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 Veteran
Posts: 124
| This post isn't about a barrel horse but about a gaited horse I own. The last few times I've ridden him, he has taken quite a few off steps where it feels like he's stepping in a hole. I notice it more on the left front, but it also happens on the right front. This is at a walk. I haven't noticed it in his gait and hardly ever canter him. I've owned him for about 1.5 years, and it's been a pretty recent thing I've noticed with him. Anyone have any thoughts? He's 16 and not in the best shape. I only use him to trail ride. |
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 The best bad guy on the internet
Posts: 3519
  
Location: Arizona | Are his toes long? How does his feet look? |
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Veteran
Posts: 124
| He was trimmed 13 days ago by the farrier who always does him. He's on a regular 8 week schedule. |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
 
Location: In the Hills of Texas | Have someone stand him up square and then look and see if his hips are level. |
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Married to a Louie Lover
Posts: 3303
| This was one of the symptoms a horse I owned a few years ago had when he was diagnosed with EPM.
Oddly enough, while not gaited, he was grade and had a very saddlebred type look to him. |
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 The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | Ususally that feeling comes from the hind end, not the front. I'd suggest a chiro to see if his body is in alignment. Maybe a shoulder is out--and if this is true, usually the opposite hip is out as well. When this feeling comes from the hind end, it is usually indicative of a weak stifle or hip issue. So, the front end has me a little puzzled. If it were a hoof issue, I think you'd just see tripping and less of the feeling you are describing. |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
| That is one of the first things that I noticed about my horse that had EPM |
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Expert
Posts: 3514
| streakysox - 2018-04-20 7:28 AM
That is one of the first things that I noticed about my horse that had EPM
Early signs of EPM |
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 Expert
Posts: 1520
Location: Illinois | Mine does that when his shoulder is out and needs his front end adjusted. When he starts doing it in the back its time to inject the stifles again. However I also wouldn't rule out EPM either. I'd try maybe getting him adjusted & if that doesn't work try try the EPM route maybe. |
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"stepping in a hole" feeling