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Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
 
| The last time I ran my gelding he felt as if he didn't have much run. I started comparing videos of my runs and his stride looked super short and choppy this last time. I have just lunged him a couple times since and he still tracks up nice at the trot, impulsion doesn't seem to be lacking, doesn't take a lame step, but then when I ask him to canter on the lunge his stride still seems way shorter than normal? He is 19, I'm sure age is getting him a little. I've never had to inject, hes pretty low maintenance. I'm taking him to the vet later in the month, but I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced this before? Likely I will retire him, but I do want him to be comfortable. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | Have you had him chiro'd or massaged? he may be tight or out somewhere and its affecting him. With that age i would expect some arthritis but not always! It may be time to think about injections. Is he on any joint supplements? My guy was the same way; Just didnt feel the fire, he was getting choppy around barrels, developed a bit of gate issues, and started not wanting to get on the trailer. Took him to the vet and he needed his hocks injected. Got them done and he's been fine ever since! If its something as small as injections and hes still healthy otherwise/loves his job. I wouldnt retire but thats just me! Only you know your horse best. Good luck!  | |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| What does he do when you trot him in a circle on just his lead rope on black top or hard driveway? He'll probably show you something then. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
| I haven't tried that. I'll try to get out there today and see. Hadn't thought of that, thanks! | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 617
| Ohiobarrelracer - 2017-10-11 7:27 AM
Have you had him chiro'd or massaged? he may be tight or out somewhere and its affecting him. With that age i would expect some arthritis but not always! It may be time to think about injections. Is he on any joint supplements? My guy was the same way; Just didnt feel the fire, he was getting choppy around barrels, developed a bit of gate issues, and started not wanting to get on the trailer. Took him to the vet and he needed his hocks injected. Got them done and he's been fine ever since! If its something as small as injections and hes still healthy otherwise/loves his job. I wouldnt retire but thats just me! Only you know your horse best. Good luck!
Hasn't had a massage in a while. I did have a chiro work on him once 5 years ago, but she didn't find anything that was really out of whack so I didn't have her come back out again. It is for sure a consideration, he could have screwed something up since. I do have him on a joint supplement, it has glucosamine, msm, chondroitin etc. but I'm wondering if I should go with something that has more anti inflammatory ingredients like devil's claw, yucca, turmeric. I'm guessing he will need x-rays of his hocks. Injections may be the way to go! I would think if it was hocks he would show it more at the trot, I'm going to trot him of asphalt today like the person below suggested and see if he looks off. | |
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 The One
Posts: 7998
Location: South Georgia | My mare did this. Had her hocks injected. No real improvement. Then had the vet look at her and he noticed that her hip was out...like bad! It was a good inch or so higher on the one side. He adjusted her, and she has been perfect ever since. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 534
Location: Ohio girl moved to PA | cn1705 - 2017-10-11 11:38 AM Ohiobarrelracer - 2017-10-11 7:27 AM Have you had him chiro'd or massaged? he may be tight or out somewhere and its affecting him. With that age i would expect some arthritis but not always! It may be time to think about injections. Is he on any joint supplements? My guy was the same way; Just didnt feel the fire, he was getting choppy around barrels, developed a bit of gate issues, and started not wanting to get on the trailer. Took him to the vet and he needed his hocks injected. Got them done and he's been fine ever since! If its something as small as injections and hes still healthy otherwise/loves his job. I wouldnt retire but thats just me! Only you know your horse best. Good luck! Hasn't had a massage in a while. I did have a chiro work on him once 5 years ago, but she didn't find anything that was really out of whack so I didn't have her come back out again. It is for sure a consideration, he could have screwed something up since. I do have him on a joint supplement, it has glucosamine, msm, chondroitin etc. but I'm wondering if I should go with something that has more anti inflammatory ingredients like devil's claw, yucca, turmeric. I'm guessing he will need x-rays of his hocks. Injections may be the way to go! I would think if it was hocks he would show it more at the trot, I'm going to trot him of asphalt today like the person below suggested and see if he looks off.
5 years, HOLY COW! haha my horses get done just about every other month. Youll be surprised how out of wack they can get even just from rolling! I currently have my guy on Actiflex and he really likes it, he used to be on DAC yucca but ive heard less cracking in his joints with him on the actiflex. If hes never had injections i would recommend X-rays, especially so you can see whats all going on in there. I didnt need xrays bc my vet knew what the problem was, but i got them anyways because it was his first time getting injections and i wanted to see what was going on. My guy didnt show it at the trot either, only at a lope/run. Once you get him on the hard surface youll be able to see it in his hips if hes dropping from pain! | |
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