you? Failing that if your not happy then I would call the vet.

 

[orionstar]

Thanks, had a friend watch today and he cant work out whats going on either, as he's never seen anything like what she was doing whilst we were in "canter", but the action seems to be worse when attempting 20m circles, which makes me think it's her back.

 

[Izzwizz]

Personally, I would stop riding her and get the vet out to do a lameness workup. Could be all manner of things and we could guess forever. She may have tweaked herself in the field, could be as simple as that and may be she just needs to rest. Your vet will be able to point you in the right direction, be it rest or to the Physio. Hope you get it sorted.

 

[kirstyl]

Have you had a look at her on the lunge? That may give you a clue, you will be able to watch her action. May be that shes just out of practice, as we know horses are usually better balanced on one rein more than the other. Have you someone else who is knowlegable who could take a look with you? Failing that if your not happy then I would call the vet.

Personally I would put her on the lunge and see what she looks like with no rider on. Lots of horses do go through a 'I can canter/I can't canter' phase. Mine has recently started going disunited behind then correcting himself. Don't panic! Give your horse time to work out the problem and time to correct it. Will probably feel awful but it is constructive work! Do you have a regular instructor who can help? I am definitely one who makes sure tteth/back are all in A1 condition, but if your horse was cantering fine very recently, it is worth checking out all possibilitis before getting out Physio, vet etc