one off step

[The Jakenator]

Hi, brief historiy, my horse had laminitis 3 years ago, very badly but recovered very well, he was diagnosed ems, his levels went right down and have stayed down, after lami he was diagnosec with bi-lateral bone spavin, had him treated and vet said work him as much as you think he can cope with, he is not the most forward of horses and I have a hard time figuring out if he is just being lazy or if something is bothering him, my vet thinks he plays me for a fool!

I constantly feel guilty if I've got after him, thinking oh but what if he's hurting, only to watch him gallop off across the field!

The latest thing bothering me is something he's always done but its bothering me (not my vet or farrier mind) he is shod in front but will still tread on a large stone and do a dramatic limp, sometimes he does it and I look round and theres nothing there, he did it earlier but he only trod on the stone with the outside of his hoof, I wonder if it jarrs him elsewhere up the leg rather than his foot as his feet are rock solid! Sometimes I know he's trod on a stone and he doesn't react at all. Any ideas please

 

[wkiwi]

Regarding the bone spavin; can you have an instructor help you decide when he is sore and when he is just being lazy? They should be able to help you learn to feel the difference and then you will feel happier about when to work him harder.
Regarding the dramatic limping with a stone - some horses are very woossy (spelling?) about this i.e. ouch ouch for even a small stone. You may be right in that he is jarring further up, but i would be inclined to believe your farrier and vet seen as they are both in agreement.
Horses are certainly a worry, but it is easy to worry too much to the detriment of your enjoyment riding.