Would welcome your thoughts on this...

Sunny08

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I have already written this out but HHO lost it :-(

I would really welcome other peoples views on the following.
I brought my horse as a bit of a fun project a couple of months ago. she hadn't done much for a while and hadn't been schooled for years. My plan was to basically 'dressage' her back up and sell her on, not really with profit in mind but to have a horse whilst on maternity leave and the owner was very keen for her to go.
Anyway as we have increased length and intensity of her workload a problem is emerging. Her schooling was dreadful, but as we worked her right rein improved dramatically but the left rein remained an issue. I had her back checked and no problems were found and her teeth were recently checked as well. On her left hind she has a very large double wingall and a large splint. It feels to me as if this leg is the issue. At first my instructor and I thought this was a schooling issue but basically she really struggles on the left rein, struggles to trot a circle and only will bend in the neck (this is a huge improvement from the running out through the shoulder so much we ended up about 20m away from where we started!). She struggles to get the left canter lead on a circle but is ok on the straight.
I got her filmed and it is almost as if she swings the left hind out in a semi circle rather than stepping forwards on to it.
My plan was to sell her on and have a really nice lady interested but I cannot morally sell her whilst I have this niggle. She is 16.3hh middle weight WB, 11yr old. The only other things which is helping to ring alarm bells is that she has been passed on a lot over the years even though she is an extremely sweet, loving mare which the most novice rider could hack out on.
I do have the vet coming out tomorrow but would welcome others views and experiences if you would share them.
I am concerned about OCD or similar....
 
It's the 'swinging the left hind out in a semi-circle' which makes me think that you might be dealing with an issue somewhere 'higher up'; perhaps stifle, hip or sacro-illiac.

Hope you get some helpful diagnosis from the vet.
 
If she is sweet to handle and is a safe sane and sensible hack then she has a value as a hack - there have been no end of threads recently about people being unable to find a decent hacking horse. So provided it is not affecting her soundness then I'd be inclined to reconsider the market you're aiming her at and find her a home with someone who wants a nice easy horse to hack out.
 
If she is sweet to handle and is a safe sane and sensible hack then she has a value as a hack - there have been no end of threads recently about people being unable to find a decent hacking horse. So provided it is not affecting her soundness then I'd be inclined to reconsider the market you're aiming her at and find her a home with someone who wants a nice easy horse to hack out.

She has never been unsound. And yes as a hack she is by far the safest horse I have ever ridden, the other day we got stuck between a lorry, a combine and cement mixer and she very sweetly weaved her way happily through them all without batting an eyelid. You can push her into a gallop touch the reins for walk and she comes back immediatly and calmly. I adore her really! If I can't get what I want for her I'll keep her myself as a hack.
 
Swinging the outside hind on a circle is a symptom of psd in the hind leg. This also ties in with the canter issue. If its minor and bi lateral then they Don't look lame.
 
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