'plaiting back legs' help wanted please

[aintgotnohay]

17 year old part bred arab geldin-poor doer and laminitic.
gets speedi beet/chaff and baileys no 4 conditioning cubes and hay 2 xs day- 2 large nets and limited grazing.always stiff behind when stabled.
okay my yard manager has told me to cut the sugar beet out and the cubes and to feed-vetran mix,bran and unmolassed chaff.pony 14.3hh sometimes seems to be going off or plaiting his legs on occassions.
am i right to cut the sugar beet and conditioning cubes out-is there too much protein in the diet.
he is a pet /light hack?
there is no pulse that suggests no lami coming on.he also has no bute-well has just started having it.
please help if you can.

 

[Tnavas]

PLaiting often shows up when a horse is no longer in a good physical condition (muscling up improves the hind action) he could also have slipped in the paddock and put his back out - a visit from the chiro wouold help him.

Can you leave him out 24/7 on a track system so that he gets to move around and not stiffen up.

 

[Eaglestone]

Sorry but can you explain what 'plaiting back legs' means? Are you saying that he twists them around each other?

Sorry if I am being stupid

 

[MissMincePie&Brandy]

It's not good for horses to plait - crossing the legs over when they walk, as if they are mincing (sorry that's only way I can think to describe it ) because abnormal stress is put onto joints and ligaments, and this incorrect movement is likely to be a cause weakness and joint wear in later years. The horses I know who do it, do it all of the time and it's their 'natural' way of going. I had a 5 year old vetted last year who plaited, and he failed on flexion tests. The abnormal loading was already starting to have an impact on his joints and he was only 5.

If your pony is doing it on and off, then I would suggest that he's doing it to try to alleviate pain, and you should investigate that, by calling a vet.

 

[Cortez]

What I think you are describing is ataxia and could be very serious. Get a vet out.

 

[Eaglestone]

Thanks 'Misinterpreted' that was a very good explanation, I know understand.

 

[aintgotnohay]

been told its diet related as this happened in the summer and they just gone onto the winter grazing and all have shites on the yard due to the grass.

 

[charmeroo]

Lol!!

You'll be telling us that they don't s**t in the summer next!!

 

[FanyDuChamp]

PLaiting often shows up when a horse is no longer in a good physical condition (muscling up improves the hind action) .

This is true, when we got Captain he was in poor condition and plaited his hinds because he had very little condition on him. As his condition improved it went. Have a look at his quarters if they are weak then that may be the problem.
FDC