Potential New Horse - Trot issue?

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GoneWithTheWind

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29 February 2016
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Hi All,

I'm looking to get another horse after recently retiring mine. I've found one i really like but needed a bit of advice.

When i went to try him i noticed he swings his front left leg outwards in walk and trot but was fine in canter, it seemed to improve slightly the more he was schooled but im not sure if there is an issue there? He also has a very short trot and more 'jogs' than trots but im not sure if thats an age thing with him only being 4?

Any advice or past experiences would be appreciated.
 
As in dishing? Whats his foot balance like? It can sometimes be improved with very careful trimming. Some horses just do it though. I'd be slightly wary as its only one leg and the reluctance to go forward in trot. Could you lunge to see what its like without a rider?
 
Might be more pain or stiffness if he's short in the trot. Is he the same when lunged? Would get him vetted and see what they say personally, but you may be wasting your money unfortunately if they find the problem and it can't be fixed.
 
The leg swinging will be some form of dish. You need to evaluate the limb, foot balance and how the foot hits the floor to be able to give consideration to it being a problem longer term.

The short trot is impossible to comment on. Could be a multitude of things.

If you are thinking of buying this horse then I’d get an experienced instructors opinion first and then a vetting.
 
As mentioned above, the swinging is "dishing" which can be harmless and sometimes seen as desirable in some spanish and cob breeds according to my farrier, (each to their own) however it can cause issues as shown in the eventing mare at my yard, she has splints all the way along her dishing leg! not that it's ever made her lame, but it doesn't look pretty in the dressage and one is very close to the knee which may have caused some soreness we think. The short trot could be anything from poor schooling to severe pain, impossible to tell without seeing it and quite possibly still impossible to tell even after seeing it without the correct diagnostics! But I'd want a 4yo to be moving freely and forwards in a relaxed manner, so I'd personally avoid by the sounds of it.
 
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