Toe dragging...

[frazz_starlight]

Hello,
My horse is quite lazy on hacks and when in trot on roads it sounds like he is dragging his toes, but he is still trotting actively.
Is this normal?
Could something be wrong, or is he just lazy?
Oh he is barefoot too.
Frances xxx

[Forever Fern]

Fern is the same however she is shod but therefore goes through shoes at a rate of knots so we have to but borium in her shoes to stop her from wearing her shoes and slipping.

[MelanieD]

There are lots of things that can cause toe dragging, sometimes it is just lazyness but its worth eliminating other causes. Wobblers, EPSM, stifle and hock problems and suspensory ligament problems can all cause toe dragging. Lots of little problems around the back end and weak back end can also cause toe dragging, so if none of the above more serious ones its worth trying an osteopath or similar.

I've got one that drags her toes, with her its stifle problems and possibly EPSM but haven't had her tested (she improves a bit when fed oil), she's barefoot and does square off her toes but doesn't do her feet any real damage just makes them look a bit of a mess.

[frazz_starlight]

That could be it, he had an injury in his back leg which i thought could have been his stifle.
He moves perfectly now, appart from this toe dragging, so i don't know if i should just carry on as usual.
Or would a back lady be a wise move?
xxxxx

[chunky monkey]

Are his toes squared off at the front. Last time my farrier came he said that mine was dragging his feet as his toes were squared off quite badly on the back feet. Mine had been on box rest and I think he had learnt to shuffle around in the concrete yard. Now he's back out on 24/7 grass there is no signs of his toes being squared off. I'm doing more riding with him now as well. He is barefoot on the back, shoes on the front, previously all barefoot before his injury.

What about walking him over some poles on the ground. When I first got back on board mine was tripping so I made he step over some poles laid on the ground. If he is dragging you'll hear him hit his feet quite bit. I just said 'step, step' to encourage him to lift his feet up as we walked over. It soon convinced him to start picking his legs up he got so fed up with tripping over the poles.

[frazz_starlight]

Thank you chunky monkey for the advice, it's a great idea, i will deffinatly try the poles, and as you say, im sure if i increase his road work and riding time etc he will get alot fitter and less lazy.
But his toes dont get squared off, they are quite hardy though.
xxx