Posted 2012-03-17 9:46 PM (#142226) Subject: horse has trouble standing when picking up front leg
Member
Posts: 6
Location: Stevensville, MD
Anyone experience this with their horse? We were out for a ride today and when my boyfriend picked up his horse's front leg to pick out his foot the horse squated down on his rear end, like he couldn't stand. He thought the horse was just not squared up and did it again and the horse went down to his knees. (Either front leg) Thought maybe the horse was sore on his front feet but he picked up his rear leg and clean out his feet with no problem. The horse is not on grass, basically a dry lot. He is not over weight and does not seem to have any other problems. My boyfriend is a farrier so he is sure he is not foot sore. Any ideas? Thanks everyone!
Posted 2012-03-18 4:21 PM (#142241 - in reply to #142226) Subject: RE: horse has trouble standing when picking up front leg
Veteran
Posts: 201 Location: Lincoln, NE
How unusual. Some of the things I'd wonder about: 1) founder - usually front feet affected more that back; 2)arthritis or other source of pain in either front leg.
Has your bf owned the horse for a while? Is this unusual for the horse to do? Recent trimming or shoeing? If it isn't behavioral then the horse must be experiencing discomfort when his front feet lifted.
Posted 2012-03-19 7:49 PM (#142303 - in reply to #142226) Subject: RE: horse has trouble standing when picking up front leg
Veteran
Posts: 186
We need more info? Why did you stop to pick out the front hoof? Was the horse off? If you have ruled out all above suggestions I would take the horse to a chiropractor, then a vet. Please post findings - when you know something. Thanks
Posted 2012-03-21 12:41 AM (#142337 - in reply to #142226) Subject: RE: horse has trouble standing when picking up front leg
Elite Veteran
Posts: 610 Location: Northern CA
behavioral issue? I have seen horses do this if they haven't had much done with them in a while. Behavioral thing ya know? Especially a young horse who hasn't had a lot done with him recently.
Posted 2012-03-21 7:29 AM (#142341 - in reply to #142226) Subject: RE: horse has trouble standing when picking up front leg
Regular
Posts: 51 Location: VA
I think jackbrat is on the right track. Has this problem reocurrred later away from where this happened? Is this a green or barn sore horse? I had a green horse that was afraid of crossing water that would actually try to lay down to avoid it. It could as proposed an avoidance issue based on fear or being exhausted if out of condition. If continues, see a vet first.
Posted 2012-03-23 12:06 PM (#142422 - in reply to #142226) Subject: RE: horse has trouble standing when picking up front leg
Regular
Posts: 51 Location: VA
I was talking to a friend yesterday who reminded me about his horse falling to his knees last year when he picked up either front leg. Turns out the problem was "locked stifles". The horse could not balance himself when his front leg was lifted to pick out his hoof. Locked stifles occurs more frequently in gaited horses that have to move each leg separately. A lot on the web about this problem that seems to become chronic.
horse has trouble standing when picking up front leg
