not crossing hind legs but pivetting on feet

[dilbert]

Today when manoevering to get out of the gate in the field (rock hard, icy) my 8 year old cob seemed unable to cross his hind legs over to turn. Instead he sort of pivotted on his hooves (not moving his legs) as if his feet were stick to the ground.

Can anyone give me any advice regarding this? he has had ongoing problems with the left hind (abscess) and seems to struggle with very low grade lammi symptoms in his hind end also. I'd also say he seems to have tweaked something in the field in the last few days judging by how he was walking.

When fidgetting round the stable he seems to manage tight turns fine.

 

[amage]

If he is sound etc then he may have just been avoiding possibly slipping on ice! If he has had lammi be very careful as the cold and snow can really affect the feet

 

[broodmare]

Keep an eye on him, it's really slippy out there, he could have 'tweaked' something.
Try backing him up and see if he can take even strides backwards, and turn small circles on both reins to see if he can cross legs one way and not the other... failing to be able to do one or other could show a bit of a problem... he might just have been being cautious though