BethH
Well-Known Member
Hi, Well It's a long time since I've posted on here, but my wonderful little horse seems to be lame on his left hind leg, I have a call out to the vet to come and see him, but thought I would seek your thoughts too as I have come across some great advice on here in the past. Sorry in advance as it's a bit of a story!
Ryan had KS surgery 5yrs ago and made a remarkable recovery, this is the first time since then that I have been worried about him and am thinking it isn't a tweak in the field. He looks ok in walk and for the most part in trot, but is diving and falling in during the canter and the action of the leg looks stilted and straight. He is finding the downwards transition to trot extremely hard to manage, causing him to run faster on the forehand. On the long reins, by his choice, he is hollow with his head in the air rather than relaxed and down as normal. During the previous couple of weeks he has felt very heavy on the left rein, a bit like a square, inflexible horse rather than relaxed and supple. Because of his history, his back is checked at least 3 times a year and 2 months ago he passed with flying colours and the physio saying every bit of him felt brilliant. If he is sore ever, 1 massage always sorts him out and he is fine.
He seems very happy in himself, is comfortable in the stable and field, he looks in fantastic condition so am thinking not in pain when not worked. I have had my back lady out as I thought he had just tweaked himself in the field initially and she found him very tight on the back legs between hock and hip and consequently through the back and withers, after his massage and a couple of days off I put him on the long reins and he was so good I rode and was delighted. The following day I rode again and he started to feel heavy on his left hand side again. He was shod by a different farrier (my usual chap unfortunately is excellent but a little unreliable!) 3 wks ago but this farrier is also very good and does loads of remedial work for vets etc so I don't think the problem stems from that and nor does my back lady. His saddle has been checked and is fine so am really thinking it is something with his hip/pelvis. His hip is making a clicking noise which it did do for a while a few years ago and I was told at that time that some horses do this and it's an air pocket so nothing to worry about.
So I suppose I am panicking it could be spavin or suspensory ligament problems but really I want someone to tell me that it's nothing to worry about!!!!!! Any ideas gratefully received as my mind is doing serious overtime!
Ryan had KS surgery 5yrs ago and made a remarkable recovery, this is the first time since then that I have been worried about him and am thinking it isn't a tweak in the field. He looks ok in walk and for the most part in trot, but is diving and falling in during the canter and the action of the leg looks stilted and straight. He is finding the downwards transition to trot extremely hard to manage, causing him to run faster on the forehand. On the long reins, by his choice, he is hollow with his head in the air rather than relaxed and down as normal. During the previous couple of weeks he has felt very heavy on the left rein, a bit like a square, inflexible horse rather than relaxed and supple. Because of his history, his back is checked at least 3 times a year and 2 months ago he passed with flying colours and the physio saying every bit of him felt brilliant. If he is sore ever, 1 massage always sorts him out and he is fine.
He seems very happy in himself, is comfortable in the stable and field, he looks in fantastic condition so am thinking not in pain when not worked. I have had my back lady out as I thought he had just tweaked himself in the field initially and she found him very tight on the back legs between hock and hip and consequently through the back and withers, after his massage and a couple of days off I put him on the long reins and he was so good I rode and was delighted. The following day I rode again and he started to feel heavy on his left hand side again. He was shod by a different farrier (my usual chap unfortunately is excellent but a little unreliable!) 3 wks ago but this farrier is also very good and does loads of remedial work for vets etc so I don't think the problem stems from that and nor does my back lady. His saddle has been checked and is fine so am really thinking it is something with his hip/pelvis. His hip is making a clicking noise which it did do for a while a few years ago and I was told at that time that some horses do this and it's an air pocket so nothing to worry about.
So I suppose I am panicking it could be spavin or suspensory ligament problems but really I want someone to tell me that it's nothing to worry about!!!!!! Any ideas gratefully received as my mind is doing serious overtime!
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