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Diagnosing leg trouble?

Krickette April 17, 2009 February 22, 2011

Forums

ok, i remember doing this with one of my horses a long time ago, but I remember there is a way that you test to see what part of the horse's leg is bothering them. you like hold it in these different positions (one at a time, lol), for like a few minutes, then trot them off...and if you see something after a certain position then that tells you what's wrong, ie: hock, ankle, stifle anybody know anything about that?? We're worried mist might have something going on with her left hind. i never noticed it other than when tacked up she favors the right lead, and back when i first got her and she was kicking me for touching her back feet, she kicked me the most when i messed with her back left. but as far as i know there has been no injury, and other than favoring one lead over the other she never showed me any trouble. Once she was ridden and started bending again, it was easier to get her into that lead, but when you first start her back up she's very....straight going.... at liberty she picks up whatever lead, switches them, whatever. but apparently right now she will not pick up the right lead at all. I think she just may not be giving in and turning at this point, hopefully just being stubborn. I told them they might try using a small spur and if she doesnt act like shes hurting, just try to push her past whatever point she's decided she doesn't want to concede on... she gives plenty of warning before she tries anything stupid generally. But i want to try and see if its her ankle or her hock.... i dunno... if she has a joint issue then i dont want her going to a H/J home, cause she just won't last...and she could still go be a trail horse. it's just.... bleh. anywho...im going to bed now.

Heather Fri, 04/17/2009 - 06:21

SInce she has not had any regular work for years she need conditioning to rebuild her muscle and condition, its possible she might need her hocks injected, but the tests and evail is really done best by a vet .

Sara Fri, 04/17/2009 - 10:29

I would not try my own flexions to diagnose leg trouble. I might do some simple flexions on an inexpensive horse I'm considering buying, just to see if I can see any possible issues, but I would not use it as a diagnostic tool because I really don't know enough.

With Mist, I'd have them continue with slow, gentle conditioning and if it is still an issue in a month or so, get the vet.

Krickette Fri, 04/17/2009 - 10:59

Good to know, i'll push just keeping conditioning.
If she does have an issue, the people who made me the offer the first day might buy her, they take lessons there and would use her mostly as a trail horse. It's a dad and his two kids, and they've gone and given her carrots every day since she got there, and are apparently very sweet. The girl that's helping me is SUPER picky about finding the right home for a horse, so I trust her judgement and she says they might be a good match. So I might not get as much for her as I'd originally hoped, but either way, my rock bottom price there is double my hopeful price here, plus she'd be stall kept and spoiled there, whereas here she'd go in a pasture and god knows what'd happen to her. So I'm still happy, lol!
I think around the end of the month we'll evaluate and see how she's come along and if she seems like she isnt showing any improvement as far as her leg is concerned, we won't push her as a show pony...

Jenks Fri, 04/17/2009 - 11:33

Jorge doesn't like to pick up the right lead for me when he's tired. I turn his head just a little to the wall and keep on him until he does it right, then I let him stop. It's something he's learned will get him out of being ridden when he gets tired with the lesson kids.

rabbitsfizz Sat, 04/18/2009 - 05:53

I told you ages ago this mare has something wrong with her back....why do you not listen to your Aunty Rabbit????? :-??

supaspot60 Sat, 04/18/2009 - 18:06

I agree it could well be her back , my irish sport horse never appeared lame or in any kind of pain but he simply refused to change leads , the chiropractor (back man ) happened to be coming to look at another horse in the yard so I had him checked over , ten minutes of manipulation and massage , a weeks rest and he was a different horse - better than Id ever known him