Would you ride a horse that wasn't 100% level?

Tiffany

Tiffany

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I'm not the best rider in the world but I can always feel when my saddle isn't quite right or my mare isn't quite right and if there's a problem I don't ride until sorted. Having said that, I was at a competition on Saturday and was surprised at how many horses looked slightly unlevel IMO.

I just got wondering if that was their 'normal' way of going or, whether riders just carry on because they are only about 1/10th lame?

Would you continue riding a horse felt slightly unlevel?

:)
 
If i knew the cause and that it wasn't in pain. For example if it was stiffness due to arthritis or an old injury. I would want to know why though.

In my experience a lot of people, even who have been riding for a long time, can't tell when a horse is slightly lame. I think i can to the point where i sometimes imagine it.
 
Since getting into showjumping a few years ago I realised that most horses appear unlevel like humans, no-one is perfect.. If they're in severe pain or unhappy it's a problem but I guess for some of them it;s just their way of going especially the gangly, late developing bigger warmbloods;) mine was 2/10ths lame and was raring to jump his classes and the top horse at the yard was said to be the same but jumped 150s with no issues :)xx
 
Depends.

I know I am another who is so paranoid I imagine lameness.

There is a lady at my yard who is riding her horse who I would say is about 2/3 10ths lame - but before you jump to conclusions it's complicated and under vet instruction. So in this situation, I would.

I also think it depends on the nature of the lameness, and ultimately the vets opinion. If it was all oked by a vet I trusted, I'd do so for light work. I don't think I could compete one though.
 
The majority of horses are not 100% level, so like you said it is just their normal way of going and it would only be if they deviated from that there would be a problem, as long as it was only low level lameness. But if a horse felt wrong I would not ride them without investigating it first.
 
It would depend on the cause really, if it was a mechanical lameness rather than a pain issue and exercise was beneficial under vets instructions then yes I probably would.

Without knowing the cause then no, I wouldn't.
 
I'm currently riding my friends horse who isn't 100% level but on the instructions of the vet and the chiro. I certainly wouldn't take her to a show but they've said that its better for her to be in regular light work to maintain a level of fitness and suppleness while her problems are being sorted.
 
In the past I would always have said no, even if the horse wasn't in pain.

I'm currently riding my boy on the vets (Rossdales) advice as he is recovering from a ddft injury on a hind leg. I've been told that he will never be sound (2 10th's lame in trot) but that I need to ride him walk and trot during the recovery period to stop any adhesions forming and that he will benefit from light hacking in the future.

He has really enjoyed being ridden again so I'm no longer sure of my views on this subject.

Given this I would have thought very light hacking would be fine for a horse that was unlevel with the vets agreement but not much else.
 
The little TB of mine is unlevel, not lame but certainly unlevel, if you look at her front end from the front, she's actually got one leg slightly longer than the other.

Doesn't stop her from galloping around the field like a loon, enjoying being hacked out and taking part in the odd low level competition.

Just because she's not built perfectly, it would be shame for her to be written off as a companion only.
 
I would depending on whether I knew why it was unlevel or not. I don't like riding horses that are noticably lame which they make you do at college, however unlevel horses from their way of going or from an old injury that will not be affect i don't see a problem IMO
 
Wonder what a judge's view would be at dressage or showing comp? I noticed a few unlevel horses on Saturday and I obviously don't know if it's their normal way of going and neither would the judge. None of them were pulled up or asked to leave the ring. Maybe there was a comment on the test sheets. Difficult call I suppose? :)
 
My mare is slightly unlevel behind with mild arthrithus but I hunt her every week with the bloodhounds so she is doing a fair amount of jumping, she is kept very fit with daily hacking, she has danilon when needed and lives out so keep stiffness at bay, this started when she was seven, so what do you do, keep them as a pasture pet ? having said that i wouldnt attempt any competion apart from HTs
 
A difficult one.
If horse is in pain, no, not even on pain maskers.

But, our mare got diagnosed with rotation in both front feet (very mildly) and 5 months, two amazing vets and one fantastic farrier later she is properly shod and rideable again.
However she takes a while to warm and loosen up (not normal) and is still lame in trot (very slightly). The farrier AND vet agree on us hacking her in walk as much as possible as she is difficult to handle on foot and she is very lively! She is coping perfectly fine with her hacking and we are hoping to have a sound trot soon too.
K x
 
It depends on the situation, I own a little ex polo tb mare, about 19 years old, who is noticeably lame in trot , this is purely mechanical as a result of old polo injuries/ bad conformation/ her action. However the said mare hunts each winter once or twice a month, pops a small fence or two and is happy as anything and more than willing to work. So why should she not be allowed to work? If it causes her no pain I see no problem with letting her continue with work if she is still enjoying it.
 
If I could feel my horse wasn't completely right, I would stop and investigate and pull out or correct it appropriately. It's the same with tack. Even if I'm running late for a lesson, I will always move the saddle so it is sitting correctly. There are always other times to compete, why risk it if your horse isn't feeling 100%? xx
 
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