Taking one step shorter than the other with hind legs, racehorses

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marshdaisy

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Not sure if this is right place to post this, but seems to be all sorts of questions so will try it! Just interest really - I've noticed when watching racehorses go round in the parade ring before a race that some of them take a shorter step with one hind leg than the other. Obviously they are thought sound enough to run etc, so was wondering about the significance of this??? It's not just racers of course - a friend's horse does it as well, always has as long as she's known him, to no apparent detriment. Any ideas about what causes this (born with one joint a bit 'tighter'??) or whether it has any effect on the horse's ability or soundness?
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hmmm well my ex-racer does this but hes got dodgy pelvis.

they do walk oddly but think its because their legs are just so long! mine has to actually bend one of his front legs or put it out to one side to graze because his legs are so out of proportion to the rest of his body!
 
it could be because of the way they race round the track i.e. if its mostly racing on the left rein that may affect it, my friend had a pony racer- a small TB that didnt grow and it did this because it had preety much always raced on the right rein.... just a thought
 
Well he's def not a racer, but my youngster moves his left hind in a funny way, kind of brings it forward a bit squint rather than staight. My instructor who picked up on it is a dressage judge and i had never noticed it before, but she said nothing to worry about, a number of things could have caused it from the way he was positioned in the womb to he could have twisted/sprained it as a baby! She would know if it was gonna cause him problens as she specialises in backs so am not worried!
 
hiya, if the horse is otherwise completely sound in trot etc and just takes a shorter step in the walk, then the more likely cause is tension. My eventer used to do it...I had the vet all over her and he told me that. Apparently its quite common!

Ally
 
Could it be the way they are going around a parade ring as in turning a circle as such - i have worked with racers ( i have an exracer) most of my life and have noticed this in the paddock but not down at the start .

Sharonxx
 
Thanks for the input. The ones I have seen did the short step thing on straight lines as well as circle, but you're right - going round in the paddock could affect it.
Ally, that's interesting about your eventer, and the vet checking him out but finding nothing wrong. I take it he never actually had a problem with that leg?
Thanks
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