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Discussion on Gelding knuckling over on hind fetlocks
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New Member:
Jessar
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Posted on Friday, Aug 11, 2006 - 11:11 pm:
I have a 3 year old gelding that I purchased last fall. At the time of purchase he had 60 days training, 30 of which were under saddle. I've ridden him some since purchasing him, but have not ridden with much regularity due to building a new barn. In the last month or so, when I am lunging him at the trot, his rear fetlocks intermittently just give out. It doesn't happen on every stride, just here & there and only to the rear fetlocks. Sometimes it will be just one, sometimes both. When they give out, he'll catch himself, have a few good strides & then it will happen again. I loped him tonight on the longe line to see how he was doing & it seems when I could keep him in the lope, his hind legs appeared to be much closer together than they should be. From the time I bought this horse he has always seemed a bit on the lazy side with me always having to keep after him to keep him in the trot, lope etc...both lunging & riding. Also, something else to note, he does drag his toes both front & back when he trots, but has done that from day one. One vet said to have him checked for EPM or wobblers, but another said that from what I'm describing it didn't sound like that, but possibly a check ligament. My farrier also said he didn't think wobbler's or EPM & we could try shoeing him & putting a wedge in the back to build him up a little. Both the vet & the farrier thought a chiropractor might help. Has anyone had a horse with symptoms like this or does anyone have any ideas on where I should turn next?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 12, 2006 - 11:08 am:
Welcome Jody, there can be many things that cause a horse to knuckle over as you describe:- Muscular weakness
- Extensor tendon rupture
- Neurological disease
- Poor trimming
- Conformation
It will require a good physical exam to differentiate them.
DrO
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Member:
Ryle
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 12, 2006 - 1:24 pm:
Jody,
Did either of the vets you've talked to actually perform an exam on your horse? If not, that's where you need to start. As Dr. O said, there can be many things that cause knuckling over and without a good examination you are really just guessing at where to start.
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Member:
Scooter
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Posted on Saturday, Aug 12, 2006 - 1:40 pm:
Hi Jody, My gelding does this whenever his back toes get too long. We keep his breakover back by rounding his back toes somewhat and rolling them a little. About a week before he is due to be trim he starts doing it again. Not always but usually. Might be something to look into. He also is a little lazy, and close behind.
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