That's a bit of a mystery, isn't it? I wonder if he had an injury, like a ripped muscle or nerve injury, which only gives him a problem with a rider's weight on it at certain times or when you put it under any type of stress. It may just be situated where he can move quite freely with it, until it is compromised in a way in which he would not freely choose to move, such as when you are riding, or holding his leg up. Perhaps also he is trying to prevent it being painful by refusing to lift his leg higher.
That may not be much help but I know I had a fall three weeks ago off a horse. Only in certain movements, on certain strides did I feel compromised. The doctor said I ripped muscles deep within my butt and leg area....which is where your intuition seems to be telling you your horse is sore. If someone had tried to lift my leg I would have winced and refused. When I was trying to lift riders onto horses, every so often I would wince. But when I was free to move, I knew when and how to run, jump, walk, etc, because I had nobody on my back being lifted onto a horse and nobody trying to lift my leg. Seems like he is kinda in a position which can cause some pain to him, if he bears weight or has to balance and use those muscles.
It might also be some sort of hoof absess coming on, when it appears that the pain is higher up, because the hoof is bearing weight, so kinda shifts weight to deal with it. But you would probably know in a short time if this were the case, with more severe non weight bearing pain resulting, with a toe pointed to the ground and a very sore and sorry horse.
I would say if it worsens, though, get someone to check his back. And while he is telling you something is wrong, just be really careful not to aggravate it at all. Hopefully, time will heal it. I know day one of my horse fall, I climbed on 3 horses and rode after it, then was literally falt on my back for 4 days (bar doing basics for my horses), the next weekend I rode, but needed someone to help me off horse, then next weekend I rode, but with some pain, then this weekend, I finally rode with just a tickly feeling.
Some horses suffer in silence, too, so just be careful of that. :)
Kim xoxooxox
________________________________
From: Ashley Northup <anp817@hotmail.com>
To: yahoo <askavet@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Monday, 5 October, 2009 2:33:04 PM
Subject: [AskAVet] Hip Issue
Hi Guys,
I have a 4 yr old Friesian x TB with a hip issue I'm wondering about. I noticed he was stiff on his hip about three weeks ago. I went to mount for our ride and he was fine, but when I asked him to walk on it was almost like when us humans are walking and it feels like your knee gives out on you. So I walked him out for about 10 minutes (the problem kept happening every 10th stride or so) and I decided I should dismount. He went on stall rest for a couple of days then back out to the pasture. We keep them out for most of the day and bring them in at about 10:00 at night and they go back out at around 6-7 in the morning. He was fine until today. I went to pick his hoof, this is his back right leg with the isue, and it looked like he couldn't bring his leg up. At this point I'm not sure if it is a stifle issue or a hip issue. He walks, trots, canters, bucks etc. just fine in the pasture with no limp or hitch to his step. He stands square with full weight on
it, it just seems to gimp every now and then. Has anyone had any similar issues? He's pretty much my baby and I'm worried about him though he doesn't seem to be in any pain. Any suggestions? ?
Thanks,
Ashley
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