[Acadianartist]

I have a bit of a dilemma. Harley's back legs seem to be bothering him more than usual lately. He moves ok once he gets going, but if he stands for a while, his legs get stiff and his first step is a bit awkward. It's hard to describe, but it's almost like he's locked up for a second. But then he walks off fine. He's been stumbling more lately too though.

He's 26, and has fused hocks (they have been x-rayed), is on daily Previcox and 4Cyte. There really isn't anything else we can do. The vet always said to keep riding him because movement is better than no movement. However, I'm questioning whether I should keep cantering him. Looking at the video above, and considering all I've just written, what are your thoughts? I only canter him a tiny bit along the long side of the ring, but he really struggles to come out of the canter (he's always been like this though). Like he's fine going in, but slowing down is hard, presumably because he has to use his hindquarters to put the brakes on. I don't do any tight circles, it's literally just a canter along one side of the ring. But I don't want to make it worse or cause him any pain. If he needs to just give walk-trot classes to little kids, that's fine.

Thoughts? I need objective opinions to make sure I'm not being biased. Though I'm leaning towards not cantering him anymore, erring on the side of caution.

 

[Horse & Dog Mom]

@Acadianartist: I hear and understand concerns for our older ones.

My first question would be, since you mentioned that this is a thing for him and has been for some time (if I'm reading your post correctly), do you bring him down from a canter to a trot or do you go from a canter to a walk?

 

[horselovinguy]

Thoughts....he has now significantly stiffened as he aged.
Try rubbing his stifles with Absorbine or similar liniment that offers "warmth" not cooling prior to his lesson and riding time. He needs a longer warm up carefully done.
Make sure he isn't "allergic" to the ingredients used. If daughter has shown him chances are she has set his legs after a show and has some liniment hanging around he did well with.
Some sort of menthol gel might work too but some of those are strong and irritating...be cautious.

Try on a personal day of riding him and see how he responds if it is a better response or worse.

Otherwise, no more cantering unless he is loose and playing by his choice.
W/T lessons and you may be facing a time where he is fully retired to self-exercise sooner in his existence.
I would try to save his hind end for managing your property of up and down grades crossing the stream bed I remember from pictures long ago.
🐎... jmo.

 

[Acadianartist]

@Acadianartist: I hear and understand concerns for our older ones.

My first question would be, since you mentioned that this is a thing for him and has been for some time (if I'm reading your post correctly), do you bring him down from a canter to a trot or do you go from a canter to a walk?

He usually goes down to a hard trot, then a walk, but honestly, I let him do whatever he wants. I just try not to let him keep cantering around. He has always been a hard one to slow down as he used to tank and go down hard on the forehand, and fight against his rider. However, I have no reins in mounted archery so he can't brace. I just gather my reins in one hand when I'm done shooting, and try to pull him back gently. I like that he doesn't go down on the forehand this way, and has free use of his head for balance.

 

[Acadianartist]

Thoughts....he has now significantly stiffened as he aged.
Try rubbing his stifles with Absorbine or similar liniment that offers "warmth" not cooling prior to his lesson and riding time. He needs a longer warm up carefully done.
Make sure he isn't "allergic" to the ingredients used. If daughter has shown him chances are she has set his legs after a show and has some liniment hanging around he did well with.
Some sort of menthol gel might work too but some of those are strong and irritating...be cautious.

Try on a personal day of riding him and see how he responds if it is a better response or worse.

Otherwise, no more cantering unless he is loose and playing by his choice.
W/T lessons and you may be facing a time where he is fully retired to self-exercise sooner in his existence.
I would try to save his hind end for managing your property of up and down grades crossing the stream bed I remember from pictures long ago.
🐎... jmo.

Worth a try. I do try to give him a good warmup and cool down. We have not been taking him anywhere with a lot of steep hills for a long time now. He occasionaly does a short trail, but not across the stream bed. Just a fairly flat trail.

I definitely will not keep riding him if it is making him hurt more

 

[SteadyOn]

How is he at saying No? I can count on Elle to just go, Nope, when I'm asking her for something she's not capable of on a given day. It certainly gives peace of mind. Would he ever just refuse to do it if he wasn't up for it?

 

[Acadianartist]

How is he at saying No? I can count on Elle to just go, Nope, when I'm asking her for something she's not capable of on a given day. It certainly gives peace of mind. Would he ever just refuse to do it if he wasn't up for it?

No, he would never let me know if he didn't want to do it. Ask for the canter = instant launch. The more he canters, the faster he goes. He's a very stoic horse with a rock solid work ethic. More of an introvert who will try to hide his pain.