Horse is dragging his feet

casnbug · 11-17-2007, 06:09 PM

My horse does not naturally have a gracefull way or moving. He naturally keeps his feet low to the ground when he moves. I've noticed before that he drags his feet at the trot and that it seems to get worse right before the farrier comes (both with and without a rider). Well today I was riding him and he stumbled over himself and sent me flying off. The farrier comes tuesday so I'm going to bring it up with him, but in the meantime what can i do to teach my horse to pick up his feet when I'm riding him? Has anyone else dealt with this? He's an Azteca (Quarter Horse and Andalusian cross)...I'm not trying to get him to pick up him feet like a show horse, I just don't want him tripping over himself all the time.

SunnyKS · 11-17-2007, 06:17 PM

You just described the horse in my avatar! He will fill your shoes with dirt leading him around.

walking and trotting over ground poles was a big help with him. But if yours is anything like mine do it on the ground first.

scrapchick · 11-17-2007, 06:19 PM

Is your horse gaited? My foxtrotter, if not collected properly, will stumble because she isnt paying attention.

Smosley38 · 11-17-2007, 06:19 PM

I was just watching a show on RFDTV about that. With Clinton Anderson. He said that a horse will do that when they are lazy or not paying attention. He had a solution. *smiles* Then I had to leave for work. I have never been to his web site but I wonder if they have a question form or something. I know there was ground work involved. But I didnt get to see all of it. Sorry

**seerfarm** · 11-17-2007, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyKS

You just described the horse in my avatar! He will fill your shoes with dirt leading him around.

walking and trotting over ground poles was a big help with him. But if yours is anything like mine do it on the ground first.

This is always what I use to teach them to pick there feet up a little higher. As they begin to pick up there feet I raise the poles about 2 in. with a block of 2x4 and it helps them be a little more feet and leg conscious.

casnbug · 11-17-2007, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smosley38

I was just watching a show on RFDTV about that. With Clinton Anderson. He said that a horse will do that when they are lazy or not paying attention. He had a solution. *smiles* Then I had to leave for work. I have never been to his web site but I wonder if they have a question form or something. I know there was ground work involved. But I didnt get to see all of it. Sorry

That's ok, I have a timer set to record all of his new episodes on rfd-tv...if it played anytime in the last week or so then it's probably just sitting there on my dish receiver just waiting to be discovered.

I've just been so busy that I haven't had time to watch them lately. How funny would it be if I had the answer to my question just waiting for me on my own t.v.?

jackiev · 11-17-2007, 06:38 PM

The horse in my avitar is a Spotted Saddle, and he's gaited. I've noticed lately that he trips a lot. We were riding today, and he tripped a couple of times. I am going to try the ground work over poles....makes lots of sense.
THANX!!

joustinggirl · 11-17-2007, 06:45 PM

Dragging and stumbling can also be signs of medical problems such as weak stifles, caudal heel problems (navicular syndrome), diseases such as EPM or neurological problems. A vet check is always a good idea because his and your safety are the first priority. If all checks out good, then hes just a lazy bum!!

casnbug · 11-17-2007, 07:43 PM

I'm pretty sure it's not a medical issue. I just bought him a couple of months ago and I got a fantastic vet check at the time from an excellent local vet. She did stress tests on him and everything...he just seems lazy that's all. He's not gaited, and its always worse right before the farrier comes to trim him up. (I think just because his toes are longer). I've done lots of groundwork with Oakie (I'm into natural horsemanship), but I've never worked him over poles. Does anyone know of a good thread/article on what improvements to look for and how to setup a good ground pole challenge? How long will it typically take before I start to see my klutz turn into that graceful animal I imagine/desparately want him to be? Thanks for all your help guys.

**seerfarm** · 11-17-2007, 08:02 PM

Found this article which might help with spacing and set-up for ground work using poles. Hope it helps.

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/...nagement/16436

It really didn't clarify the poles, but for cheap inexpensive ones, go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get 2 Inch round PVC at 8 foot in length.

casnbug · 11-17-2007, 08:18 PM

Thanks Seerfarm. That's exactly the kind of article I was looking for.

**seerfarm** · 11-17-2007, 08:21 PM

Your Welcome, and if you want to find more just Google...ground working horses over poles. There were quite a few pages.

AlbertaGirl · 11-17-2007, 08:40 PM

Did he do this from the first day you got him, or did it start after a while? I'm curious if your farrier is taking off too much heel, and leaving the toes too long... I have a really good farrier, and the way she trims them, they get long, but it's kind of all-over, not just the toes. From the way you said it gets worse before a trim, I couldn't help but wonder...

Mule Fool · 11-18-2007, 07:39 AM

My first thought was his toes are too long. Be sure and tell your farrier. he can trim or shoe so he breaks over quicker to get his foot picked up faster. You might also need to go to a shorter interval between shoeings.

**Range** · 11-18-2007, 09:16 AM

Talk to your farrier about rolling his toes and getting him to breakover faster. If it continues to be a problem, and there's nothing medical involved, try the cross poles. However, since I've "been there done that" with my gelding, I can also tell you that laziness can play a huge role. I have to really get after my gelding to get him to stop tripping! He does it on purpose to try to get me to stop riding him!

I'd be interested to hear Clinton's solution since I've done all the other tricks and I'm ready for a new approach.

princesskristin · 11-18-2007, 09:51 AM

Ground poles will get the horse paying attention to where they are placing their feet.

barnmom · 11-18-2007, 10:34 AM

I agree with Range, Gracie was very trippy and my farrier rolled her toes, just slightly and it cured it, I would ask your farrier his opinion.

Slim Pikkens · 11-18-2007, 12:27 PM

If you type in the word cavaletti, you will find a site that gives the spacing for walk, trot, canter. We use 4x4's with the edges trimmed off. Lazy horses won't care it they strike a pvc pipe but have more respect for something substantial. You should also be able to find the spacing for lunge work, but even walking with the horse as he crosses the poles helps. If you lay out 6 or 7 poles the last is is often elevated even if just on a tire.

trinabug · 11-20-2007, 03:36 PM

hey casnbug how about an update....what did your ferrier think.....don't leave us hanging

casnbug · 11-20-2007, 06:21 PM

Well the farrier came this morning. He watched Oakie move and we decided to try rolling his toes. He seemed to be moving better after his trim, but I won't really be able to tell until tomorrow since I'm babysitting tonight and can't ride until tomorrow. I'll let everyone know how he moves after our ride tomorrow.

Almost forgot...I started doing some real easy ground poles with him the other day. I setup 5 wooden 4x4 ground poles at a walking distance and just asked him to walk through both ways. We tried it for a total of about 10 minutes and he was still hitting the occasional pole. I'm going to try this again tomorrow now that he's had his trim and see if he does any better at this.

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11-17-2007, 06:09 PM
casnbug Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 230	Horse is dragging his feet My horse does not naturally have a gracefull way or moving. He naturally keeps his feet low to the ground when he moves. I've noticed before that he drags his feet at the trot and that it seems to get worse right before the farrier comes (both with and without a rider). Well today I was riding him and he stumbled over himself and sent me flying off. The farrier comes tuesday so I'm going to bring it up with him, but in the meantime what can i do to teach my horse to pick up his feet when I'm riding him? Has anyone else dealt with this? He's an Azteca (Quarter Horse and Andalusian cross)...I'm not trying to get him to pick up him feet like a show horse, I just don't want him tripping over himself all the time.

11-17-2007, 06:17 PM
SunnyKS Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,517	You just described the horse in my avatar! He will fill your shoes with dirt leading him around. walking and trotting over ground poles was a big help with him. But if yours is anything like mine do it on the ground first. __________________

11-17-2007, 06:19 PM
scrapchick Kid Safe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Festus, Missouri Posts: 5,066	Is your horse gaited? My foxtrotter, if not collected properly, will stumble because she isnt paying attention.

11-17-2007, 06:19 PM
Smosley38 Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Missouri Posts: 149	I was just watching a show on RFDTV about that. With Clinton Anderson. He said that a horse will do that when they are lazy or not paying attention. He had a solution. smiles Then I had to leave for work. I have never been to his web site but I wonder if they have a question form or something. I know there was ground work involved. But I didnt get to see all of it. Sorry

11-17-2007, 06:38 PM
jackiev Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ellenton Florida Posts: 118	The horse in my avitar is a Spotted Saddle, and he's gaited. I've noticed lately that he trips a lot. We were riding today, and he tripped a couple of times. I am going to try the ground work over poles....makes lots of sense. THANX!!

11-17-2007, 06:45 PM
joustinggirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boones Mill, Virgina Posts: 3,392	Dragging and stumbling can also be signs of medical problems such as weak stifles, caudal heel problems (navicular syndrome), diseases such as EPM or neurological problems. A vet check is always a good idea because his and your safety are the first priority. If all checks out good, then hes just a lazy bum!! __________________ Pink Tiger says \'Grrrrrr\'

11-17-2007, 07:43 PM
casnbug Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 230	I'm pretty sure it's not a medical issue. I just bought him a couple of months ago and I got a fantastic vet check at the time from an excellent local vet. She did stress tests on him and everything...he just seems lazy that's all. He's not gaited, and its always worse right before the farrier comes to trim him up. (I think just because his toes are longer). I've done lots of groundwork with Oakie (I'm into natural horsemanship), but I've never worked him over poles. Does anyone know of a good thread/article on what improvements to look for and how to setup a good ground pole challenge? How long will it typically take before I start to see my klutz turn into that graceful animal I imagine/desparately want him to be? Thanks for all your help guys.

11-17-2007, 08:02 PM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Out with the Herd! Posts: 8,237	Found this article which might help with spacing and set-up for ground work using poles. Hope it helps. http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/...nagement/16436 It really didn't clarify the poles, but for cheap inexpensive ones, go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get 2 Inch round PVC at 8 foot in length. __________________ "Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us". ~Hal Borland Last edited by seerfarm : 11-17-2007 at 08:04 PM.

11-17-2007, 08:18 PM
casnbug Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 230	Thanks Seerfarm. That's exactly the kind of article I was looking for.

11-17-2007, 08:21 PM
seerfarm Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Out with the Herd! Posts: 8,237	Your Welcome, and if you want to find more just Google...ground working horses over poles. There were quite a few pages. __________________ "Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us". ~Hal Borland

11-17-2007, 08:40 PM
AlbertaGirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 3,431	Did he do this from the first day you got him, or did it start after a while? I'm curious if your farrier is taking off too much heel, and leaving the toes too long... I have a really good farrier, and the way she trims them, they get long, but it's kind of all-over, not just the toes. From the way you said it gets worse before a trim, I couldn't help but wonder... __________________ Some people say horses don't have a sense of humor... they obviously haven't met mine yet ;o)

11-18-2007, 07:39 AM
Mule Fool Started Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Washington State Posts: 2,283	My first thought was his toes are too long. Be sure and tell your farrier. he can trim or shoe so he breaks over quicker to get his foot picked up faster. You might also need to go to a shorter interval between shoeings.

11-18-2007, 09:16 AM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,898	Talk to your farrier about rolling his toes and getting him to breakover faster. If it continues to be a problem, and there's nothing medical involved, try the cross poles. However, since I've "been there done that" with my gelding, I can also tell you that laziness can play a huge role. I have to really get after my gelding to get him to stop tripping! He does it on purpose to try to get me to stop riding him! I'd be interested to hear Clinton's solution since I've done all the other tricks and I'm ready for a new approach. __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

11-18-2007, 09:51 AM
princesskristin Coming two Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,596	Ground poles will get the horse paying attention to where they are placing their feet. __________________ Sometimes you just got to take a ride of faith.

11-18-2007, 10:34 AM
barnmom Coming two Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: northeast pennsylvania Posts: 1,876	I agree with Range, Gracie was very trippy and my farrier rolled her toes, just slightly and it cured it, I would ask your farrier his opinion. __________________ Remember to thank the horses for the happiness and joy we experience through them! It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice!

11-18-2007, 12:27 PM
Slim Pikkens Greenbroke Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 3,003	If you type in the word cavaletti, you will find a site that gives the spacing for walk, trot, canter. We use 4x4's with the edges trimmed off. Lazy horses won't care it they strike a pvc pipe but have more respect for something substantial. You should also be able to find the spacing for lunge work, but even walking with the horse as he crosses the poles helps. If you lay out 6 or 7 poles the last is is often elevated even if just on a tire.

11-20-2007, 03:36 PM
trinabug Weanling Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 237	hey casnbug how about an update....what did your ferrier think.....don't leave us hanging

11-20-2007, 06:21 PM
casnbug Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 230	Well the farrier came this morning. He watched Oakie move and we decided to try rolling his toes. He seemed to be moving better after his trim, but I won't really be able to tell until tomorrow since I'm babysitting tonight and can't ride until tomorrow. I'll let everyone know how he moves after our ride tomorrow. Almost forgot...I started doing some real easy ground poles with him the other day. I setup 5 wooden 4x4 ground poles at a walking distance and just asked him to walk through both ways. We tried it for a total of about 10 minutes and he was still hitting the occasional pole. I'm going to try this again tomorrow now that he's had his trim and see if he does any better at this. Last edited by casnbug : 11-20-2007 at 06:24 PM. Reason: Edited to add more info