My horse keeps tripping over...

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Samantha008

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Ok, so i bought a horse 6 months ago that has turned out to be nothing but a nightmare, and wondered if anyone might know if her oversized feet could really be the reason for her tripping over so much or if they think something else is at play. Dont get me wrong, her health is a nightmare but shes the best natured mare i have ever known. She really is like my baby so i cannot and will not sell her on.

3 Weeks after buying her she was diagnosed with a sacroiliac problem, she had 4 months off work, then cortizone injections, and has then been bought back very slowly. she has a LOT of muscle wastage ( though it is starting to build again nicely now). Shes a 16.2. idxtb with feet that no over reach boot will fit. and i mean none, xl are far too small. Ive had the vet out numerous times and he saw her last week, saying shed now pass a 5 stage vetting. Ive had a neurological test done on her, shes fine. The problem is all in the front hooves, she barely picks them up and then catches her toe and goes over. I hacked for an hour yesterday, just in walk, and she tripped over 7 or 8 times, the last one when i tried a trot to see if she was just being lazy in her walk, and i fell off over her head, so its now getting dangerous. Shes due the farrier tomorrow and was a little stiff due to having a few days off but i cant believe thats a reason for a horse to trip over so much.

Can this really just be from her oversized feet and muscle watage combination? Or do you think theres something else at play? Can an SI injury affect the front feet?

Im very grateful for any ideas or help.

Im going to try lunging over trotting poles tonight.

Thankyou
 
:( I recon theres some kind of pain in the feet.... she is obviously putting her toe down first rather than heel. Is she sensitive to pressure on the heel bulbs? There could also be pain in the shoulder... isit both front feet she tripped on or just one?
 
I don't know if it will help you, but before my two went shoeless, my tripping gelding was shod (on farriers recommendation) with Natural Balance shoes, which improved things no end. You do need a farrier who knows how to put them on properly though.
 
sorry to be a dampener but i will be honest - my horse started tripping same and she turned out to have navicular. once farrier had a look if that doesnt help poss think about xrays
 
Shoot me down

Try taking her shoes off she might not be able to actually feel her feet ! the blood flow will increase and a good trimmer will even be able to imrove any symptoms of Navic, My mare used to drag and trip on her fronts really badly as she had bad heel pinching, shoes have been off for years and her feet and bars have completely changed shape.

It worked for me ! I hope she is ok
 
I would suggest x-rays as it does sound like navicular especially if it is more in one foot than the other. I wouldn't go on riding her until the problem is solved but worth seeing if a softer surface helps at all.
 
We had a horse that spent his time on his knees turned out he had a heart murmer and everytime his heart did a funny flutter thing he lost the concentration in his legs and tripped......I expect not in your horse, but just highlighting the fact it might not be a foot or leg issue.
 
My horse has possible Navicular (didn't know till after I brought him) and he does this. Although he will trip once or twice on a hack and usually on grass rather than flat ground. He goes really slowly on grass and speeds up on pathways.
 
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