Ponys hind legs slipping sometimes - what could it be?

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Blondie1

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Hi,

I wondered if anyone could help. I have recently bought a 14.2hh Welsh D Gelding. He was overweight when i bought him and also unfit and un-balanced.

He is on a strict diet and working on building his fitness etc up slowly.

Sometimes he will slip a little with his hind legs underneath him. This has happened whilst leading in hand and also riding in walk and trot but only happens every now and then.

Farrier is out on Saturday - and he is shod all round.

I just wasn't sure if anyone might know why he is slipping. Is it a sign that he needs the farrier? Is it just because he is overweight, unfit and un-balanced? Or is it something else?

Also, depending on the replies i was thinking when the Farrier comes to either just put front shoes on - if that might help? Or should i go barefoot with him? Will either of these help with slipping or should i stick with shod all round?

any help, suggestions, experiences appreciated : )

Thanks xxx
 
I'd look higher than his hooves before making decisions about shoes. Have you had him checked over physically? My horse does this sometimes and I can see just looking at him that he lacks strength in his hind end, so I'l dealing with that. Mine tends to do it downhill.
 
friends mare used to slip behind & slowly got more common, as it got more common it became more apparent her back legs were locking up & she slipped trying to release them.
she was retired from driving at 15 due to locking stifles but has a new life as a broodmare (brilliant welsh bloodlines & at a good stud)
it could be something as simple as just unbalanced though.
good luck with the new boy.
 
I agree with Tinypony- mine has back and bum muscle damage, and when he's unfit he dies this ALL the time, but when he's fittened up properly it stops, as his is stronger and his balance is better.

Might be worth getting a physio to see if pony has any old muscle injuries? Then u know exactly what your dealing with, and they can help u manage them.

I wouldn't look at the feet first either tbh, and I wouldnt change my routine with them til I'd checked out the rest
 
Thanks so much for your replies.

My physio has checked him about 4 weeks ago and he had to have treatment for his back but no problems around his hind area. I think i may get her to check him again though as she will check him over for free : )

I really hope its just a fittening/balance issue and not something more serious.

With regards to shoeing..... Over the last month or so i have been thinking of taking his back shoes off as the work i do with him doesn't justify needing shoes. But from the sounds of your replies you think i should stick with shod all round until the slipping issue has been resolve yeah?

Thanks again xxx
 
One of mine does this when unfit. She had time off for injury and would skate on the road, but with a few days of walking actively out she carried herself much better and the slipping stopped.
My cob wore front shoes for 18 months and when he returned to barefoot the difference was marked. Paces were lighter, freer and much more sure footed. He'd slip on wet ground/roads but barefoot, he's more confident and can be ridden in any conditions, well, perhaps not ice, but even walking in hand across an icy patch, he coped much better.
Hope all goes well with your new lad.
 
it sounds like it could be a stifle problem/weakness, have the old owners encountered it at all? It may well improve with fitness once his muscles are stronger. Is he lame on it after it slips?
 
gingerthing said:
it sounds like it could be a stifle problem/weakness, have the old owners encountered it at all? It may well improve with fitness once his muscles are stronger. Is he lame on it after it slips?
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The people i bought him off were selling on behalf of someone else. The owners weren't very helpful and the sellers did not mention any issues of slipping - But from experience sellers tell you very little!!! I have also discovered since having him home that he field hops over electric fencing and even cleared the 4ft6 tall post with double fencing last week!!! lol.

He is not lame at all after he slips and he only slips once in a while and never twice in on one working session.

xxx
 
With regards to shoes- if not needed, take them off- I just meant don't take them off with regards to the slipping.

From the sounds of it, I would think that as the back strengthens the slipping should stop :-D

Lots and lots of walking and hills I'm afraid!!!
 
OWLIE185 said:
I would be tempted to get the vet out and check the horse out.
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Ditto that

Was he vetted? Could be loads of things like ataxia (wobblers), OCD, locking stifles or just weakeness behind from being out of work as well as obviously the fact that its muddy and slippery :p! I had a horse with ataxia and he could quite easily clear a 6ft fence and 5ft with riders on no problems, the only signs of ataxia was that he was wobbly and weak behind but an MRI confirmed it.
 
Thanks again everyone for your replies. Its been a great help.

The vet is out for my youngster on Friday so she can look at him too just to be sure.

xxx
 
Are we to assume he has road nails in ??If not ,there`s your answer;would never hack on roads without either road nails or road studs,way too dangerous.
 
EAST KENT said:
Are we to assume he has road nails in ??If not ,there`s your answer;would never hack on roads without either road nails or road studs,way too dangerous.
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I don't hack on roads. Have only been hacking around our fields on site and working him lightly in the sand school

xxx
 
My horse is barefoot Blondie, I have no inclination to put shoes on because of this because he's very surefooted normally, it's just that sometimes his hinds slip as you describe. If it was down to him being barefoot I'd expect all his feet to slip.
 
My part loan horse slips behind when her feet are too long - yours might simply need to see the farrier. Unless the horse is lame or uncomfortable (in which case obviously call the vet) then I would have the farrier out first and go from there.
 
Steorra said:
My part loan horse slips behind when her feet are too long - yours might simply need to see the farrier. Unless the horse is lame or uncomfortable (in which case obviously call the vet) then I would have the farrier out first and go from there.
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This is what i'm hoping. Farrier is out Saturday and vet is not coming for my other gee gee next week now so if no improvement after farrier i'll get the vet to check him.

Thanks everyone for your help

xxx
 
I wouldn't get too carried away and worry too much until your farrier has been, talk it through with him.

Then see if there is any difference in the next month, could be that your cob needs to trimmed and shod quite differently to how he's been done in the past, but you won't see any sudden changes over night, it will take time if this is the case.

Your farrier will be able to tell you from looking at the wear of the hoof or the shoe how he's moving.

However it would be wise to have his back checked, it doesn't cost the earth and if anything it will give you peace of mind, if there is any minor problems, they can be sorted along with a fresh pair of feet.

Horses can still still slip sometimes even on the grass.
 
Hi there, it was a while since you posted this message but I was wondering how your gelding was doing? If he's still not quite right and you don't feel like you've got an answer then get in-touch (I have a horse who has the similar symptoms - he also stands squiffy all the time - it's mild ataxia and caused by arthritis in his neck).
best wishes
Sharon


Blondie1 said:
Hi,

I wondered if anyone could help. I have recently bought a 14.2hh Welsh D Gelding. He was overweight when i bought him and also unfit and un-balanced.

He is on a strict diet and working on building his fitness etc up slowly.

Sometimes he will slip a little with his hind legs underneath him. This has happened whilst leading in hand and also riding in walk and trot but only happens every now and then.

Farrier is out on Saturday - and he is shod all round.

I just wasn't sure if anyone might know why he is slipping. Is it a sign that he needs the farrier? Is it just because he is overweight, unfit and un-balanced? Or is it something else?

Also, depending on the replies i was thinking when the Farrier comes to either just put front shoes on - if that might help? Or should i go barefoot with him? Will either of these help with slipping or should i stick with shod all round?

any help, suggestions, experiences appreciated : )

Thanks xxx
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