What do you think?? some ideas please ! ( schooling/confirmation?)

[mickey17]

Just thought i would see what ideas where out there that could possibly help my boy. He is a little bit different in his action on his right hind, the difference does seem to vary from being totally unnoticeable to little more obvious. He tends to step under a bit less, prehaps drag the toe occasionally out hacking generally looks bit lazy and sometimes turns quarters a bit which saddler today thought was something to do with it. He has had a past hock injury ( bout 3 years ago, was not lame on it at time but had a bit of floating bone which was operated on for safe side) passes flexion tests etc. vets dont seem concerned as horse is moving quite freely forward and isnt lame at all. About 9 months ago a back lady adjusted his pelvis that crippled him behind ( it did effect this right leg more but was effecting both legs ) for weeks no one knew what was wrong with him till another back lady came out, re adjusted him and explained that his confirmation in pelvis isnt symetrical ( god sorry my spelling is naff, mind not working properly tonight!!) and that there will always be a slight difference in appearance from behind , but didnt feel it would effect him as it wasnt un common, to cut a long story short, after weeks of lameness he was sound next day and has been since. Not sure what could help?? He has built up muscle a lot in last 9 months, back lady says pelvis is much stronger and stable. Im not sure if its a habit or he is stiff or something more sinister hiding waiting to jump out! He can work it ( has no problem flexing on tight circles etc) and as i say some days its barely noticeable and i havent worried about it for a long time till saddler noticed it yesterday during a trial of new saddle, although she said it was much better today. Worried its the next thing to hold us back from affiliating! Any suggestions for prehaps building up that leg? any similar experiences?? sorry long post! one panicing horse owner!

 

[mickey]

I wonder if it is some kind of arthritic problem, perhaps in the hock. I personally would trot your horse on concrete/tarmac in a straight line and look for any irregularity, then lunge in trot on the same surface for a few rotations. Look for any irregularity in rhythm. The shortness of stride can be associated with spavin. (not saying it IS spavin in this case).
Does the problem reduce after exercise? If it gets better this further supports the spavin hypothesis. Of course, it could be many other things. If unsure I would call the vet who will view movement and may carry out diagnostic procedures.
Hope it all works out, it may be nothing to worry about in the end.

 

[mickey17]

Vets ruled out spavin when he was lame, they say his 100% sound now and has been for quite a while and they thought it was just his action . as with regards to work if his forward and working no signs of it, it only seems to occur if his not concentrating or being lazy and i have never noticed it at all when his playing in the field! not sure if he learnt to go that way when he had problem all those years back and its stuck???? wonder what exercises would see if i could strenghen that right side up?

 

[mickey]

It is probable that the previous hock injury is still having some effect and even influencing the pelvis.

I'd keep up regular physio/back treatment to keep things loose - this will be more important if you start ramping up the difficulty/intensity of your schooling.

A good exercise to engage the right hock would be on the right rein turning down the 3/4 line and asking for a leg yield back to the track. This is a good exercise for engaging the inside - IE right hock. Do it on the other leg too.

Lunging or riding over poles on the ground or raised poles can help get the hindleg working too.

Smaller circles spiralling out again to a larger 20m circle and back in again should also engage inside hind leg.

Also remember TRANSITIONS. Always very important.

Good luck.

Take this schooling gradually so your horse gets stronger at his own pace rather than rushing and creating a problem.