i have been riding my 16 year old horse every other weekend until about a month ago i have been rdding him every day giving him 1 or 2 days rest an just the other day he has started acting funny he just lays around an stuff an when i ride him he limps some what but theres nothin in his hooves or anything an when i walk or trot or lope he stumbles a hole lot what do you think is wrong ????
2007-03-25 12:50:39 · 9 answers · asked by pink_person-09 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
You horse sounds like he is lame-- i suggest not riding him if he's sore!!!
Check his hocks, he may have windpuffs as he is getting older. Windpuffs are an excess build up of synovial fluid (joint lubricant). They can cause lameness problems for some horses, and others they are just blemishes. If you have issues with them swelling and getting larger, I recommend a joint supplement with MSM in it. MSM is an anti-inflamatory that will help with swelling problems. Basically, It's just the inflammation of the hocks from riding and can be eased with Absorbine-- which is kind of like icy hott but for horses.
OR
He may have a abscess-- frequent temperature changes in the ground can lead to cysts inside of their hooves, they can be drained by a vet and then can be cared for by being soaked in epsom salt water and being layed with cotton balls, gauze, and then duct tape around the hoove.
Or, his back could be out of line-- AFTER you call your vet, try calling a chiropractor. Does he flinct when you touch his BACK? That could be a sign of a "out of wack back" and that can be fixed by a chiropractor-- every once in a while a horse needs a good adjustment.
Otherwise, you should talk to your vet. Does he flinch when being touched in the leg? Are there any cuts? Does he only limp when being ridden? Put him on stall rest until you see a vet. Please!
After this clears up i suggest you give him some joint supplements to aid in his aging and make him more flexible and help lubricate his joints.
2007-03-25 14:00:28 · answer #1 · answered by Sarah C- Equine Help 101 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he maybe sore from the extra work seeing that he hasn't been used to daily work. I slowly increased my work routine with my mare and had no problems. It could be useful to find a equine massage person to give him a good massage, he is probably tight in some of his muscles. If that doesn't do the trick a chiropractor might be the next step especially if he may have a sore back which can then affect the legs. Best of luck hope this helps.
2007-03-25 21:22:12 · answer #2 · answered by rodeo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could simply be aching muscles.
But they are not beyong trying to con you with an imaginary limp in order to get a day off.
Check his legs over and see if there are any swellings. (If there are give him a few days off and hose his legs in cold water for about 15 minutes.)
Check his shoes are not loose or worn down unevenly.
One of our did this not long go and when the farrier changed his shoes it turned out he had corns that could not be seen till his hooves were trimmed.
It could be a brused frog.
If in doubt ask the farrier to nip in and check him out
2007-03-25 20:14:42 · answer #3 · answered by Dreamweaver 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well first of all it's apparent he's hurting some where . It could be shoulder pain leg ,knee, or hoof pain, Has heever been founder? Have yiu had a vet look at him? Is there any heat in his hooves? He may have ring bone. Good luck
2007-03-26 11:05:19 · answer #4 · answered by joannaduplessis@sbcglobal.net 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he strained a muscle, or he could just have a sore leg. If you go to a barn or stable ask an expert before you spend a fortune at the vet.
hope it helped!
2007-03-25 19:56:22 · answer #5 · answered by kyla_tobi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he could have founder. which is a very scary thought. anything can cause it including a change in exercize habbits. go to the vet and see if he has it. this can cause horses to lay more then usual because of the pain and cause them to limp due to their tender foot
2007-03-26 15:58:01 · answer #6 · answered by lzanchettin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since you changed your riding rutine, maybe he isn't used to riding everyday. He might get tired or have hurt his leg during riding time. Maybe he pulled a musle. Don't ride him for a while. You should probaly call a vet.
2007-03-25 20:00:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
you need to have your stable person look at him or he needs to go to the vet. he probably pulled a muscle or he has arthritis i hope i spelled that right but ya you need to have some one check him out and do not ride him until you do
2007-03-25 22:24:17 · answer #8 · answered by none 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is obviously trying to tell you something...you should call your vet
2007-03-25 19:59:21 · answer #9 · answered by bulldog lover 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋