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Discussion on Gait problem
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Posted on Monday, Mar 20, 2000 - 2:32 pm:
I am considering buying an 8 yr. old TB. He is trained 3rd level dressage and his worse gait is a walk. He moves crooked and appears stiff but when warmed up is better. Could this be arthritis? The owner said the walk has always been his worse gait and that he has always had this tendendcy to go crooked in other gaits.
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Posted on Monday, Mar 20, 2000 - 5:25 pm:
"Trained 3rd level dressage"
Has he been shown at any level in dressage? If so, I would ask to see the tests and look at the judge's comments and scores. I would be interested if "crooked" shows up in any of the tests.
Many horses have a tendancy to position their hips "in," especially as many riders accept this. Remember that the horse is narrower in the front than behind, so to travel straight the shoulders are actually positioned a small amount over, in front of the hips. Straightness is then determined to be when the hind hooves are tracking in the same tracks as the front ones.
8 seems young to have arthritis. But there is no age limit on training problems to correct, GRIN. How does the horse move when lunged without a rider? How is his natural walk and canter? Typically, it is easier to improve a trot than it is a walk or canter.
He could have issues with rider skills, saddle fit, bit, old injury, shoeing, etc. that is causing him to be crooked. You would want to have this fellow vetted and perhaps some x-rays, depending on flexion tests, etc.
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