khall wrote:Wonder if the shivers (and does he have PSSM too?) have anything to do with it.
He does have PSSM 2, I don't think either is causing this issue, although he does seem to have proprioceptive issues going from soft to hard (concrete) surfaces.
silk wrote:Post mortem, we could see it was her joints. They were f*cked, well and truly. OC, OCD, DJD, the lot. Every single joint in every limb was affected in some way, and far worse than her very light riding history would indicate.
Silk, that's so sad... he's rising 6 so I really hope that all his joints are in pretty good shape...
angela9823 wrote:have you ever tried to run - yourself - on the arena you ride in versus the grass you were on this weekend? This could have nothing at all to do with feet but instead just the inertia it takes to ride in your normal arena.
Actually good point. The arena sand is probably beach sand, and the rounded particles mean it does not compact well and has deep (awful) spots and shallow, HARD areas too. It's awful. The only time if feels good is when it's been raining... when of course the barn manager shuts the arena for reasons utterly unknown (ARGH)
So, I think it's really a matter of two things: one is the "bounce" in whatever he's being ridden on (yesterday we trotted up a grassy field - he felt amazing again) and the other is his feet. His dam had thin soles I think, and was always shod (perhaps pads?) and he is the same - v ouchy without shoes. Currently only plain ones in font, but touch a rock with the hinds and he's v tenderfooted.
I really don't want to continue on with boots - on trail rides they twist and I cannot wear them for shows. I wouldn't dare use them for jumping as he's a bit clumsy. I really feel like plastic shoes for the hinds are the next thing to try..... just praying we don't have to go with pads in front too!