Could this horse be lame, or just out of shape?

Question

He is a 7 year old registered Quarter Horse Palomino gelding. When I was riding him at canter after less than 2 seconds it felt like he limped, I slowed him to a walk and then he wouldn't go any faster than a jog after that, but didn't seem as if he was in any pain. Could he be lame? (He is out of shape). Does anyone have any tips on how to tell? There is no swelling, or heat. He stands on it just fine. He doesn't bob his head when he is in motion?

Answer 1

It sounds like he's just out of shape and sn't really ready to canter with a rider.  You can look for lameness by putting the horse on a lunge line and trotting and cantering it each way.  At the trot, look to see that the pairs are landing at exactly the same time and watch his head to see if it bobs down when a particular foot hits the ground.  Look at both the trot and canter to see if he's using his hind end or not to push himself forward.  Ask him to trot and canter both ways in a rather small circle because lameness is usually most obvious on a turn.  Try to tell if the horse is using his whole hoof or if he's trying to stand on his toes (that would mean that the heel of that hoof hurts).  If he's just out of shape, then spend a lot of time at the walk and trot before you ask him to canter again and when you do ask for the canter be patient with him and take lots of walk breaks so you don't tire him out too much.  Until you can ride him cantering, you can always lunge him at the canter to get his strength built up... but always take breaks no matter what you're asking of him.