Ginger Bear
Well-Known Member
I will be calling the vet this morning but just wondered if I can get any opinions.. Last night we had our first lesson since his operation on his off hind leg back in February 2010, he had arthrodesis of his pastern for ringbone..so now has a fused patern joint so has no movement in the pastern. He's been back in work since last August but back in full work since last October & has now built up to being ridden 6 days per week. So last night we just started in our lesson by working to get him in a nice outline in walk & getting him to respond easily to my hands, he was doing really well & then as we started trotting he looked REALLY lame for about 3 strides then ok..but stopped the lesson & trotted him up on the yard & he looked really slightly lame on his near fore. So slightly that we weren't even sure if he was lame or not.. so checked him all over no heat or swelling or anything like that..but nothing. I know obviously it could be anything but is it possible that his back fused leg could affect his opposite front leg because he's being ridden in an outline & isn't used to it & it's hard work for him at the mo? Or is it possible that he just needs bringing into schooling slowly to get used to bending? Any advise greatly appreciated. The mystery is that before the lesson I took his for a quick hack around the fields to get some energy out of him because he's been so full of himself & he was absolutely fine! Thanks