Reasons for horse tripping and difficult trot-canter transition?

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AmyJoy99

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Hi all,
It has been two weeks since we took the back shoes off of Solo. We only walked him for at least the first week on tarmac and grass, then since he seemed okay he's back trotting on roads etc.

However, when walking he fairly frequently seems to be slipping, it almost feels like one of his hind legs falls in beneath him.
Also, the first time I cantered him after taking the shoes off he began bucking (not big ones, kind of half heartedly) , this is completely out of character for him.
So I gave him about 5 or 6 days just walking and trotting again.
I tried cantering him yesterday on the headlands and he did a few very minor bucks and then wanted to go back to trot.
Today he simply wouldn't canter, and just kept speeding up his trot.
His transitions weren't that good before (ex-driving pony=hasn't done many trot to canter transitions) however he always would go into it just not very smoothly.

So my question is - could both of these issues be hoof related.
OR is it a case of him being lazy... or some other issue?
What do you think?
 
AmyJoy99 said:
Hi all,
It has been two weeks since we took the back shoes off of Solo. We only walked him for at least the first week on tarmac and grass, then since he seemed okay he's back trotting on roads etc.

However, when walking he fairly frequently seems to be slipping, it almost feels like one of his hind legs falls in beneath him.
Also, the first time I cantered him after taking the shoes off he began bucking (not big ones, kind of half heartedly) , this is completely out of character for him.
So I gave him about 5 or 6 days just walking and trotting again.
I tried cantering him yesterday on the headlands and he did a few very minor bucks and then wanted to go back to trot.
Today he simply wouldn't canter, and just kept speeding up his trot.
His transitions weren't that good before (ex-driving pony=hasn't done many trot to canter transitions) however he always would go into it just not very smoothly.

So my question is - could both of these issues be hoof related.
OR is it a case of him being lazy... or some other issue?
What do you think?
Click to expand...

He maybe still adjusting to being barefoot, check his pulse too as one here went footy and reluctant to canter and it turned out the beginning of Laminitis. What does your vet or farrier say to these symptoms? I would run it by them and also maybe your YM as they may shed some light on it too, as there could be a number or reason for tripping.
 
Mine starts bucking if his back is sore. Just like you describe, not huge, just lots of little ones when asked to canter. Its probably worth a physio check as he might be using himself a bit differently without the back shoes
 
AmyJoy99 said:
So my question is - could both of these issues be hoof related.
OR is it a case of him being lazy... or some other issue?
What do you think?
Click to expand...

Given the timing I think you have to assume they are hoof related.

IMO you will need to either re-shoe, get some boots (possibly with pads) or stop work for now until you can find and resolve the issue. Although I am a "barefooter" I would probably re-shoe in this situation just to confirm that it resolves both the issues. Also, if it doesn't resolve the issues you can then get the vet out. Unless you have a very forward-thinking vet if you get them out now they will almost certainly just say to put the shoes back on.

It is quite common for horses that have been in shoes for some time to be fine when they first come off and then get very footy a couple of weeks later for a short period. This sounds a bit different from that though, as I would expect him to be obviously cautious on rough / stony ground.

You don't say whether he was sound in shoes or whether he is a rehab case. If the latter, I would be more inclined to go down the boots and pads route.
 
Would definitely get your physio to check him over. My mare started to buck when going into canter and lose a leg behind. Had the vet and physio out and she'd pulled her thoracic and paraspinal muscles, we're currently on week 3 of a 6 - 8 week ground work plan- no ridden work at the moment 😔
 
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