Page 87 - Speedhorse, October 2021

VETERINARY VIEWS
“A checklist helps you to be proactive in identifying and addressing problems before they turn serious. If anything appears off, call your veterinarian for an appointment.”
A horse may resist the tacking process due to previous injury or scare,
or he may have simply developed bad habits.
with your veterinarian. Also, collaborate with your vet to design an exercise and conditioning program that builds up your horse’s body, rather than tearing it down.
WHILE TACKING UP
A horse may resist the tacking process due to previous injury or scare, or he may have simply developed bad habits. Saddling or bitting problems and resistance under saddle also arise from true pain related to ill-fitting tack, poor dental care, or musculoskeletal problems. Have your equine veterinarian check your horse’s mouth and teeth at least every 6-12 months and correct problems promptly. In the meantime, watch for these signs. Mouth/teeth
What’s Normal: Your horse allows you to check his teeth and mouth without resistance. Teeth, tongue, mouth, and lips are free from injury, and he receives once or twice annual checkups and appropriate dental care by your veterinarian.
What’s Not Normal: Resistance to bridling may tip you off that his mouth hurts. Sharp hooks on the upper or lower molars cause pain and affect eating.
What you should do: Call your equine veterinarian to evaluate your horse’s dentistry. Ask a knowledgeable riding instructor or trainer to help you evaluate bridle and bit fit. Withers/back
What’s Normal: A visual check reveals no sores, rub spots, or other abnormalities on the horse’s withers or back. Nothing feels out of the ordinary with hands-on investigation, and the horse stands quietly for saddling.
What’s Not Normal: Spots where the hair is rubbed off in the saddle area or resistance
to saddling are signs of problems. Hands-on investigation finds thickened tissue or texture changes in his skin and hair. After a ride, twisted clumps of hair or dry spots are evidence of abnormal friction or rubs beneath the saddle from abnormal pressure points. Long-term damage often results in hair color changes – white in a dark horse, black in a grey horse.
What to do: Consult with your veterinarian about saddle fit. Also consult a knowledgeable riding instructor or trainer, and/or certified saddle maker. Avoid saddling or riding the horse until the problem is identified and resolved.
IN-HAND & UNDER-SADDLE
In-hand
What’s Normal: On the lunge line or in a round pen, the horse trots evenly and in balance, head held naturally with no sign of favoring a leg.
What’s Not Normal: In a tight circle or on hard-packed dirt or asphalt, the horse shows signs of lameness. These might include an unbalanced gait, limping, or exaggerated head or limb movement. Subtle lameness problems often don’t show up on a straight line, but will under more demanding conditions, such as circles, inclines, various footing firmness, or when mounted under saddle.
What to do: Arrange for a lameness exam with your veterinarian and avoid saddling or riding until his soundness is evaluated and potentially resolved.
Under saddle
What’s Normal: A horse that trots evenly in both directions, accepts both leads at the canter, and executes upward and downward transitions fluidly.
What’s Not Normal: Resistance to picking up a lead. When changing gaits, the horse trips, stumbles, collapses a hip, twists his body, throws his head in the air, bucks, or wrings his tail. These are signs of possible pain.
What to do: Arrange for a lameness exam
with your veterinarian and avoid saddling or riding until the horse’s soundness is evaluated
and potentially resolved. While awaiting a vet appointment, you can check stride length by walking and trotting the horse through a level
area with a surface that shows each hoof imprint, such as a light sand layer. Measure the distance between steps to determine stride length. Check this measurement periodically to detect stride shortening that could indicate discomfort or tense muscles. Video of a horse’s gaits can also be helpful in identifying subtle lameness issues.
On the lunge line or in a round pen, the horse should trot evenly and
in balance,
head held naturally with no sign
of favoring a leg.
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