my friends horse seems to have this problem with dragging his back legs when he's being ridden. He ends up tripping and throwing the rider and falling on his knees. He doesnt have Navicular Disease because he's dragging his back legs, not his fronts. Its not a stifle injury because he's not hot and swelling. Does anyone else know of any other disease/injuries that are related to dragging of the back legs? Any injuries that are related from the hoof right to the spine. We thought it was just lazyness but he trips up in the field too and during workouts so its more then just lazyness. Any thoughts/suggestions?
Thanxs
2007-08-29 17:42:30 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Horses
Just wanted to say he's not wearing shoes. His shoes were removed because the previous farrier didnt correctly fit the shoes and put the nails too high in the hoof wall which resulted in a toe crack from jumping. He is now on a natural trim.
2007-08-29 18:03:02 · update #1
just a reminder...this is not my horse and i am not riding him. I have been put in charge by the owner to find the reason why hes doing this. I am second in command to the BO which is my mum. Thank you
2007-08-29 19:26:51 · update #2
sorry...i totally forgot to add this...I live in Canada..theres no possoms
2007-08-29 23:20:37 · update #3
Dragging the back legs is usually a symptom of a neurological problem and there are a few specific illnesses that can cause it. It is a main symptom of EPM and also a sign of West Nile, EHV (Equine Herpes Virus) and EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia). Locking stifles will also cause the hind leg to drag but that usually occurs on one side, not both legs. I would have a vet come out ASAP because if it is neurological, you shouldn't be riding the horse and a quick diagnosis is very important for the horse's welfare.
2007-08-29 19:24:15 · answer #1 · answered by lisa m 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Even if someone were able to give you an 'idea' or suggestion as to what the cause for the mare's ailments might be, there is absolutely no way to confirm their suggestions, **unless a qualified veterinarian fully examines the horse** plain and simple. "I do believe they have had a vet check the horse but they couldn't do anything more." The answer lies right there. If the vet they had examine the horse said nothing could be done, the kindest and smartest thing to do would be to put the mare down. Not the most wonderful of options but it is what would be best for the horse if there truly is nothing that can be done for the mare. Though even IF something could be done for her, by the sounds of it your friends family could not afford the proper treatment. So if proper treatment is not in the cards and the mare can hardly walk, her quality of life is extremely low and it is not at all fair to force her to continue such an existence. There is absolutely nothing wrong about choosing euthanasia for this horse. It really would be the most humane thing to do for her. And I'm sure your friend and her family want what is best for the horse and right now being barely able to walk and dragging her legs is not the way she should be living. It is an extremely difficult decision, no doubt about that. But making sure the mare is comfortable, happy and pain free is ultimately what it is all about.
2016-03-13 10:31:46 · answer #2 · answered by Mary 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of good ideas...I skimmed very quickly.
I will only add to check for stifle problems. My SSH mare had a leg dragging issue after being kicked by another horse. It was the stifle...She healed without surgery; a friend's colt had to have surgical correction for stifle issues. (Not an expensive surgery at a big VM center; something a good surgical vet can do in practice.)
When the horse "drags" try facing him head on, and backing him several steps. Then watch him as he moves forward. If it resolves, he likely has stifle problems.
2007-08-30 00:24:48 · answer #3 · answered by cnsdubie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its midnight and I'm called out with a patient so I'm mad and can't think lol.
But there is some syndrome that causes this. I can't remember sorry. But this is definately a vet worthy issue and needs to be addressed. Anytime a horse drags his legs other than daisy dusting and trips and falls, hes not sound. Good luck and I hope its a good outcome.
2007-08-29 19:02:06 · answer #4 · answered by Mulereiner 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't have a horse,but I know that spinal injuries in dogs,cats and other animals can cause dragging of the rear legs ( my dachshund mix has this problem right now and is taking prednisone for it),and spinal injuries in people can affect the legs as well.I'd call the vet and stop riding until you find out what;s going on.The horse,as well as whoever is riding him could get seriously injured or killed.
2007-08-29 18:11:52 · answer #5 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
dragging back legs?
my friends horse seems to have this problem with dragging his back legs when he's being ridden. He ends up tripping and throwing the rider and falling on his knees. He doesnt have Navicular Disease because he's dragging his back legs, not his fronts. Its not a stifle injury because he's...
2015-08-26 09:15:48 · answer #6 · answered by Dallas 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That sounds like EPM Equine Protozoan Myelitis. It is contracted from the feces of possum. It is prevalent in the wetter states or wherever there are large populations of possum.
It is treatable but extremely expensive and the prognosis is not always good. Dragging back legs and general hind leg weakness is a prime symptom.
I had a friend who's gelding got EPM and she fought it from the time she moved to Georgia when he got it at about 9yrs.(I think) until he was 15-17yrs.old( I think) and she realized that he was getting worse every summer and she had him put down. She actually had an article she wrote, published in Equus a few years back, maybe 2002, but don't hold me to it on the year of the article.
2007-08-29 20:04:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Call the vet right away, that sounds like it could be very serious. It could be something to do with his spine. I also knew a horse with arthritis that caused her to drag her feet slightly when she was feeling particularly bad, but not to that extent. Have x-rays done on the legs and back.
2007-08-29 18:28:57 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This could be due to a certain conformation fault, called a straight hind leg; the hind leg appears to nearly ram-rod straight from the stifle to the hoof. Horses with this condition are prone to having hocks that will lock straight for one or more strides, causing them to drag the hoof along the ground. There really is no cure for it, other than training the horse to go with his hocks underneath him, as opposed to strung out behind him, where they are more likely to lock.
2007-08-30 01:45:50 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It might be a tick or it could be a pinched nerve from the spine (he could be dragging his back legs in pain but not showing it on the outside or the saddle could be puting pressure on a nerve hence blocking the pathway of the nerves to his back legs) you could find a vet that does acupuncture or someone who can do reikie
2007-08-29 22:20:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋