Summer and lack of performance

[Bea_millard]

So, this is a bit of a long story.

It’s my second summer with one of my ponies and I have started noticing a bit of a decrease in performance. He’s crooked and not wanting to go forward, unless jumping or hacking. I was getting myself in a right state worrying about it, but something came up on my memories which was interesting. Around this time last year, he was going through the same sort of behaviour.

I called the vet out last year, but they didn’t find anything physically wrong with him. He’s had his saddle fitted recently (though I think it’s too wide as comes up quite a bit when jumping so have contacted them) and had his back and teeth checked.

Is it possible that this type of behaviour is linked to grass rather than a physical issue?

 

[ihatework]

More than possible.
A couple of summer things that can make horses ‘stuffy’ or lacking performance are metabolic/low grade laminitis and/or allergy/hay fever type symptoms.

 

[Bea_millard]

More than possible.
A couple of summer things that can make horses ‘stuffy’ or lacking performance are metabolic/low grade laminitis and/or allergy/hay fever type symptoms.

Thank you - I thought I was being silly for questioning this as the obvious thing to think when they’re displaying these symptoms is hind leg issues (which was my immediate thought last year but the fact it’s happened again around the same time of year!).

 

[GoldenWillow]

The first and for the first summer the only sign my cob had summer allergies was that he was less forward and a 'running out petrol' feeling. It was only discovered after a BAL as scope showed up clear twice. He was never crooked though and the same whether schooling or hacking.

 

[Wheels]

Allergies, weight gain, low grade laminitis can all have an effect.

 

[bouncing_ball]

Thin soles and harder ground? Slightly bruised feet? If barefoot see if longer stride with pads duct taped to feet as test? If good result consider riding in hoof boots with pads.

if shod ask farrier if has thin / sensitive sole. and discuss using pads under Shoes whilst ground hard.

 

[Bea_millard]

Allergies, weight gain, low grade laminitis can all have an effect.

After having read a lot about sub clinical laminitis I think that’s a possibility. Would my farrier have not picked this up though? Or are the signs too subtle that unless I pointed it out he might miss it?

 

[Bea_millard]

The first and for the first summer the only sign my cob had summer allergies was that he was less forward and a 'running out petrol' feeling. It was only discovered after a BAL as scope showed up clear twice. He was never crooked though and the same whether schooling or hacking.

He is on Omega’s respirair boost as I thought he might have allergies due to head shaking and “sneezing on hacks. He’s always been slightly crooked to be honest so it might just be exaggerated by his lack of performance

 

[Wheels]

After having read a lot about sub clinical laminitis I think that’s a possibility. Would my farrier have not picked this up though? Or are the signs too subtle that unless I pointed it out he might miss it?

It can be as little as being a little more footy on stones or a few shuffley steps going downhill.

 

[Bea_millard]

It can be as little as being a little more footy on stones or a few shuffley steps going downhill.

I didn’t realise it could be that subtle! I’ve no experience with laminitis, as you can probably tell. But he’s ripe for it - he’s put on weight recently and so now has a grazing muzzle. He didn’t last year and did get quite chunky.

 

[IrishMilo]

When you say he's crooked, what do you mean exactly?

Are you feeding enough salt?

 

[Bea_millard]

When you say he's crooked, what do you mean exactly?

Are you feeding enough salt?

So on the right rein, he’s bent to the outside. It’s getting better in trot with schooling but still quite bad in canter.

He doesn’t have any added salt to his diet. So that could be a good place to start

 

[IrishMilo]

So on the right rein, he’s bent to the outside. It’s getting better in trot with schooling but still quite bad in canter.

He doesn’t have any added salt to his diet. So that could be a good place to start

I'd say that sounds more of a physical issue. Has he always had that problem or only through the summer? Can he comfortably stretch each way when doing carrot stretches?

 

[Bea_millard]

I'd say that sounds more of a physical issue. Has he always had that problem or only through the summer? Can he comfortably stretch each way when doing carrot stretches?

Yeah he’s comfortable doing carrot stretches both ways. I think the crookedness might be a hangover from his old saddle being too tight, which of course happened last year when he gained weight (we just didn’t buy a new one, just altered the gullet). I just mentioned it because it happened last year too and was mentioned in the memory I found on my socials

 

[The unicorn]

I actually have the same problem with my horse . Turn out to be a muscle problem in her hind end I got a physio to fix the issue and she has been brilliant every since. Is your horse overweight when they are fat they can get exercise intolerance due to the heat .

 

[Bea_millard]

I actually have the same problem with my horse . Turn out to be a muscle problem in her hind end I got a physio to fix the issue and she has been brilliant every since. Is your horse overweight when they are fat they can get exercise intolerance due to the heat .

He’s had a physio check at the start of this month and I’ve contacted my physio as I did wonder if it’s muscular