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Tripping

4K views 13 replies 11 participants last post by  Appyt 
#1 ·
My otsb gelding has a habit of tripping while he walks and sometimes when he trots. He doesn't trip while he's excited or while he's running around in the field, but he seems to only do it while he's just walking around or while I'm riding him. I've only ridden him 3 times with a saddle, so he's not exactly broke yet. It almost looks like he just flings his legs out from under him, and hopes they land on the ground. He's very choppy, lazy, and drags his feet. Someone that had watched me ride told me to put shoes on him, so he could feel the weight and hopefully pick up his feet more. If that's what he needs, I'll get him shoes but I don't exactly have $100 right now to pay for it. So any other ideas would be great! I was thinking trotting poles, a few on the ground and make him walk and trot over them? Good idea?
 
#2 ·
I would suggest trotting poles as well. One of my girls likes to drag her feet as well. The Farrier suggested to make her work over the trotting poles. It makes her learn to pull up her feet and can also build up under-developed muscles. Just be prepared for him to stumble a few times. it is different for them. Maybe try lungeing him over them to start with. Shoes arent the answer...IMO
 
#3 ·
I agree, shoes aren't the answer. Personally, I would prefer barefoot over shoes on all my horses if I could.
I do like the idea of ground poles. If you're not certain, have someone help you space them right and I would lunge him over them first that way he doesn't have to worry about your weight as well.
 
#4 ·
He needs more groundwork. Have him go over poles, do poles on the lead, lunge, and freelunging. Get him more awake to what he is doing. Have your vet check him, it may be the beginning of some sort of stumbling problem. But try groundwork first, in the saddle, outta the saddle.
 
#5 ·
Yep, ground poles to start. I am assuming that otsb means off the track. Lots of horses who spend their whole lives in a plowed arena or on a flat track never learn to pay attention to where they place their feet because there is nothing for them to snag on. After the ground poles and when he is saddle broke, I would take him out on the trails. Hills, gullies, dead fall, and other things that make him think about where to step. Nothing dangerous, just obstacles. With time, he should learn where his feet are and hopefully stop stumbling.
 
#7 ·
His in need of a trim, but he's been tripping ever since I've known him. He has impulsion, I've seen him when he's doing his racing trot in the field, he can really pick his feet up! I think it's a combo of balance(mainly while I'm riding him), a bit of laziness, and sometimes I think he just doesn't realize that when he's not doing his racing trot he should still pick his feet up. Almost like he thinks that just part of the job, or something like that.
 
#8 ·
im in agreement with pretty much everyone else ground poles would be aplace to start so he can learn to pick up his feet and if you have problems after that then maybe look at feet problems ive seen alot of young horses just be lazy with there feet
 
#9 ·
I wouldnt completly rule out feet either. IDK if this is the same situation but my sisters horse was the same way....but it turned out that he was just tender footed. I rode him down the driveway one day and he tripped so bad that I thought he was gonna fall. I was afraid to ride him back to the house and it was a short driveway. front shoes fixed that as soon as they were put on. gl to ya!!!
 
#10 ·
Unless it's a barefoot horse on sharp rocks, my experience has been that many horses, especially if just being ridden in the ring, just get lazy about picking up their feet. Ground poles or lots of riding on/off trails where they have to think more about where they put their feet always seemed to get them out of the habit.
 
#11 ·
I would get his feet looked at by another farrier/trimmer. Explain the tripping problem and see if his trim can be altered to help.

Once you get that straightened out, I agree, walk and trot over poles. Also work under saddle and in hand on the trail, over varying terrain. If you have little hills or ditches around the property, make a point to go over those as well.
 
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