throughbreds - problem horses?

[zara_12]

Hi all,

I'm currently tackling my second throughbred. After observing what he has been like for the past couple of months he seems similar to my first.

At the age of 18 my first throughbred still got very hot when he was in a good condition (correct weight). We know in the past the horse had problems with cape weed and dragged his back legs over uneven terrain. He also had surgery on his back legs. His feet clicked lightly most of the time and we guessed he had a fall at least once.

At the age of 11 my second throughbred has also had a bad fall in the float which didnt (we think) contribute to him also having the same 'dragging of the feet' problem as my first horse. While lunging him, twice he has fallen over completly. And once feed up this 17hh docile horse gets a hot. He also stumbles, a lot.


Is the dragging of the feet bred into these horses or is lucky throughbred number 3 not going to have the back leg problems and the previous two?

[Chelsea_Skye]

You've had bad luck.
He might not have that feet and heat problem, but something else.
Just like every other horse.

[Yann]

Hind toe dragging isn't that uncommon, especially in older horses, and can have various causes, none of which are breed specific as far as I'm aware. As far as the heating up goes, I daresay that depends what you're feeding. People tend to feed grain and sugary mixes to Tb's to keep weight on them, but it does appear that some react badly to this, a quality fibre and oil diet might suit these better and keep them sane and sensible :)

Stumbling with the front feet is likely to be a result of long toes and underrun heels which plague Tb's.

[Clava]

My Tb mare tends to stubble a bit, she certainly isn't sure footed but it tends to be when she isn't concentrating or balanced (she nearly fell over while looking over her shoulder at some bales :rolleyes:), she doesn't have long toes or under run heels. The tripping may improving with schooling....my girl picks her feet up more riding over rough grass than very short grass, I think she is too used to a sand school with nothing to trip over (or the race course gallops).

[Ashlea]

You can help with the stumbling by schooling over uneven ground - it will get the horse thinking about what it is doing with its feet!
You have to bear in mind though, that TBs have been primarily "engineered" and bred for racing on flats - and so its only natural for them to stumble on uneven ground. Native types, however, wont have so much of a problem because of the natural terrain from which they come from! Ive also heard that a problem with stumbling may also have something to do with the position of the horses eyes - native types are more likely to be able to see more of the ground, and can therefore dodge holes, TBs, on the other hand are more likely to see more of what is ahead, and to the side - and are less likely to spot what is underneath them...I dont know how true this is though.

I wouldnt say TBs are "problem horses" per se...but they are generally bred for a specific purpose, and thereore problems arise when we find ourselves having to "compensate" for what has been bred in/out of them... (its like having a grey hound that is bred to race on the flat, and as such they have very short hair [and a finer physique]....the short hair is needed when racing, or it will sweat and catch a chill as it cools....but in the winter, these dogs dont thicken their coats natuarally, and need an extra "synthetic" layer to keep it warm - especially considering they have little fat for insulation...such dogs also require alot of exercise when in peak condition, or they may become depressed, or even over-excitable/aggressive! Its an example of specific breeding, and the problems that can occur through such) [a little long winded....but I know what im trying to say - I hope you get the jist? lol].
In the same way, TBs have a finer build, and are likely to need extra feeding and rugging in cold weather to make up for what has been bred out of them for an alternative purpose. Also, you need to bear in mind that TBs are bred to race - they want to go when they are phisically fit! its instinctive to them, and when they get "hot", it can be a good sign of their good condition, and a throwback to what is in their nature! Its up to the handler of such horses to be able to control a horse of such a specific personality/nature. (some TBs may not get so "hot").

You might be able to "calm" your horse down with more specific schooling! The more you can build a bond with your horse, the more it will respond to you, and the easier it will be to "channel" your horse's energy....so even though it may still be "hot" or "fizzy", you are more likely to be in control. Again, Whilst you are schooling your horse, if you can do so over uneven ground, then over time, the horse will also learn to pay attention to where its feet are, and will be less likely to fall as often.

oooh, p.s. you can also slowly change what you are feeding to something that is less energy giving, or to something that induces a "calming" effect...I dont have pure TBs, and I dont have the same problems as you, but somethng like "calm and condition" may help...or even just feeding "happy hoof" or extra hay instead of hard feed will help with the energy levels of your horse....just make sure it doesnt lose condition as you try and find something that suits better! There are plenty of products out on the market - even "herbal remedies"...best thig to do is shop around!

good luck!:D

[Ashlea]

Hi all,

I'm currently tackling my second throughbred. After observing what he has been like for the past couple of months he seems similar to my first.

At the age of 18 my first throughbred still got very hot when he was in a good condition (correct weight). We know in the past the horse had problems with cape weed and dragged his back legs over uneven terrain. He also had surgery on his back legs. His feet clicked lightly most of the time and we guessed he had a fall at least once.

At the age of 11 my second throughbred has also had a bad fall in the float which didnt (we think) contribute to him also having the same 'dragging of the feet' problem as my first horse. While lunging him, twice he has fallen over completly. And once feed up this 17hh docile horse gets a hot. He also stumbles, a lot.


Is the dragging of the feet bred into these horses or is lucky throughbred number 3 not going to have the back leg problems and the previous two?


What is it that is attracting you to TBs specifically? You might have better luck in general with a TBx (although it depends on the individual horse)...something like a cob, or even an ID is less likely to stumble, and is less likely to get so "hot" (although any horse of any breed can display such behaviours...its just a more pronounced trait in some breeds rather than others).
TBxID tend to be a little less fizzy, and are generally easier to maintain weight (although, again, it depends on the individual), but in general, they can do all the same things as a TB, but show fewer problems, and tend to be much hardier....
My IDxTB is wintering without a rug at them moment, and is getting no extra feed but hay - and hes still in good condition! Hes 4 years old, and although a little green (hes hardly ridden), he doesnt tend to get too fizzy at all when hes out on the roads, on the moors, or in a big open field- hes very level headed - thanks to the ID, and yet hes a very capable jumper too :)

[zara_12]

What is it that is attracting you to TBs specifically? You might have better luck in general with a TBx (although it depends on the individual horse)...something like a cob, or even an ID is less likely to stumble, and is less likely to get so "hot" (although any horse of any breed can display such behaviours...its just a more pronounced trait in some breeds rather than others).
TBxID tend to be a little less fizzy, and are generally easier to maintain weight (although, again, it depends on the individual), but in general, they can do all the same things as a TB, but show fewer problems, and tend to be much hardier....
My IDxTB is wintering without a rug at them moment, and is getting no extra feed but hay - and hes still in good condition! Hes 4 years old, and although a little green (hes hardly ridden), he doesnt tend to get too fizzy at all when hes out on the roads, on the moors, or in a big open field- hes very level headed - thanks to the ID, and yet hes a very capable jumper too :)


(sorry for late reply ;; forgot i posted this!)

Well, we have kind of stumbled upon the throughbreds by defualt. We are friendly with a lady who buys and re-sells horses. As she does showing the horses are generally throughbreds. Although i mention 2 throughbreds in my initial post only one of which we owned, the other we had mostly as a paddock horse for a occasional ride for a exchange student. I have just recently sent back a throughbred we had on trail form the same lady, he got kicked and after 3 weeks his leg was still swollen and continued stumbling and lack of thickness in hoof walls wasnt a great thing. We also had him on feed and in a paddock with plenty of feed although he did not put on as much weight as suspected. Thanks for your adivce in both your posts, as im waiting for someone to buy my pony im not yet quite looking at the market for another one. A tb x is definatly a horse i will be looking out for but one suitable and wihtin the price range is likly to take longer to find. :)


thanks,

zara