Really trippy horse?

C

Chestnutter

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my TB had been living out for a few years and he was barefoot in that time, he was still in work but only in a school or on roads if hacking, he was sensitive on his feet but it was never an issue as he was always on comfortable surface and he didnt have any problems, very sore and trippy if forced to go onto rough surface but massively avoided any situations where he had to.. he's come back in as of last summer and had front shoes put on, but he's really struggling to keep his footing with all the mud and stones that are around at the moment, and the school gets really deep with all the rain and he's forever stumbling or tripping in it and it's so hard to get him going forwards nicely and focussed when he's trying so hard to just stay upright!! Hacking isn't even an enjoyable relaxing thing at the moment, wouldnt even trot him down a track as he just seems to hate being on anything that isn't road!
Even with front shoes on he's still tripping and struggling on anything even remotely stoney, i don't think having back shoes on would even make a huge difference, even in the school its not great. He's always been sensitive but im struggling to enjoy him at the mo when i'm just forever cringing for him, he tries so hard too it just breaks my heart more than anything
 
Have you had him checked by a vet ? I only ask as tripping can be a symptom of many things. My other thought is diet - is he only the "Barefoot Diet" of minimal starch and sugars ? If not, his feet could be extra sensitive (even shod).

Just thought of thrush - definitely worth having a check to see if there is any in the feet. My lad had thrush and was very sensitive.
 
My middle aged horse is similar, I suspect wear and tear is starting to rear its ugly head.
I've put him on a joint supplement and warm up thoroughly etc.
 
You could ask farrier to roll his toe then its out of way.Tripping can be something as simple as that or very serious.could ask vet. Sounds like feeling the soul of foot to bruised soul or some other reason.Again could ask vet.Good luck
 
Sorry i would really get this horse checked out sore soles and tripping.Could be number of things simple to serious.Point being i would be worried about a serious fall in mean time.
 
He's always been a bit sensitive but just seems more so recently and had been blaming the heavy mud and deep going in the school up until a few days ago when I realised it seemed worse than just the going. His feet were done just a few weeks ago but will ask farrier about rolling his toe.
He's been thrush-y in the past but no problem with it this year, guess he's not out 24/7 anymore so far more manageable thank god!
The vet's coming next week for vaccinations for him anyway so am gonna get him looked at.. he's 14 but since he's come in last summer and been more closely watched, we have noticed a few old injuries and old lumps that don't cause problems but are there nonetheless. Vet has said before he seems to have a really old injury in back/hip that does mean it takes him a while to get moving freely and he does take more warming up but with the amount he does, it's not a huge problem. He's ridden everyday and is fit and healthy but just casual hacking, schooling and jumping and nothing extremely hard or fast, and having him in in a nice warm and dry stable now means he's much more comfortable than in past years!
Back in his prime he raced, then evented and then show jumped, so he's done his bit and i feel he's enjoying (and needing!!) the slightly less competitive and intense lifestyle, like i said he does take a while to warm up and gets stiff in the cold and damp, so when the vet comes will get him to look at his hocks and back, and will probably put him on a joint supplement as i'm sure the stiffness won't be helping with the tripping.

Will look into navicular too. Thanks for all the replies :)
 
Laafet said:
The big thing that no one has mentioned is Navicular. My friends TB has just been diagnosed with this and was just as yours.
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Simple to serious was mentioned.
Dear op have you any video you can show vet of your horse on various terains so vet can see horses foot placeings trips and movements.Sometimes accessments in a school do not reveal all.
 
A thorough work up is needed, not advice on a forum. I speak from experience, I horse that trips will give you a serious fall, head first onto concrete and if you are very unlucky, like I was, the horse will fall behind you whilst you on on ground and kneel on your back.

Get off it, stay off it and get professional help with an equine vet.
 
AdorableAlice said:
A thorough work up is needed, not advice on a forum. I speak from experience, I horse that trips will give you a serious fall, head first onto concrete and if you are very unlucky, like I was, the horse will fall behind you whilst you on on ground and kneel on your back.

Get off it, stay off it and get professional help with an equine vet.
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i totally agree look at my previous post i put get checked out i would be worried about a serious fall in the mean time is what i put.I asked if you ( had) any video of your horse.Not to go make one .This is very good advise.
 
How old is the horse?

The thrush and sensitivity could be early cushings, blood test are cheap so worthwhile considering that. In many cases using Prascend has a magical effect and if you catch it early then management is much easier.

If the horse has a low action, then shoes would just make it worse, so can you go back to barefoot?

just a couple more things to add into the pot.
 
How are you doing i hope you are both ok pls update us when you have some news.Thinking of you and wishing you well.
 
The one and only time I had an issue with a horse tripping, it was saddle fit. She had grown out of it, it was cramping her shoulders and she wasn't moving out, so was tripping. Ended up with both of us on the ground and cracked ribs for me. Just something else for you to add to your list of things to check. Good luck.
 
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