Lungeing an older horse with a stiff hindleg

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JosieSmith

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Following a routine vet check, I have been told my 20 yr old has a stiff hind fetlock, possible arthritis. She was trotted up and vet said she was sound and didn't require painkillers just yet. He said I should exercise her regularly, ideally 15 mins 2 times a week and hacking out at weekends.

I can't ride tonight as I have a headache and can't wear my hat, so thought I would lunge her instead, but is this ok with her having a stiff leg. If I'm just lungeing to get that leg moving a bit would she be ok if I keep her on a large circle, even if I have to follow her all the way around the outside of the school and just do some gentle walking and trotting on both reins. Maybe I could lunge her as if I'm riding, i.e. do some large circles but otherwise keep her on the outside of the school
 
i would have thought that if you were lunging on a tight circle lots of canter with all the gear on then it would be a bad idea, but the way you've suggested seems fine to me as i dont see how it would put any more strain on than riding
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having not experienced looking after an arthritic horse myself though, i could be talking poop!!
 
Suzie that's what I thought. If I'm riding I'd be doing some big circles but nothing too strenuous on her. I definitely don't wanna make it worse, so will heed Peter's advice carefully.

I have been doing serpentines with her when riding so maybe I should stop it, or make them much bigger if possible.

I think I might ring the vet and ask their opinion, I suppose having seen it they'll know what's best and what I can and can't do
 
M_G that's a great idea and I did think about it but I've never done it and wouldn't know where to start. I might see if I can get some lessons though as it'd really help when I can't ride, cos then I could change reins easily and do movements ets without having to follow her intently, and change the lunge line over every time
 
again ive never long reined (might give it a go now as bored of lunging!) but dont you just put a roller on and thread lunge lines through the d rings on the roller? im guessing you can start lunging her with 2 lunge lines then kind of move round so you're behind her and she should get it??!! I dont know its not something ive ever done but feel quite inspired to try it now!
 
Actually there probably is a couple of people who could go through the basics with me. Not sure how sensible Belle will be though! She's fine lungeing but not keen on things near or on her back legs, but with a bit of work I'm sure she'll settle down, she always has in the past with boots and things.
 
Another thing that helps for stiff horses is magnetic boots. My older boy has been getting a bit stiff lately as now it's winter and he's in at night he has to stand around alot more so was starting to come out of his stable stiff behind in the mornings. So I got him some magnetic boot wraps and they are brilliant, he isn't stiff anymore and moves much more freely/ takes less time to loosen up when I ride him. Might be worth giving these a go for your mare?
 
My horse was diagnosed with a spavin in his right hock at the age of 5. He is now 12. I find that gentle exercise as many days as I can keep him in the best shape - as seconded by his physio who comes every 5-6 weeks. (although I give him 2 days off a week which are staggered)

I have always done some lunging with him, since diagnosis. I use a very large circle, and go down the long sides as far as I can too. I have been advised by my physio to do lots of transitions on the lunge to get his back stronger in particular as he has had back issues secondary to the spavin. I would be careful doing TOO much lunge work with any horse as continuous circles can be hard on the legs.

I personally find that my horse leans on long reins .

I have never heard not to lunge a horse with mild arthritis?

I sometimes lunge down the arena side over trot poles, or place a single pole on a circle to get him using his back legs and stretching through. It also makes the lunging session more interesting.

I don't free school as my horse loves to go a bit bananas and I think that all the twisting and turning and possible slipping could be bad for him.

I wouldn't worry about lunging up to say twice a week, but definitely varied with other exercise so you do other work too.

Good luck, I have had success with my horse staying stable and actually even getting better this yr. (Another thing - He is turned out every day of the yr minus about 2 if the weather is absolutely dire).
 
Thanks everyone that's a great help. I ended up riding last night as my head was better and spoke to my instructor who said that as long as I keep the circles big and don't ask too much we'd be fine, and that I'd know if she was unlevel and so had done too much so should stop.

I thought trotting poles would be good to get her flexing a bit and lifting her leg a bit higher but wasn't sure if she should be doing that at all.

I know when it's sore as she hops as I'm picking that foot up, but sometimes she's ok, and I have a funny feeling it's at night after she's been out all day that she's fine, will monitor that. In summer she's out 24/7 so hopefully that, plus warmer weather will help in summer time, just gotta make it through winter.

Thanks again for all the good ideas
 
My physio, who visits every 5-6 weeks, recommended that I start by putting just a single pole down to begin with. You can always walk to begin with. Lifting the leg and 'stepping through', rather than using less hock flexion (which may well be a symptom of her stiffness), is what you want to achieve. Take it gently, and if you can get a physio or similar this might help give you feedback on whether what you are doing is helping or not. I find that very useful. You will be able to move on to raised poles (even better for lifting) and multi-poles. Be guided by your instructor/physio (and your horse of course!!)
 
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