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Lazy horse...

2K views 16 replies 6 participants last post by  Change 
#1 ·
Hey guys! I think my issue requires you to know my story so I will give you some background info.
I have a 7 y/o TB x paint gelding. He had a bad stifle injury when he was 2 (I was told by one vet to send him to the glue factory, it was pretty bad!!). I wasn't willing to give up on him because he was so great. He had about 1.5 year break, at a vet's recommendation I hand walked him for exercise, and let kids love on him (working at a summer camp at the time:)). Well, after that break I started riding him very lightly at first, flat ground, trails, etc.
3 years later he is a phenomenal trail horse, not too fearful, I suspect that was all the time at camp with crazy children. He is still mildly stiff in his right stifle joint and at the walk sometimes will lose it out from underneath him, know how sometimes when you're walking your knee gives out for a second? Kind of feels like that. Other than that it doesn't seem to bother him at all.
I have recently begun trying to do a little more technical stuff with him. I have been afraid to push him too hard because of his injury, he was basically on 3 legs for the better part of a year. I've been working on strengthening him on his right lead in the round pen, but he refuses to pick it up under saddle. He is a very chill, lazy horse. I know he has another gear because he can really turn the speed on when he wants to, but I am just not sure how to tap into that.
I had him at a fun show (games in the arena) last weekend and watching the video of him, holy cow he looks like he's hardly even moving. Like I said I know he has more because I've been on him when he turns it up. I am just wondering if anyone has any idea how to bring out that kind of energy? He seems to just be getting lazier as time goes on.
If anyone has thoughts about the right lead thing I would be open to listening, I've worked him in the round pen on his right lead, asked for the lope turning into a corner, loped him in very tight circles hoping he'd get tired of going right on his left lead, no dice.
He has no professional training, I have done everything myself and I am a backyard rider, nothing fancy coming from me. :)
 
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#2 ·
Honestly it really sounds like the stifle may be bothering him. Just because he does it at liberty doesn't mean it's as easy with tack and a rider on.

I would not push him hard.

Has he had a complete vet exam of the stifle and is cleared for work?

I'm not saying he's not lazy (which you can search some good advise for on here) but I am much more concerned about the stifle since the injury was that bad and more importantly there are visible effects from it, even 3 years later..

For now I would stick with walking on the trails (letting him do what he wants by the sound of it lol) and not even worry about anything else until the vet absolutely convinces me otherwise. Honestly, if he is "losing it" even for a second on the trails I may not even ride him there. Just groundwork.
 
#4 ·
The reason that I don't feel it is a big deal is because that dropping out thing never happens at any other gait other than the walk. I've never seen it happen at the trot or lope. He never fights me when I ask for his gaits, never bobs his head, never balks at anything, he just won't give me more speed. I have worked him quite a bit on trails on all kinds of terrain, he loads fine, swims great, round pens like a champ, and is all around a super fun horse! I will say he doesn't like me stretching that leg back too far so I know that it's not all perfect in there. The farrier was out a couple months ago and fought him a little for that leg and he may have tweaked something.
I put in a call today and I am going to get him in to a vet just to make sure. We have a really good lameness vet in this area.
So if it happens that he is cleared and good from a vet's perspective -- do you guys have any more advice for me? :) I agree that it could definitely be the stifle that is bothering him and I will get him checked out. But I do think it is his personality to be a bit on the lazy side. He is such a chill dude 90% of the time, he will respond to cues for trot and lope, he just RARELY will stretch out into a gallop. He would actually make a really GREAT puppy dog... ;)
 
#6 ·
lol love the puppy comment. If riding horse doesn't work you can bring him in the house!

Again, not saying he is not lazy, just that there is obviously an issue there. It is good that it hasn't shown up at faster gaits (yet) but the fact that it shows up at all, and clearly so, even just with the farrier is concerning, esp in such a young horse. It's very concerning, period. I'd be hesitant to ask him for more. Lack of speed could very well be related even if he seems comfortable.

A bute trial may work (IF it's pain- he could have side effects other than pain, or a mechanical lameness) however, I strongly feel this horse needs a vet checkup anyways, so might as well wait and see what the vet says.

When was his last follow up? What was he cleared for?

Also, if he is respectful and does what is ask, even move to a faster gait, promptly and quietly, it could just be he doesn't want to go fast. If he is responsive to picking up a canter and just doesn't want to zoom around, maybe you should listen to him. No need to push him into something he doesn't want to do. Not saying he doesn't need to listen, just no need to turn him into a gaming horse. (Which again, with the stifle I wouldn't do anyways) Respect his personality or find a more suitable horse.

Again, you can search for advice on this forum, there are loads of threads. I personally don't want to give any advice because I feel so strongly about his leg. AFTER he is completely cleared by the vet why don't you come back with the results and ask the same question. All these turning exercises and such you're doing too may not be helping (though they would help with the lead, not saying they're unfounded.)

Not trying to be a pain, and definitely mention to the vet how slow he is. The fact that you mentioned speed sounds like he's slow even when he's trying to go faster.
 
#8 ·
I really appreciate all of your advice. I have an appointment next Weds the 20th to get him checked by the lameness specialty vet. I appreciate your concern, sometimes it's good to get another perspective to give us a firm kick in the rump ;)
I did get a video of me lunging him at all gaits and am trying to get that uploaded (country internet is lazy too) to see if anyone can see something that I can't.
It was his right that he was lame on. And I guess that I should add he was very very chill as a baby, we rode him very lightly before his injury and he was very pokey. I just thought it was most likely his age, which it definitely could have been, that he just hadn't figured the world out yet.
Anyway, will post a video when I get it up, if anyone wouldn't mind watching to see if they can see anything.
Like I said, taking him into the vet too next week! Thanks guys!:)
 
#9 ·
Yeah you have two separate issues going on. One may or may not effect the other but you obviously want him cleared before you worry about anything.

It may also effect how you ride. (Eg, I have a laminitic horse, I am careful when I ride and more relevant to my point if I ever need to get after him or something I keep in mind not to do anything that would stress his feet out).

Let us know how things go. I am genuinely interested and he sounds like a great horse. Mention the pokiness to the vet and mention the lack of a right lead. There is likely an issue on it's own (training/mental issue) but I definitely feel at least part of it is physical. (Also mention the "losing it" and farrier issues, though I'm sure you would mention that anyways)

Also keep in mind that he may just not want to be a fast horse, which is fine. (Even if cleared by the vet it will never hurt to take it easy with him!)

Looking forward to your update (and the video!)! Good luck!
 
#14 ·
Sorry for taking so long to get back, my hard drive crashed!

Thank you for the comments!!
I thought of something else, a few days before I took this video I was with some friends for the day in a deep sand arena -- I am thinking there could be some residual stiffness from working in the deep sand, he is not used to that.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Here's report from the vet --
"Shows evidence of a chronic injury to right stifle, the medial collateral and cranial crucial ligaments were injured. Radiographs show calcification of the medial collateral insertion on the distal femur and calcification or fragmentation of the cranial cruciate on the proximal tibia."
WHEW that was a mouthful.
The point is, yes it's a chronic injury and obviously still bothering him. He said he could see right away that Rio was off on that leg. He needs lots of straight work (trails, walk/trot) and limited circular/repetitive work. His prescription was to take 2 weeks off of work and trailer to Custer State Park and work him in the hills ;) AND to ride him 6+ miles a day 6 days a week... I wish!!

Anyway, I thank you guys so much for your feedback and thoughts!! :) I really truly appreciate it!

And thank you guys also for pushing me to get him checked out!
 
#16 ·
Sounds like he's getting arthritis?

So not sure what the remedy is for the pain? I get that he wants him strengthened, and hopefully that will help long term, does he think short term that the exercises for strengthening will keep away the pain (no work/circles/etc)

I like your vet haha.

I am glad you got him checked out! Now you know what you're dealing with and what to do. Not good news, but honestly I was expecting something and am definitely glad it's not worse, I was afraid it might be!

Your lovely horse has a good owner! Great match haha.

Did the vet feel the laziness was relevant? What about the lead issues?

I am sure when he feels better it will be at least somewhat less of an issue. Unfortunately sounds like some of the things you were trying (tight circles etc) are a big no, but we can work with that :)
 
#17 ·
Something not mentioned here, but might also be a factor: Think back to when you were hurt. And you healed - not completely, but functional. Then you tripped, stepped wrong, whatever and OH MY OWWWWWW NONONONONO. You were doubly cautious for even longer this time. Horses remember what hurt. He may have been partially healed, then twinged it bad, and now he's cautious - until he forgets and gets sassy and twinges it again.

Just a thought.
 
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