On going lameness!

[Whiz36]

Hi so I have a 16.2 ex racehorse 13years gelding. He is a complicated chap and has always napped and been unpredictable since a yearling (I’ve known him this long). So he has randomly in the last 5 years thrown in some off days of slight shortness in front when schooling etc never anything bad just not quite right. We did however have one bout off very sudden lameness which seemed like it potentially could be a abscess but farrier checked all fine and I think eventually he went to the vet even though he came sound he was xrayed both front feet fine. Forward a couple of years or so I moved yards and have done more hacking than schooling. He went lame n/f progressively got more apparent and was obvious in walk! Farrier checked fine nothing obvious no swelling/heat etc eventually had vet out nerves blocked and xrayed and found a spur on his coffin joint this was medicated and he had raised heels, he become sound and started riding him again. Less than 3 mths in his lame again! Pretty much been turned away since, shoes off etc he appears sound (has the of day when I’m sure he looks short esp walking up a hill) any hoo decides to take him in the school for a lunge recently to see how he Is and is now moving wrong behind in canter bunny hopping, disuniting, and actually hopping ??? I’m actually at a loss been on off lame since April 2019 last ridden sept 2019 been lunged 2 times this year both times doing this odd movement behind. Decided to ride him in the school to feel what he’s like, he actually moved quite well but kept disuniting behind in canter! Finished with a trot on hard ground lame in front again ? I’m at a loss I’m thinking towards neurological for poor movement behind but I’m no expert. Any thoughts? Appreciated. Next steps vets and investigate as we are approaching a year now and desperate for a horse to ride!!

 

[be positive]

I am not sure I have read this correctly, horse has been on off lame since April 2019 not ridden since Sept and you get on him recently and expect him to canter in a school? if he wasn't lame before it is hardly surprising he was wrong by the time he had finished, what happened to getting them fit before asking them to go up a gear?

That aside he has a known arthritic coffin joint that by now will probably have deteriorated, there is every chance he has other areas of arthritis or similar issues stemming from his racing days as yet not found or treated so the first thing to decide is whether you want to start the diagnostics and potentially expensive ongoing treatment, or whether your priority is a horse to ride now, this horse may not be up to much even if his issues are found and treated so it makes sense to get the vet but put a limit on what you are prepared to do and how much you are willing to spend.

 

[Equi]

What be said. Its a lot to ask of a horse to be correct after months and months off some will do it but some won't. I agree get the vet out and see whats what..but be prepared to make the choice.

 

[AandK]

Bunny hopping and disuniting in canter are symptoms of several issues, hocks, SI, suspensories, the list goes on. He could also just be very weak from having so long off work, I would not lunge a horse after that amount of time off without getting a certain level of fitness prior.
As BP said, either look to find out what the issue behind is with your vet, or draw a line under it all and retire him.