My horse is moving funny??

Question

also when i ask him to trot or canter he does reluctantly, but it feels very unbalanced, but does not look it (i've video taped) but when i'm trailing or jumping he feels and acts fine.

Answer 1

I would have a vet check him out or horse chiropractor.  Pehaps he needs some massage or adjustment of spine.  When horses get older, they are like people, they have problems

Answer 2

Take him to the vet. He might have some problems in his bones.

Answer 3

This is mostly about you're riding than him, although I will add that thoroughbreds don't live as long as other breeds and 18 is quite old.

A running rein, is that the on where is makes his head do down, if so you should not use this! Especially if he refuses to come round without it, it is extreamly hard work for any horse to become round or collected and you must teach him a little each day.

If you don't have a teacher I would get one because it is something you can't teach yourself without damaging the horse.

You may even have to try on another horse which can do it first.

Yes horses do become slower when you do this exercise because its harder, also when you "play" with the reins you are also telling them to stop. What you must do is continuously push forwards with your carves, sit back and let your leg drop. (Most people find it easier without stirrups because you leg wraps round the horse's belly) You hold the outside rein and the inside sponges.

I don't know if you already know this, but even so I would get a good dressage teacher or practice on another horse first.

Answer 4

This does not sound like arthritis to me.  If he has energy on the trail and is hard to slow but no energy in the arena the problem may simply be that he is bored by the arena.  Many horses do not have suitable temperaments for arena work.

One other possibility is that if you have deep sand in the arena then he could have tendon issues.  Deep sand is hard on the tendons since the hoof is dragged though it each time it is lifted and pulled forward.  This creates strain.  I really doubt that this is the problem just mentioning the possibility.  I really think the problem is boredom with flat work.  He is simply not happy about the work and letting you know it.

Answer 5

To rule out any arthritis or other problems, have a vet come out and do a thorough evaluation. If your TB is like most, he probably had some racetrack experience. If this is the case, injuries or stress from early in his life might be coming back to haunt him now. Do you have him on any joint supplements or glucosomine? I keep all my horses on Cosequin for their joints, and several get additional injections to keep them supple and feeling good.

Because of his age, I would say at least part of your problem may come from stiffness on your horse's part. You say it gets better after warming up. I've got an older jumper now who takes maybe fifteen minutes of just trotting on a loose rein before he's loose and supple enough to start collecting and balancing. You have to listen to your horse. If he's stiff and unable to move forward, just be soft and quiet and let him warm up on his own. When he's moving freer, then ask for more by gathering him up and taking a feel of the reins. Don't forget to keep leg on, though, as it's common for many horses to want to slow down when they start to frame up. It's easier on them, less work. But adding your leg will encourage him to move forward into the bit. Let your hands be soft and just be there. Don't try to muscle his head down by pulling, or you'll create a false frame and his back will hollow out. This might be the cause of some of his unbalance.

Also remember, his age and background might prevent him from collecting quite as much anymore. You can't really know until you have a vet evaluate him. Good luck.