Wonky hips- what could the limitations be?

[PapaFrita]

PF broke her pelvis as a wee young thing and has wonky hips (one pokes out a bit more than the other- I forget which) These have never caused her any problems and very few people have noticed (it's much more obvious when she's skinny) but I was wondering how this could limit her movement-wise. She leg yields, does flying changes, etc but is a bit stiffer on the left rein sometimes. Obviously I'm aware that most if not all horses are one-sided to some degree, but was curious as to whether her hips would affect this (I would've thought it would as perhaps she can step under better on one side than the other) Any ideas? Try not to scare me please!

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I would imagine that the movement is bound to be affected to some degree. The hips are the mainframe for the rear end to work off so following a break, & from what you are saying it has healed slightly out of line, that the miovement is bound to be affected. To what degree can only really be ascertained by you. You know how she moves & you can compare it to another horse's movement which hasn't has that injury. It sounds as if she moves pretty well anyway so at the present I wouldn't have many worries.

There is however a possibility in later life that there may be an arthritis problem which is very often linked with a trauma injury in earlier years.

You may get a more definitive answer in the veterinary section or PM Star who I believe is a vet. In the meantime enjhoy you horse.

 

[TinselRider]

There's a horse at my yard who has unlevel hips........she jumps 1m40 with ease. She has regular back checks to make sure there is no stifness on either side.

her hips probably will play a role in her stifness but just work her in slowly and thoroughly (which I'm sure you do allready) and you should be fine. As long as she is not in any pain then I wouldn't worry too much

 

[seabiscuit]

Yes, technically that could be causing problems but must have only be a tiny fracture? Well having seen the photos/videos of PF, do not think it would be bothering her in the slightest looking at the way she is able to jump and move. I would not be worried. I think that there are plenty of horses around that have never broken anything that seem to have far more chronic ongoing painfull problems.Do not think that PF has any limitations at all! She jumps brilliantly, she does her flying changes and leg yielding, she moves well, if she is slightly one sided think that is only normal. As long as she continues to use herself well and still has that lovely bascule over a fence, and does not nap or show resistance she is physically in excellent condition and therefore these hips should never really be a problem...

A lot of racehorses suffer from fractured pelvises and go on to race successfully for many years. We had a polo pony that had a seriously broken pelvis as a youngster and was my brothers favourite and was still playing well at medium goal aged 20.

 

[PapaFrita]

Don't know how serious a fracture it was. In fact, even though her trainer told me about it straight away, it was a rather long time before I really noticed that her hips are unlevel. There is more resistance (just a very small amount) on the left than right, but it could just be the normal one-sidedness most horses have, couldn't it? She's much, much straighter than both of BOF's horses I've ridden this week and more flexible too.
Thanks Forrest

 

[Puppy]

I had a little 14.2 with the same thing who could jump over 5ft and outrun my ex race horse!! Sure it could cause arthritis later in life, but the horse I'm thinking of didn't seem to get stiff there; he had more problem with a dodgy knee. I don't think you should worry about it