Weird Lameness in TB

[PercyMum]

My ex-racer is coming along really well. Doing lots of Pessoa work and hacking out with her in hand. All going very well. However, I have noticed that she looks lame on the lunge (right rein only) but only very slightly, and only because she nods her head a bit. Fine on the left rein most of the time. There is no heat or swelling and she is keen to work and is sound as anything in a straight line. She is 100% sound in walk and canter on both reins. I did the tendon test thing and there was no reaction at all. She retired sound and never had any lameness issues whilst in training. If she puts her head down and works in an outline, again, she looks sound, especially when she sits back on her hocks more.

When I have ridden her-sound. Physio couldn't find any sore spots and was amazed that she had raced as she was so limber. Farrier said feet are fine. So I'm stumped! I'll call the vet if I have but I wondered if this was an ex-racer thing and once she is more balanced the nodding will stop?

Hope that makes sense!!! Posted in Vet too as I'd really appreciate people's thoughts as to what this could be. Will prob call vet on monday anyway but would like to know if anyone else has seen this.

 

[ImmyS]

I have exactly the same thing with my ex racer mare except the opposite rein, she is sound as a pound on a straight line and right rein however can seem ever so slightly lame on her left rein when not working forward. Again we have found her to have no health issues. I really believe that many ex racers are just very one sided due to being raced in one direction! And so once she is more balanced and her bad side has been strengthened I think she will be fine! Good luck with your horsey and I hope nothing is wrong health wise! xx

 

[PercyMum]

I have exactly the same thing with my ex racer mare except the opposite rein, she is sound as a pound on a straight line and right rein however can seem ever so slightly lame on her left rein when not working forward. Again we have found her to have no health issues. I really believe that many ex racers are just very one sided due to being raced in one direction! And so once she is more balanced and her bad side has been strengthened I think she will be fine! Good luck with your horsey and I hope nothing is wrong health wise! xx

I wondered if it was lop-sidedness too. I'm not trying to avoid getting the vet but don't want to call the vet to tell me that she just a wonky ex-racer that needs time. However, although her legs and body look sound, i was always taught that if a horse nods, it's lame. But I can't see where she's lame!!

 

[ImmyS]

Yes it's a tricky situation, I would just have a chat with your vet over the phone, but if your horse isn't showing any signs of pain and is willing to work the I would carry on working her to build up the muscle and see if she improves, if she doesn't then look further into it! Good luck!