What could this be?

C

CracklinRosie

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I'll try to explain this as best I can!

Horse seems to be taking tiny steps in front, without saddle(so not the problem).

She is not lame and she will stride out when asked. Been checked for signs of laminitis by the blacksmith and there's nothing obvious, no other signs either.

She has been out of work for a while and was in pretty poor condition when she came to this country.

Now she's in good condition but coud do with a little more topline. She works quite nicely when she's asked to.

She needs confidence from the rider and will coninue to short stride unless given confidence.

Back and teeth both done recently and limbs all clean.

She's a 17hh TB ex racer.

Sorry if this post is a bit all over the place but wanted to get all the facts down.

confused.gif
 
My ex racehorse (came out of training in April) shortens up hugely when going down even a tiniest slope on tarmac or concrete in walk because he's not used to it. Is the ground slippery where you've been walking? Just an idea.
 
Ah if she only does it in walk, then most likely she is just being overly cautious. Perhaps she has slipped and fallen before?
 
She hasn't fallen to my knowledge and has been very sure footed over some pretty rough terrain but she came from Turkey and isn't used to cobble stones or tarmac. She is a little short in front in the paddock but it's really slippy and muddy, also something she's not used to.
 
Well you can never be certain, but to me it just sounds like she is being very careful in her new environment.

Over here, we have blistering hot summers where the ground dries up and becomes hard as a brick. My guys run around like loons at this time of year - however the moment we have our first snow and ice in the winter, they all tippy-toe around the place for the next 5 months. Mine are exceedingly careful during winter time and they all walk short then.

I don't think I'd worry too much but I would keep an eye on her just to make sure there isn't something underlying. She sounds interesting - any full shot photos of her?
 
I would get her looked at by a vet, so that her feet can be xrayed. Being a TB it's quite likely that she has "long toe, low heel" syndrome and this could be giving her heel pain and making her short stride. It's a conformational issue but once you know the problem, corrective shoeing can work wonders. Of course it may be something else, but it's quite a common thing in TBs (including my own).
 
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