Re: Tripping Horse very long

[JPascu@aol.com]

Julia;

This is a rather long response to your email, possibly because of too much
tea.
I am assuming that when you say "tripping" you mean stumbling. If the horse is
tripping because it is interferring, toed out conformation will contribute to
this, then a conference with the DVM and Shoer are in order. You may notice
that the hore trips more often when the front legs are loaded, like going
downhill on the forehand. This is definitely dangerous, for the obvious.
If the horse is "stumbling" then there are any number of possible causes. I
assume that the Chiropractor used is also a DVM and ruled out anything
neurological. 
I am also assuming that the horse being heavy on the fore-hand has also been
ruled out. If not, then I would contact a DVM and assure the horse engaes from
behind. Of, course with a young horse or any horse there will be times of
moving weight to the forehand. (But we would like this to happen with
awareness, not as a habit). If this is the case the stumbling should be bi-
lateral, in other words it should have an equal chance of happening to left or
right leg. If it only happens to one leg, this is a red-flag to me and one
would definitely want a DVM's consultation.
Let's look at some possible "simple" causes and options for change:

1. The horse is not aware of his front legs. This happens, I do it, you do it,
loose awareness of our body while thinking. The solution here is to help bring
the legs back into awareness. This starts with grooming. When we pick up the
front feet to clean them, put a gentle stretch into the extensor by gently
pulling the foot back toward the fetlock. Gently circle the foot around each
of the lower joints, the fetlock, pastern, the coffin... Tap on the foot with
the hoof pick, all around top, bottom, around the hoof wall etc. 
Before you put the foot down take the leg back, cannon bone parallel to the
ground until you meet the first soft tissue barrier, wait here until the horse
releases that barrier and take up the slack. ( It is important that the joints
remain in their plane of operation). 
Now take the leg forward, support it behind the knee, until you again meet the
soft tissue barrier and wait for a release. It is important again to be aware
of the joint position as well as to respect the barrier. We want the animal to
release the barrier, not force through it, especially in the "cold" horse.
This routine should be done with every grooming session.
Next I would work the horse over ground poles on a lunge line or free.
Everytime the horse "hits" a pole with a foot stop and pick up the foot,
circle it at all the joints as above and tap it all over with a hoof pick or a
rock... Bring the foot back into the awareness.
Try some of this on yourself, circle your ankles wiggle your toes and see how
much more "aware" of them you become.

2. The horse only stumbles when being ridden. This is very complicated because
of the obvious rider and tack induced issues. This needs to be troubleshot, by
starting with a basic "horse" no tack, evaluating and then adding tack all the
way to rider. Start with the sports medicine boots and work your way up. Again
a key element, for me, would be the tendency to stumble predominantly on one
leg or both. 
Does the bit fit the horse, is the mouth in good shape dentistry wise. To a
Rolfer, the mandible and skull are part of the spine and influence the
biomechanics of the spine. Given that we have a possibility of interferring,
through our hands, with the action of the mandible and skull, we influence the
spine.
Does the tack allow the horse to move properly. I like to "look" at the horse
after grooming and get a mental image of their level of ease and comfort, then
I tack up and look again. Ideally there is no change the horse appears
comfortable. However if the horse looks tense then I need to determine why.
The horses deserves to be comfortable.
Is the rider the issue, their body mechanics. Do they sit quietly and in
harmony with the horse or not? 
I think that this is more than you wanted. I apologize for the length.
I hope it helps. Please let us know what worked and didn't.

jim pascucci
Advanced Certified Rolfer