[beachfunbarbie5]

I have a 20 year old TB who is pigeon toed on his hind quarters. He tends to prop one hoof on top of the other and clip himself, repeatedly. Also, when he walks, its as if when he takes a step the planted rear hoof kind of kicks out. (EX: if you plant your foot and kick out heel while the ball is plated.) I was told it could be either his hock or stifle. I really don't know what to do he doesn't seem to be in pain but I'm guessing its uncomfortable, and riding is kinda bumpy. Does anyone have any ideas other than injections to help this????

Thankssss

 

[Miss Katie]

how long has he been this way??
I dont understand what you mean about kicking his hoof out?

The best thing for stifle or hock conditions is to strengthen the joint starting with lots of slow walking then moving along from there. Has he been loosing muscle over his rump as he ages??

 

[Wild Child]

I dont know if it would apply to you, but we had a Shetty pony, who had stifle problem and was pigeon toed. You might need help with it, but if you pull the hind leg out (which ever leg it is)(even both) and stretch it right out, and when they try to pull it back in most of the time it will click, and it will be right. I dont know if it is a muscle thats out, or somthing, but it may help you(you might need to strech their leg a few times, and it MAY or may NOT help if his is warmed up. Our Shetty was better if he wasnt, but I have no idea about your boy !)

I hope some of this helps and good luck !!

 

[NorthernMama]

He is 20 yrs old, right? How long has this been happening? Was it gradual onset? How are his hooves? Is he generally stiff to move or just the "choppiness" you describe?

If it is stifle oriented, you can also try working hills -- apparently this helps to release. My other thought would be arthritis, but I don't see how this would explain the "kicking out" from the lower part of the leg. Any chance of doing x-rays?

 

[beachfunbarbie5]

He only does it when he walks. trotting and canter it doesn't happen. he has done it for as long as i can remember (about 5 years) but recently it has gotten worse, especially the right hind. I had switched barns last March and they under fed him, he ended up being really thin and didn't look good. i moved him back to the original barn i had him at. i've been working with him building up muscles and putting weight back on him. hes been back about 4 months and his hind end still needs work. that's kind of what i was wondering, if it could just be that he needs muscle build up or what.

what kind of exercises do you recommend to help build up his rear. working hills, how many reps? i usually walk him up and down one 2x every other day

 

[NorthernMama]

He only does it when he walks. trotting and canter it doesn't happen. he has done it for as long as i can remember (about 5 years) but recently it has gotten worse, especially the right hind. I had switched barns last March and they under fed him, he ended up being really thin and didn't look good. i moved him back to the original barn i had him at. i've been working with him building up muscles and putting weight back on him. hes been back about 4 months and his hind end still needs work. that's kind of what i was wondering, if it could just be that he needs muscle build up or what.

what kind of exercises do you recommend to help build up his rear. working hills, how many reps? i usually walk him up and down one 2x every other day

Odd thing to be only at the walk. Maybe you just aren't seeing it at the trot and canter? Take a video and slow it down -- might help. I can't see it being affected by muscle tone, quality or quantity. Sounds more like a joint problem to me. I would think that x-rays would give a lot of insight. Even a nerve block to determine how high up on the leg the problem is. Stifle and pastern problems are often mixed up. It happened with one of my guys.

I can't tell you how many repetitions to do -- I do what works for the horse at the time. How long and steep is the hill? How fit is the horse? How hot is the day? All things to consider. I would trot and canter him up and down the hills too if he's OK with it. Just make sure he is using his hind end, or you'll end up with one really lop-sided horse! :lol: