When we bought Ace he moved straight, or we would not have paid so much money for him. I took off his shoes and not long after, and he began to move with an odd but quite sweet action in front. You can see it in the right (left to look at) formerly as he comes down towards the camera early in this video.
http://m.youtube.com/?reload=2&rdm=v0zm35li
( this link is currently pointing to completely the wrong place. You can search YouTube for Ace Beaver and watch September 5th if you are motivated enough)
He swings his knee outwards and his foot inwards. He does it on both legs, worse on the right.
Two days ago I thought I was imagining things. Yesterday there was no mistaking it. He has come straight.
It looks possible that the odd action was a compensation for the beginnings of back pain. If this is a permanent change it will be an utter triumph. As long as he is also happy to be ridden of course :-).
C
Couldn't get to the video from the link, but that's OK. I completely understand what you are talking about. Many horses develop "paddles" of sorts as result of balance issues--kind of getting their feet out of the way before they fall down. (Well,that's an overdramatized explanation.)
ReplyDeleteIt would make a lot of sense if Ace's newfound back comfort corrects his gait as he can now use his body correctly. This is indeed exciting news. On the other hand, it does make it a little harder for you to have to wait out the days until you can ride him again. *G*
I can't make t h e link work for some reason. I've done an edit.
ReplyDeleteC
Watching the novice test video, I am expecting that of all three gaits, his canter will be improved the most. His trot work is pretty darn good despite his back, so we know that's going to be amazing, but that canter should develop really well with a bit of work. He will start to flex his hocks more and bound up with each stride. In the video as good as he was being, it tends to look a little stiff.
ReplyDeleteIt's no exciting thinking of all the possibilities ahead of you with this!
I agree with all your observation Jean. I'm hopeful that we will get a lot more hock bend, but now also think we might get a lot more knee bend too.
DeleteC
Very interesting observation, I'll remember that in my work as another possible root cause for flight change in the limb :)
ReplyDeleteHis hind feet also bullnosed Tracey, for your data bank.His whole way of standing has changed. His front feet are taking much more weight in the heels, and his back ones more on the toes. His front feet, which have always been small, actually look bigger. I'll be measuring them soon and I'll let you know.
DeleteC