older pony wearing hind toes and front leg problem in trot

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devonlass

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Hi there all,hoping for some advice for some friends.

Two ladies a few months ago bought an older pony,bought from a friend who hadn't had him long and history very sketchy.Pony is thought to be 16yrs,although personally from looking at him I would say good chance he's a bit older.Quite poor when they bought him,but they are doing a grand job of giving him some TLC.One of the ladies is very novice,but other is reasonably experienced AFAIK,although not sure if that also means knowledgable if that makes sense?? They are trying hard though and clearly very fond of pony so I would like to help them if I can.

They asked me about something the pony does on his nearside front leg when trotting,which I must admit I'm not sure about but then is hard to imagine as not actually seen it and is hard to know from a verbal description but hoping it might mean something to someone here?? They said he sort of does a strange movement in trot almost like he's trying to canter on the spot rather than trot and only on one leg?? On of the ladies description sounded almost like she meant flicking the leg out,but when I queried that she said no so not sure about that?? They found it really hard to describe but AFAIK it only happens when ridden and is like something more of a canter but in trot and just in that one leg.Does it all the time and not just when going into trot if that helps??

One of the ladies said she feels he struggles downhill on his fronts,and is like he's going to trip,but other lady said she hasn't noticed this so not sure if that actually happening or relevant,but if you read on I do feel it might be of interest.

Other issue is that I noticed he has squared off toes on the hinds (shod on front and barefoot behind),one far worse than the other (funnily enough same side as funny leg thing in trot),and they both said had noticed him dragging his back feet when ridden.
I know what my first thoughts were on this especially coupled with the downhill issue but would be interested in what others think??

I have no idea if he's sound,both ladies think he is and is ridden quite regularly,I have only seen him standing and being led,he looked ok to me,but I have only had the opportunity to see this very briefly.

Any thoughts greatly appreciated,I have so far advised them to look at a joint supp,and to talk to their farrier and get his thoughts.Also suggested they look at his workload and fitness as is possible he is either stiff or unfit so lazy or all of them and this is why he is dragging his feet and not moving correctly.Not sure if any or all of that is right?? I have a few thoughts but wouldn't like to give them bad advice so really interested in all of your thoughts.

Please don't just say to get the vet,I am more than aware this is probably needed if the problems continue but I would like to give them some ideas to try and rule out first,or at least some solid info and suggestions to convince that vet is only way forward if that's the case.Is not that they wouldn't get the vet BTW,am sure they would,but I don't think they are aware that there is even the possibility of it being anything remotely serious,so me just saying get the vet out would prob seem a bit OTT to the more experienced lady and worry the more novice lady stupid!!

Anyway will shut up now and look forward to hearing what ideas anyone has,many thanx in advance.
 
poor thing sounds crippled!! Okay IMO possibly has arthritis behind due to age and taking all the weight from front end due to previous injury to front leg, needs looking at with vet and farrier - reshoeing, possibly corns, or maybe just bad shoeing with too long heels etc etc. Joint supps wont help at this stage, needs devils claw or something to relieve the problem and make him comfortable, the strange gait downhill will coincide with the arthritis behind and the sore feet in front, if dragging and wearing away toes behind, also to check heels are not too long behind so walking on toe instead of heel first. Hope he is okay
 
This is meant helpfully, although it may across rather blunt.

How can the owners think he is sound when they describe him trying to canter on foot rather than trot, flicking one leg out?

Trot is symmetrical. If it's not symmetrical, there is definitely a lameness of some kind.

They really do just need the vet, and then at least they'll have a bit more idea of what they are dealing with, and how best to progress.

Without that, they are clutching at straws and delaying any help for the pony.

To be fair to the pony, I think you just need to be blunt with them. Vet is the way forward.

Sarah
 
Thank you very,very much to everyone that has replied,has been a great help:)

To answer a couple of points raised in case it helps with any other responses.....

beeswax said:
poor thing sounds crippled!! Okay IMO possibly has arthritis behind due to age and taking all the weight from front end due to previous injury to front leg, needs looking at with vet and farrier - reshoeing, possibly corns, or maybe just bad shoeing with too long heels etc etc. Joint supps wont help at this stage, needs devils claw or something to relieve the problem and make him comfortable, the strange gait downhill will coincide with the arthritis behind and the sore feet in front, if dragging and wearing away toes behind, also to check heels are not too long behind so walking on toe instead of heel first. Hope he is okay
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To be fair he's certainly not crippled,I've only seen him in the field and on the yard but he seems to move ok,I've not paid a huge amount of attention if I'm honest but sure would have noticed anything obvious or if he had problems moving.He get's ridden by both ladies,mainly hacking AFAIK and is happy enough when out from all accounts and even if not but they didn't notice anything amiss I would hope their hacking buddies would have??

I *think* they just think it's a couple of little things,more niggles than big deals,and the back toe thing another livery had already suggested that he was just being lazy,and as he is certainly not fully fit at the mo and is only in light ridden work they accepted this as a possibility which of course it could be.
As you have quite rightly suggested though there is a good chance it is something a bit more than that,but I don't think there is anything obvious wrong with pony that would suggest that to them if that makes sense?? Sorry just trying to make clear that they're not deliberatly ignoring symptoms of pain that they're aware of,just lack correct knowledge of these sort of things maybe.

Very interesting about compensating for a previous injury in front,that would make a lot of sense.
Ok about the supp,I will pass that on.Devils claw I have heard is good but never used it personally,is it easy to get hold of?? Not sure these ladies buy online and may be limited to local tack shop is all.

flintfootfilly said:
This is meant helpfully, although it may across rather blunt.

How can the owners think he is sound when they describe him trying to canter on foot rather than trot, flicking one leg out?

Trot is symmetrical. If it's not symmetrical, there is definitely a lameness of some kind.

To be fair to the pony, I think you just need to be blunt with them. Vet is the way forward.

Sarah
Click to expand...

No problem,not blunt at all and all help appreciated!!

The front leg thing is awkward because I wasn't sure what they meant from the description,and haven't seen it,was just my best guess from what they did say.They both pretty much agreed that it felt like he was trying to canter but on the spot and only on that leg,and their hand actions to try and explain looked like they meant flicking his leg out (like a dishing action I thought they meant),but when I suggested this one of them said no,the other said they weren't sure,so none the wiser there I'm afraid!!

They did both agree it only happened in trot and only on this one leg,and although not constant (I don't *think* anyway),definitely happens during trot rather than just when going into it.

If I can gather enough info and present it to them in the right way I am hoping they will come to the conclusion of the vet themselves,or at the very least some other professional.
I am a bit disappointed that the farrier has not mentioend anything to them regarding the squared off hinds,would a farrier not comment or ask questions about this usually?? He has not long been shod so sure the hinds would have been a similar state so would have been more than noticable.
Anyway I understand what you're saying,but I really would like to avoid being blunt or unkind to them at this point,simply as I don't actually know them that well yet and not sure it would have the desired effect,might just offend them if they took it wrong.Will of course though just say it like it is if it becomes necessary or nice approach doesn't work.

Black_Horse_White said:
Toe dragging can also be a sign of hock spavin. Maybe it's arthritis in the front legs too. My cob who had Ringbone struggled downhill. They should get a vet out to check the pony over.
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My thoughts that I referred to in original post was spavins.Not had any personal experience with it though,was just first thing that popped in my head from the toe dragging and problems downhill.

Is there any way to get a clearer idea if it's spavins without vet interervention and scans etc?? I mean just like any questions I could ask them,any obvious pointers to look for in pony that would suggest spavins as a possibility (other than the ones he has already obviously)?? Anything I could look for if was able to watch him worked or ridden??

Many thanx again for all the responses,I will be visiting again in a few days so any info or ideas I can go armed with that might help them and the pony would be great and much appreciated by all concerned:)
 
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