Losing coordination down hills

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BettyK

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Hi,
I have noticed that my 19y.o. WB has developed a weird gait when walking down hill. Left to his own devices he no longer seems to slow himself but lets his body gain momentum and/or he loses the rthymn of the gait. It becomes camel like. Even if I half halt him he seems to lose coordination and feels wobbly.
He has low ringbone in his forelegs and an undefined fetlock problem in his hinds. He had nucleur scintography on his hindlegs last year which found hotspots in his fetlock and one stifle. . His back was OK. I have not noticed any problems picking up his hind legs or any weird signs if I am back him up. He is semi retired and we mostly just do gentle walks. he is on Danilon o.d.
I am not sure about calling out a vet when the symptom only manifest itself on hills.
Despite his restrictions he is well muscled fairly fit. He is already on a low sugar hi-fibre diet.
I was wondering whether its another symptom of the low ringbone...maybe becoming painful as his front feet take extra weight. If so I guess it would be time to quit riding the old boy.
 
It may well be the arthritis is causing him a problem when going down hill.

But if he's happy in ridden work generally - then I'd keep riding (albeit on flat surfaces). Or dismount and walk him downhill.
 
Be aware that gait problems going downhill can idicate bilateral front foot lameness/pain. Because both front feet hurt the same amount, you don't see any lameness at all. UNTIL, that is, you do a nerve block on 1 front foot and then the horse is hopping lame on the other. I'd especially suspect it in an older horse - djd/arthritis etc are the usual culprits. By the time it gets to that point, often not much that can be done except bute up and retire or gentle rides on bute.
 
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