Could she be sore?

[Trewsers]

Went for a hack (yaye) yesterday on Storm - its only the third one since moving home and I noticed she kept stumbling a lot. This is quite unusual for her as she is usually sure footed and the farrier only trimmed her a couple of weeks ago. Could she be sore? We've only ever hacked on tarmac and grass, not on the kind of dirt / gravel / stony path like yesterday. Am really worried as I don't want her to be in pain. Any ideas? I really don't want to put shoes on her - she's never worn any for over 2 years and has previously been fine. Any advice much appreciated.:)

[Bobbin]

Maybe its the combination of the wet weather we've had, a recent trim and the spring grass??

Just keep an eye on it.

x

[martini55]

Was she being lazy at all?

My initial reaction was 'maybe she is due a trim', but as the farrier was only out that rules that one out. How stoney are the paths?

[Trewsers]

Hmm, the path is pretty stoney, Joe seemed to do ok tho (he's shod, but usually quite spindly and a bit unsteady). thats what bothered me really, the fact that she seemed to stumble so much. I don't think she was being particularly lazy, she is usually quite on her toes when out hacking - specially as its all new to her. Unless she was just too busy looking for things to spook at instead of looking where her feet were landing!!!! Seriously tho, I do need to keep an eye on it - would hate for her to be sore and me put her off being ridden out on hacks. She seemed to favour walking on the grass wherever possible.

[Cupcake]

Yes she could very well be sore. Give her a few days, it could just be a passing thing.

[Trewsers]

Hope it is just a passing thing. Will her feet "harden up" if we keep doing the hacks?

[martini55]

Maybe it is stone bruising? I'd just keep an eye on her :)

[Trewsers]

Yep, will do. Am going to try a short hack tonight - will see how she goes.