I wasn't sure whether I should post this in the training or health section, but I'll put it here.
As you may know, I was given a 27 year old appaloosa gelding. He has some arthritis in his knees and a bit in his hocks. His right knee is noticeably "chunkier" than his left--perhaps the remains of an old injury. Would it help to post pictures?
Anyway, he is either a testy or completely desensitized horse. He doesn't like to yield to pressure, ignores my legs (he was used for therapeutic riding), and doesn't like to stop when I'm riding him (but never runs off and he'll stop fine when leading from the ground). Is he being disrespectful or am I asking too much of him?
So we have been having troubles picking up his feet. His right front in particular. He paws out forwards when I ask (more like pull with all my might) to pick it up. He walks, trots, and canters in the pasture and it doesn't seem like he is favoring that leg (I'm not real keen at picking up slight lameness--but he is NOT limping). His other feet are hard to pick up (you've really gotta pull--you can't nicely ask him) but you can get them up.
The farrier thinks he is sore because of the extra arthritis in that knee, so I put him on a strong joint supplement and have some aspirin for longer rides and such.
Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.
As you may know, I was given a 27 year old appaloosa gelding. He has some arthritis in his knees and a bit in his hocks. His right knee is noticeably "chunkier" than his left--perhaps the remains of an old injury. Would it help to post pictures?
Anyway, he is either a testy or completely desensitized horse. He doesn't like to yield to pressure, ignores my legs (he was used for therapeutic riding), and doesn't like to stop when I'm riding him (but never runs off and he'll stop fine when leading from the ground). Is he being disrespectful or am I asking too much of him?
So we have been having troubles picking up his feet. His right front in particular. He paws out forwards when I ask (more like pull with all my might) to pick it up. He walks, trots, and canters in the pasture and it doesn't seem like he is favoring that leg (I'm not real keen at picking up slight lameness--but he is NOT limping). His other feet are hard to pick up (you've really gotta pull--you can't nicely ask him) but you can get them up.
The farrier thinks he is sore because of the extra arthritis in that knee, so I put him on a strong joint supplement and have some aspirin for longer rides and such.
Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated.