Posted 2015-09-14 4:01 PM Subject: New gelding stiff when asked to rate down?
Member
Posts: 23
Hello,
Quick question about my new gelding - he's 13, and a former roping horse. He blows up in the heading box ( I'm unsure of his past ), but he absolutely loves running barrels.
Anyway, every time I ask him to rate down, he bounces and stiffens up in the hind end like a pogo stick. He's super fast, and never hesitates to turn, it's just in the "slow down" that we have a bit of an issue. He has popped me right out of the saddle several times now.
I am wondering if it may be soreness in his hocks? Or something else maybe? I have considered getting him on a joint supplement, and maybe magnetic hock boots..... but, not sure.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)
Posted 2015-09-14 11:11 PM Subject: RE: New gelding stiff when asked to rate down?
This is common with a bunch of roping horses and horses that have "burned" their ergots ... owners failed to protect them with rundown boots or skid boots.
A horse will protect itself by stopping on the front end which creates the bouncing pogo stick affect. This why you see a lot of race horses wearing wraps to keep track from burning their ergots, especially if they have let down pasterns it is more important to do. Race horses will stop running as fast as they can and turnoff the speed and just mosey on home ..
Barrel horses will do the pogo stick routine while rating and will throw their rear end outside the turn when turning a barrel ... Most common place for a barrel horse to hurt their ergots is that run home and rider slamming on the brakes while running up the alleyway. If you notice (arena dependent) a lot of big time riders will end their run by running a slow down circle instead of running into the fence to stop or flying up the alley ... this adds years of use and soundness to many horses!!
Most people think the wraps and boots are to support a horses tendons etc etc ... but they are simply to protect the ergots and any direct impact they might do from striking themselves with another of their feet ...
Horses have a memory for pain so it will take awhile for horse to realize he no longer hurts himself when you fit him out with a good set of combination boots front and rear. It is a must he wears them ANYTIME you ride him and if he is seasoned and knows the pattern ... stop working the arena and do your legging up on pasture and trail rides while wearing his new protective gear!!
Posted 2015-09-15 9:48 AM Subject: RE: New gelding stiff when asked to rate down?
Lady Di
Posts: 21556 Location: Oklahoma
If he's 13, I'd say he probably has some soreness. I'd take him to an equine specialist and have his hocks and stifles checked. You might also want to have his teeth done and have him chiropracted. I do this to every new horse I get in. Removes a lot of problems quickly.
New gelding stiff when asked to rate down?
