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  Discussion on Disunited in the canter
Author Message
Member:
Lorrieg

Posted on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 4:22 pm:

Dr O,

We own a 5yr old AQHA gelding that was diagnosed as having EPSM. He has been on the high fat diet for approximately 2 mos now, and is doing much better.
My question is about the canter, occasionly I lunge him (for a few laps only to see how it is progressing) but he is consistantly disunited when cantering either way.
Will building up his muscles at the trot and gradually increasing the amount of trotting time eventually take care of the problem, and is this a common side effect of horses afflicted with EPSM?
Thank you for your time and response!

Lorrie
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 6:16 am:

Addressing your general questions:
  • Yes EPSM horses suffer from stiffness behind.
  • Recovery from EPSM is a long process taking up to 6 months.
  • All horse's canter on small circles improve with practice and conditioning.

So it sounds like you have a good chance things will get better but that assumes there are not other causes (lameness) for the disunited canter.
DrO
Member:
Lorrieg

Posted on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 11:16 am:

Thanks Dr O
I really don't think there are any other lameness issues, but I intend to have a few other tests done just to be sure. Thanks for your response.

Lorrie
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