Stumbling

[Showbod]

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas of why my horse stumbles. He mainly does it in the school, never hacking or in the field, he has had his teeth, back, tack etc checked and the farrier advises it is not his feet. I am not a novice rider and trained for dressage, but thats not to say its not me, but he does it with other people to. He has had back problems in the past, but they have been sorted out and his back is checked every 6 weeks.

[Laya]

My horse stumbles when I'm riding him sometimes, because he either isn't paying attention or is just being clumsy and not picking up his feet. Riding him through tall grass at a canter in large circles has taught him to really pick up his feet and to place them carefully. He's learned from stumbling because of this exercise. If this horse stumble sin the ring, is it just because he isn't paying attention to where he's going or what he's doing?? I don't know a cure for stumbling, but I have had experience with that. Good luck.

[Clj369z]

My horse stumbles at least once or twice during a riding session. I have had her checked by vet, farrier, massage therapist, etc and what we have concluded the following:

1. She doesn't pay attention all the time. When she stops paying attention, she forgets to step underneath herself. Ususally after a couple of strides of not stepping under, she trips.
2. Most of the time she can go for 8 weeks without a trim from the farrier. But in the spring and the first part of summer her feet grow at a faster rate and unless I do her feet every 6 weeks or less, her toes seem to be just long enough that she stumbles.
3. She is a bit weak in the hind end and has a bit of a hitch. Depending upon how tired she is, she has a harder time stepping underherself and eventually trips.

I have found the following to work with my mare - consistent work - slowing increasing in intensity and lenght especially after a winter off. and to ride her ever single stride and ask for something to keep her from getting bored.

Good Luck - Cindi

[Showbod]

Thanks for the advice. The only thing is he is fine in the field, its just in the school. It may have something to do with his legs, he is an ex racer, but the vet cannot even justify the cause of him coming off the track let alone find anything wrong with him. I will give your suggestions a go, and I'll let you know how we are doing.

Thanks again.

[bren]

I have a standardbred and he tends to stumble occasionally, I think its because he's fairly tall with long legs, he just doesnt pay attention to where his feet are going! LOL Although I have him, at 16.2 hh and a pony at 13hh and another pony at 10hh....I love them all dearly, pony or horse!

[Daventry]

Now, I am not saying that everybodies horse has this but one of the first signs of ringbone is stumbling.

[JoeyJoJo]

just wondering - how old is your horse?

It may be something to do with old age, if he's getting on a bit.

When muscle wastage kicks in it can make them stumble.


Just a suggestion....

[Showbod]

Well I dont think it is ringbone, but if all else fails, I will work along those lines.

He is a 9yr old T/B stallion, ex racer, I used to ride him last year and he did not have these probs, but I stopped riding him for a couple of months due to a yard move, then in Jan he was offered for sale and I bought him, and he is doing this. As I said his back is regularly checked, his teeth have been checked, his tack fits, I always work him in boots, his fitness has slacked a bit due to lack of time and a new horse, but he is generally fit enough, the farrier says there is nothing wrong with his feet, but I am wondering if he could be wrong, as he has not got extremely good feet!