Shaking of hind legs when picking up feet???

[rocco1981]

Hi Everyone

I'm new here, and wondered if anyone can help me.

I currently have a warmblood gelding on loan. When you pick his back legs up he shakes and pulls them up underneath him. If you hold onto the foot and pull it down he does stop doing it. He is slightly stiff in work on his right side but other than that he's 100% sound.

I have been told by his owner he is just does nt like having his feet picked up and he is nt as bad as when I first took him on.

However I have never had a horse even a youngster that has done this before. Does anyone have any experience of this? :confused:

Any help would be great.

Thanks

[nutkin]

it sounds like what is known as a shiver or stringhalt.

[Sophini]

Ditto Nutkin - sounds like he is a shiverer. try him on the EPSM diet (http://www.draftresource.com/EPSM/Draft_EPSM_About_Diet_Change.html)a low/no sugar diet and feed high amounts of oil, augermoon and LGD on here are good people to ask for more info

[augermoon]

Hello,

Yep I have a shiverer and he does exactly as you say. Best way to manage it is to give the horse plenty of time to pick up his legs. Rather than pulling them out backwards, give him time to relax and you'll find that they release naturally anyway.

If you're interested in finding out more about the diet, please feel free to PM me. It has done wonders for my boy and I would never go back now.