Paint it Lucky
Well-Known Member
What should I do?
My older boy (passport says 21 but we think he is more like 24) has recently been getting stiffer in his back legs. Nothing major, he can still move about fine. I notice it mainly when I first pick his feet out in the morning, he struggles to lift his backs up, he sort of lifts them up quite high and pulls his feet forewards, rather than putting foot out behind him like most horses. Also when he is ridden, though he generally feels very flexible and free, occassionally he will lose a back leg (don't know if this is the correct expression) but we'll be just trotting along and suddenly it is like he forgets to put one of his back legs forwards so he misses a step, but then he goes back to normal again. Also I have been watching him in the field and after he rolls he sometimes looks like it is a real effort to get back up again and takes a few seconds to heave himself up rather than just bounding up like some horses do
So I am worrying he may be feeling his age.
I have him on a joint supplement with a high HA content which has helped the loosing a leg thing but he still has his back leg stiffnesses with feet picking out and getting up etc. Is there anything else I can do? He is still ridden most days though rarely for more than 45mins, though I do a lot of dressage with him so he does work fairly hard in that time. Do you think I need to start easing off his workload? He still has plenty of energy, I think it's a case of the mind is willing but prehaps the body can't keep up as well as it used to anymore.
Have been worrying about this for awhile. Does anyone know any miracle cures to keep veterans going or do I just need to accept that he is getting on in years and ease off with him. Any advice appreciated thanks.
My older boy (passport says 21 but we think he is more like 24) has recently been getting stiffer in his back legs. Nothing major, he can still move about fine. I notice it mainly when I first pick his feet out in the morning, he struggles to lift his backs up, he sort of lifts them up quite high and pulls his feet forewards, rather than putting foot out behind him like most horses. Also when he is ridden, though he generally feels very flexible and free, occassionally he will lose a back leg (don't know if this is the correct expression) but we'll be just trotting along and suddenly it is like he forgets to put one of his back legs forwards so he misses a step, but then he goes back to normal again. Also I have been watching him in the field and after he rolls he sometimes looks like it is a real effort to get back up again and takes a few seconds to heave himself up rather than just bounding up like some horses do
I have him on a joint supplement with a high HA content which has helped the loosing a leg thing but he still has his back leg stiffnesses with feet picking out and getting up etc. Is there anything else I can do? He is still ridden most days though rarely for more than 45mins, though I do a lot of dressage with him so he does work fairly hard in that time. Do you think I need to start easing off his workload? He still has plenty of energy, I think it's a case of the mind is willing but prehaps the body can't keep up as well as it used to anymore.
