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Horses hind legs are stiff

2K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  SlideStop 
#1 ·
I'm looking after a horse for four weeks and I rode it for the first time last night I realised that when it was verry stiff in its hind as we'll as being foot saw. And when being ridden she isn't using her hind as much as she should and is veru difficult to get into canter. She is a 11 year old x race horse and is in good condition other than her hind. Need help!!
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#7 ·
There are a couple of things that you can do with your equine companion. Firstly find a new farrier...if the shoes on the horse are making him sore the farrier is doing something wrong and a better more experienced farrier is needed. Secondly if the horse is stiff in the back legs its actually better to get the horse moving so his blood flow can get to healing. If he seems stiff because of lack of work I would say take him for walks. Start out on short walks then work up to longer walks then introduce lunge/easy riding work.
The only concern I would have again would be with the shoes, also feel the horses legs and pick out the feet and feel around the hoof. If you feel heat then maybe let the horse graze for a bit while you hose his legs and hooves.
Always try to think about what horses do in the wild. Wild horses don't have the luxury of standing in a small confined space with food and water to heal. They are always moving, the herd usually lets the injured or sick become food for the predators but since we love our animals we take a little bit better care of them. The point to that statement being that if a horse was sick or injured they pretty much had to walk it off if they wanted to survive. And they did. Hope your friend feels better soon!
 
#8 ·
Thanks Rachael and if always been told if the horse is stiff do light work and put back in th field after so that's what I'm doing :) I'm not keen in the farrier I had met him a few years ago and does not seem to care just aslong as he can get the shoe on quick and then leave! I will mention getting a new farrier but there's a shortage where we live, thank you verry much :) and regarding the other people the owners said I have to ride it and when I ask about the horses hind they say ohh it's just foot saw just ignore it and ride. So I'm stuck in the middle of what to do. Thank you
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#10 ·
amyfosterkerr1997; said:
and regarding the other people the owners said I have to ride it and when I ask about the horses hind they say ohh it's just foot saw just ignore it and ride. So I'm stuck in the middle of what to do. Thank you
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I'm not sure what there is to ponder. The horse is LAME. It doesn't matter what the reasoning behind it is. Plus he isn't your horse. What if these people come home and now blame you for a lame horse? What if the horses sustained an injury while in your can and your making it worse?
And regardless, the horse is in PAIN!

Either way I think it pretty clear riding him is against your better judgement, but you want to anyway. Hence looking for affirmation to do so, or things to correct the problem. He isn't your. He's in pain. Let him be!
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