Re: Mystery Lameness Problem

["superpat" <superpat@gateway.net>]

I haven't a clue to offer about Cougar's lameness....sorry. But I will tell
you that when I first started riding my four year old Arabian, she would get
a "hitch" in her hip and do a couple of hops til she recovered her balance.
I tried just about everything to no avail. Sometimes, she would do it a
couple of times on a trail ride and I would get off and hand walk her for a
stretch and then re-mount. No vet or chiropractor seemed to be able to
explain it. Her hips were out occasionally and the chiro would help that.
Then at age seven, I started taking dressage lessons. And loved it. It was a
while before it occurred to me that Engelita had not had a mis-step in a
long time. And now, at age 10, she never has a problem. In fact, she is sure
footed on the trail whether there are rocks or it is down hill. She is a
going girl and a joy to ride. Now, I cannot say for sure that the dressage
developed her where she was weak, but it sure seemed to help her with
balance and way of going.
But I must say that it is certainly important that you get a good, competent
instructor. I had a doozy for a long time and I and my horses learned next
to nothing. But a competent, knowledgeable dressage instructor is worth
gold.
Good luck with Cougar.
Pat

----- Original Message -----
From: <guest@endurance.net>
To: <ridecamp@endurance.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2000 8:40 AM
Subject: RC: Mystery Lameness Problem


> Kerry Redente kerry.redente@po.state.ct.us
> I'm not a guest, I regularly subscribe to ridecamp but I'm having trouble
posting my previous message.  So I'm trying it this way.
> Here's my dilema:
>
> I need some advice.  I have a 3 ½ yr. old Arabian colt who has been having
inconsistent lameness problems for almost a year now.  I have had 3 vets, a
chiropractor (also using acupuncture), and message therapist look at him,
even my farrier making sure all hoof angles are even.  I've had his knees,
hocks, and stifles x-rayed, everything is fine.
>
> Here's the problem, my horse, Cougar will short stride with the right
front leg at a jog, improves when trotting out, his right hind also seems to
track to the outside, almost as if he's swinging it around rather than
bringing it directly under him.  The chiropractor did find that his right
hip was slightly out of alignment, pushed down and forward out of position.
He moved it back into alignment, he thought it might have accounted for him
swinging the hind leg.  Cougar did to improve his movement in the hind end
but continued to short stride in the front.  After the chiropractor visit
this May, I gave Cougar time off completely until about a month ago.  Now
before you all start yelling at me, I don't ride Cougar that much.  Ring
work for about 20-30 minutes a couple times a week and some short trail
rides.  Cougar doesn't always short stride in the front either.  There
doesn't seem to be a pattern of lameness either.  Now I should mention that
Cougar is still a stud colt, at least until this Friday, and is out with a
gelding.  I see them playing a lot and Cougar does rear up and stand on his
hind legs.  Could he be making himself sore?  I have found that when I cinch
him up, he's sore in the girth area and between the front legs.
>
> What should I do?  I'm sick of the vets, each one saying something
different.  Do you think its muscular?  Should I continue back with the
message therapy and maybe even the chiropractor again?  I've also have had
Cougar on Corta-Flex and MSM  Didn't seem to help.  Has anyone had this
problem with their horse and found the solution?  I really need advice
because I don't know what to do at this point.  Any suggestions or comments
would be helpfull.  Please feel free to email me privately:
kerry.redente@po.state.ct.us
>
> Kerry Redente
> West Suffield, CT
>
>
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