[Wallaby]

Yesterday I was lunging Lacey like always and she tripped pretty badly (she sat down on her butt, from a flying trot) going into the canter (on the lunge line she generally runs into the canter and yesterday was no exception) on her right hind leg so I had her slow down to a walk and start over. But then when I had her canter again she was on the wrong lead. I slowed her down again and asked for the canter again and she was on the wrong lead AGAIN! After three or so tries I finally got her to take the correct lead and then we cooled off. I have seen her take the wrong lead while being free-lunged, but never on the lunge-line. She takes the wrong lead under saddle all the time (her saddle doesn't fit as well as it should and I'm currently paying for a "new" saddle but I haven't paid it off yet) but free, the wrong lead just isn't something she does.

I'm starting a chiropractor fund for her since I'm sure she needs it but I'm wondering if this is definitely indicative of something being not right or if maybe she lightly pulled a muscle tripping and that she'll be ok in a few days... She was a little stiff today but I only worked her for about 15 minutes after pulling her out of her stall so I don't blame her.

I dunno what I'm trying to ask... I guess basically, should I be even more careful with that side of her? That leg that she tripped on has always been a little stiff when I pick it out...

Also, she's a little over due for her feet to be done. I mean, not overdue by much since her feet grow super slowly and we're only 8 weeks out from her last trim and my farrier barely has to take anything off at 8 weeks, so that could have something to do with it, I guess... They're getting done in two weeks, maybe I'll just have to take things way easier until then since that is something I've noticed about Lacey - she's VERY sensitive to slight changes in her hoof length...

I guess I'm just worried.... I'm gonna go see her tomorrow and hang out with her for 2 hours so she'll definitely have a chance to get all warmed up and then I guess I'll see how she's really moving... I guess that's one plus of having a horse that easily tracks up at all gaits, I can tell when she's the littlest bit off by how she doesn't track up as well.

 

[JB44]

there are sure a lot of things it could be. one problem with asking for leads on a lunge line is, you have to be very careful you aren't pulling their head in at the same time. they have to free up the inside shoulder, so they cannot be turning in.

to tell if it's timing or head position, or something physical wrong, try asking for the lope when she is in the part of the circle that is away from the barn, or buddies, or wherever she prefers to be. the part where she isn't pulling away , so you are not pulling on her.

and time it perfectly with her inside front foot hitting the ground. that's when she is about to lift it.

if she still messes up, then you might have a problem.

did she always do it right before?