one LAZY horse!

[lazyobie29kr]

So my horse, Obie is extremely lazy (hence the lazyobie). He has trouble staying in one gait; will always slow down every chance he gets. When I notice him slowing down I give him a tap and he'll start up again for another 5 strides then try to walk again (Unless we're going back to the barn, of course!) Is there any way I can keep him at a more constant gait? Also, he has cushings but is being treated and seems to be doing just fine. I have noticed when I ride that he stumbles quite a bit. At a trot or canter he will trip and fall down to his knees at least once every ride, but the ground is completely flat. Is he just a klutz or is there something seriously wrong? He is completely sound by the way. He seems just fine when he gets back up, as if nothing happened. Once in a great while he will trip, fall to his knees (I jump off) and he will lie completely on his side totally relaxed with a few grunts here and there. He will eventually get up but it takes a few taps on the rump and a pull on the reins. Does anybody know what's going on with this horse? Is he in pain or laying down for the sake of me not riding him? Any input will be greatly appreciated!

[kedwards]

What you are describing would be very concerning to me. I would talk to the vet about his falling.

[Naturally]

I agree with the above answer wholeheartedly. It would appear this horse is in great discomfort. If he has had cushings disease, I would say that he is not necessarily fine. Here's a link for you to have a look at, but I would be calling a vet asap.

http://www.recoveryeq.com/cushings_syndrome_pro.htm

[lazyobie29kr]

our vet just took another blood test, so we shall see what arises.

[SupaTania]

Bubby the retired appaloosa at out barn, forcefully falls and lies down so as not to work. Even pushing, tapping, kicking, encouragment, won't get him up. As soon as you start to walk away, he gets up and canters to the barn. He's too old to be of any good use so they just retired him. But the vet did check him out and he was and still is perfectly sound. Just so lazy he prefers not to work.

[alliecatalex]

Have the vet check him out about the falling. But as for the lazyness, I would have someone lunge you while your riding him to get him in shape and to keep him going at one gait for a long time. On the lunge line he may listen a lot better so that way you could work him more, getting him more fit and retraining him to make him listen to what you want out of him.

[Tnavas]

Several causes for stumbling

1 Feet overgrown or toes too long. Ask the farrier to fit rolled toe shoes, they help with the breakover - the point where the foot leaves the ground at the end of the stride.

2 Back/Neck problems, the nerves to the legs come out through the seventh cervical vertebrae and if it is out of alignment can cause the horse to stumble - see if you can have a chiropractor to him.

3 Heart problems. The vet will need to deal with this.

Riding a horse that repeatedly stumbles is a risky business. I had a young pupil once whos mother was killed when her horse stumbled - in Walk- and fell over.

Cushings disease causes laminitic type symptoms so there could be a link.

[Naturally]

Just to add "Dentistry" to those fabulous points by Tnavas. Mal-aligned bite can also cause neck/back problems leading to stumbling and a whole host of other things.

Obviously too...saddle fit.

[lazyobie29kr]

Well I had the vet do a total body check up and it turns out that he's perfectly fine. His blood was normal, normal heart, etc. He is still sound and just furry from the cushings. I think/hope it's just a case of lazyness and not picking up his feet. I will work on lunging him and keeping him at a consistant pace so that he can get into better shape. I will of course continue to keep a close eye on him and see if anything changes. Thanks for all of the helpful advice!

[Naturally]

Good news on the Cushings.

We are lucky that their hearts are so big that they just keep trying for us.

Just curious, but did the vet check anything other than blood? i.e. for lameness, saddle fit or other physical pain?

[Tnavas]

That is really great news. Cushings does make them very hairy, they seem to be shedding forever. Might be worth clipping your horse out all year round.

Still get the farrier to put on rolled toe shoes as it really does help the stumbling.

Did the vet check for tender areas along the vertebrae, if not then get the chiropractor in.

What sort of food are you feeding him, maybe some grain feed would give him some more energy.

[lazyobie29kr]

We did check for lameness and he's sound as can be with no other physical pain, including along the vertebrae. And we just contacted the farrier about the rolled toe shoes, so we shall see how he responds to those. thanks again for all of the helpful info! wouldn't have thought of half the things you all came up with! thank you thank you thank you!

[notpoodle]

that sounds very similar to my friends loan horse! he has cushing as well (hes in his early 20s), but other than that he is absolutely fine, vet says so, too. he also stumbles every now and then when the ground is slightly uneven ....

all very strange

julia

[Mary Poppins]

My pony sounds very similar to yours - he is very lazy. I have been experimenting with the effective use of the whip and this has really helped in his forwardness (although I am struggling with myself as I hate hitting him). He is a different pony when I am an assertive rider.

He trips now and again, and actually fell right over a few weeks ago. This was partly due to uneven ground, and partly due to the fact that he was cantering really fast (very unusual for him) and he got his feet in a muddle and just lost his balance. He does trip every so often and I think that this is due to him just not picking his feet up properly (there is nothing physically wrong with him either). By keeping him awake and getting his attention he stops doing this. I try and do a mixutre of schooling, hacking and jumping with him and ride in different places so that he does anticipate what we are doing. Do you make sure that you do different things with your horse and make sure that he is not bored?

Have you considered if your horse is fit enough to do what you are asking of him? I have had my pony for 5 months when previously he had been out in the field all winter. I brought him on slowly and gradually increased the amount of work he was doing so he was fit enough to cope. At the beginning he would start to trip when he was tired. Perhaps your horse is tripping as he might be struggling with the amount of work he is doing?

I am sure that there are exercises to do when may help him pick up his feet. Perhaps pole work might help?

I am no expert and these are just ideas, but I wish you well with sorting this out.