Welsh A not fully extending from shoulders

teddysheep

teddysheep

...
Joined
24 November 2005
Messages
72
Visit site
Hi everyone, thoughts gratefully welcomed on this. I have 11yr Welsh A, shown in hand this yr. Have a prob with him, he is just not extending fully as he used to from the shoulders in trot - VERY hard to describe without seeing him, is not lame, just doesn't have that fluent 'welsh' action. Now he WAS very slightly 'off' in trot early this yr on right rein only - he is dreadful without shoes, so had him shod, much better but still he is very slightly I would call stiff, hard to notice if you don't know the pony.
He is shod regularly BUT I'm not especially happy with it (any suggestions for farriers in Hexham/Northumberland area??!!) always too much toe left on for my liking, so knowing most probs start in the foot I am thinking whether this is the first place to start?
Also thinking is it worth trying a physio? I hope this is all making sense, it's just so annoying because the pony isn't overtly lame, nor really stiff, he's just 'not right', he's not moving freely in front its' like something's preventing that lovely free forward action he had.
Thanks
 
If he is dreadful without shoes that is saying there is something not right in his feet, especially as a section A his feet aren't carrying a great deal of weight. I'd be suspecting mild laminitis and addressing his diet first.
 
Gloi said:
If he is dreadful without shoes that is saying there is something not right in his feet, especially as a section A his feet aren't carrying a great deal of weight. I'd be suspecting mild laminitis and addressing his diet first.
Click to expand...

Thanks eveyrone,
no he isn't fat, I purposefully keep him if anything a little on the lean side in view of laminitis. I had my mind almost made up anyway on a vet visit but just wanted a bit of valued input! Going to post on the regional boards though to see if anyone can recommend a diff farrier near me.
 
Hi,
I would defo test for EMS........ my cob had what you described and after tearing out my hair and buying a wig...(xrays came up negative for everything)....I had the test done......OMG....off the scale!
So...massive diet adjustment...totally different management regime..et viola...I have my pony back:)
Worth a try?
Best of luck
Bryndu
 
I am soon to have my Haffie tested for EMS as despite being much slimmer than previously and fed only soaked hay, bare paddock and no sugar chaff with supplement, she's become a little unfree as you say in front action, vet has recommended testing for EMS as looking at pony she should not be struggling.

The tests are apparently much improved recently so are a lot more diagnostic ie fewer false negative results, and medication can make it a lot easier to manage Pony's condition and much less likely to get low grade laminitis.
 
What feed is he on (including vits/mins/balancer) and how much of the recommended daily ration of each?

I agree with others that there could be a variety of causes.

Has anything changed about his management over the months before you noticed a change in his action?

Sarah
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top