AGAGE
Well-Known Member
Ted has been trotting on the lunge for the last few weeks with his head inches from the floor- stretching through his back and neck. He seems happy enough doing this on the lunge, his ears aren't back and his tail carriage is normal. He is a little stiff as he has arthritis in both hocks and drags his back toes ever so slightly- he has always done this though even prior to diagnosis of arthritis.
In canter on the lunge he hollows slightly initially but stretches through with head to the floor in canter and back when in trot. He is only being ridden in walk at the moment as I am trying to get him fit post snow weeks off and he has very poor muscle condition over his back. He is only cantering on the lunge when he chooses to, if he's feeling energetic and won't stop!
Should I be pleased that he is stretching his back or concerned that his back is causing him discomfort and making him need to stretch?
He had his saddle fitted just before xmas. Prior to xmas he was pulling the reins through my hands in trot and stretching his back long and low, however if I collected the reins again he would hollow for a few strides and do a horrible choppy trot, but then would trot forward again. The saddler didn't see his stretching as a big concern, just thought it was rude of him, and if anything thought it was a good sign.
The vet is due to come out for his flu and tet next month so will discuss with the vet then. But don't know whether to call out physio as well. Could he be stretching his back like this due to the arthritis in his hocks, causing discomfort in his back or am I worrying about nothing?
In canter on the lunge he hollows slightly initially but stretches through with head to the floor in canter and back when in trot. He is only being ridden in walk at the moment as I am trying to get him fit post snow weeks off and he has very poor muscle condition over his back. He is only cantering on the lunge when he chooses to, if he's feeling energetic and won't stop!
Should I be pleased that he is stretching his back or concerned that his back is causing him discomfort and making him need to stretch?
He had his saddle fitted just before xmas. Prior to xmas he was pulling the reins through my hands in trot and stretching his back long and low, however if I collected the reins again he would hollow for a few strides and do a horrible choppy trot, but then would trot forward again. The saddler didn't see his stretching as a big concern, just thought it was rude of him, and if anything thought it was a good sign.
The vet is due to come out for his flu and tet next month so will discuss with the vet then. But don't know whether to call out physio as well. Could he be stretching his back like this due to the arthritis in his hocks, causing discomfort in his back or am I worrying about nothing?