Why is Your Horse Tripping or Stumbling?

[@HorseGal123]

Background noise is distracting but all your videos are great and well done!

[@wiggwigg12]

I have a 16-17 year old Tennessee walker who trips big time in the arena. He’s generally more sure footed when we are outside. He tripped hard and fell (not to his knees but face to the dirt type of fall. Threw my very experienced trainer so it was unlikely to be rider error.) it’s more often at a canter and only occasionally at the running walk. Vet saw him, he sees a chiropractor monthly, routine farrier visits at the boarding barn. He will have little stumbles when lounging and big stumbles when being ridden. He’s out of shape for sure. Was a pasture pet before I bought him. He can pick his feet up, does fine on the trails going over trees and roots and everything though we don’t do that at speed. His big fall was recorded on the security cameras and it looked like he just didn’t pick his front end up. Any thoughts?

[@jecballou]

Yes, it sounds like the issue is not due to coordination. I'm guessing it might be a lack of strength in his sling of chest muscles which are responsible for lifting the weight of his front end off the ground when in motion. You can find all kinds of exercises to address this in my 55 Corrective Exercises for Horses book. www.jecballou.com/store

[@lindypony]

Hi Jec, My 20 yr old schoolie has started tripping much more recently, even down to his knees. I have been working this exercise, backing over poles and it has helped. I have your books. Can you think of other exercises that would help? If he continues to trip and fall, I won;t feel safe riding him any longer, let alone giving lessons on him.

[@jecballou]

you are doing good exercises! The key is to be really consistent, even if the tripping abates temporarily.

[@lindypony]

@@jecballou thanks. So are you saying any "brain teasers" with obstacles will be useful? He seems not capable of backing over anything raised other than a landscape timber rail. (drags both toes and sometimes pulls the rail with him.) I have been playing with the step up into our horse trailer..

[@jecballou]

@@lindypony yes, "brain teasers" 😂

[@jillymet]

I love your content. How would you address the stiffness in the back that you mentioned? I am interested in this from a ground work perspective as well as ridden. TIA .

[@jecballou]

I am especially fond of the Masterson Method for bodywork as well as on-going massage or fascia rolling by the owner. And then in terms of mobility drills, I always recommend backing up (at least 60 steps daily), trot to canter transitions, turns on forehand (when the footing is suitable and there are no issues in the hoof that preclude this rotation).

[@LosVRC]

My horse stumbles often on flat grounds . Recently purchased a 12yrs old horse and the saddle that was on him (figured it was fitted for him)....after purchasing new saddle pad I noticed white spots on both sides of withers....have you ever known if an I'll fitted saddle cause lameness in front legs?

[@jecballou]

A poorly fitted saddle can definitely contribute to a horse shifting his weight forward and therefore moving heavily on the forehand (which can predispose horse to tripping). Additionally, muscles around the withers and mid-back can become de-activated from pressure, and this will also lead to faulty movement patterns. I'm glad you're addressing this!

[@carlahawks5835]

Hi Jec, so an injury to the iliopsoas muscle (vet diagnosis) may be a contributing factor to being very on the forehand? Would some exercises in lifting the neck be helpful or do you start by addressing the HQ issue with some targeted exercises or both? I have your books so maybe you could refer to those pages for ideas to help the horse. Thank you!!! CH

[@jecballou]

This could definitely be a contributing factor, though psoas strains can often prevent the horse from wanting to round up. Is this the case? Very generally speaking, I would recommend slow backing up (10 steps at a time, adding a few more, each day), walking ground poles (there are several patterns in my 55 Corrective Exercises book including the Labyrinth, Figure 8 Bars, etc.), Withers Rocking.

[@carlahawks5835]

​@@jecballou yes Jec he is very on fore carries head below wither snd has a lot of tension in neck, shoulders, poll wnd jaw. This is a horse I trim so feet balanced in last 6 mos and that has helped. Carla

[@lauramayo9426]

Thank you for the video. I just bought the horse and he is tripping on his hind feet. Before purchase I rode him in deep sand arena and did not notice it to be such an issue (just one little stumble). At home I do not have sand arena and ride him on hard ground. And like you mentioned in video, the problem came up on the hard ground especially walking downhill (he trips on his hinds even when turned out in the paddock when walking downhill). Vet did not find anything wrong in lameness exam. He does jam his toes and then trips. I bought your book to see if I could help him strengthen his back, hind legs and make him lift his legs. Just walking over the poles is making him more coordinated. However, he is still tripping. It has been 4 weeks. How long does it take to see improvements in tripping?

[@jecballou]

It will take at least 6 weeks of consistent exercise (5 day per week) to see changes, on average.

[@Maybelle_3]

My early 20s or late teen Tennessee walking horse when I get up and around pin he trips a lot we think it’s because he Doesn’t put his leg far out enough

[@fionarathbone5061]

My 10 year old regularly stumbles. He is very laid back. I was lunging him today and he actually stumbled and fell to his knees. Its mainly at trot, usually OK at canter and when I jump although he did stumble today after landing. I've had the farrier check his feet. He said he's a typical flat footed thoroughbred. Is he curable and is he safe. Thanks

[@jecballou]

my suggestion would be to schedule a session with a reputable bodyworker (I'm guessing there might be a deeply embedded restriction that is contributing to this tripping, I do not think his feet are the problem). Based on what you discover in this session, we can then recommend specific exercises to help.

[@jenbelitz6442]

my 17 yr old gelding has gone from one stumble per year to falling to knees 3 times per year. he is camped under in front and back and hates when I mount from the ground so I suspect wither pain. Exrays last year ruled out kissing spine but may be a little arthritis. He has a custom dressage saddle. Body worker says lateral front leg work to improve thorasic sling and I have been doing ground work exercises from your book for high headed inverted postures. We used him on 2 pack trips last year, no stumbling, can step high over logs. Anxiety has been an issue for him, he is least anxious with the pack saddle being led by his buddy. Also has a tendency to toss his head (more of a bobble up and down) just after he released tension and often when impatient-even at liberty. Do you have suggestions or do you do video consult?

[@jecballou]

Yes! I would be happy to help: www.jecballou.com/store/p/private-online-coaching

[@prairiefireequine4621]

​Great Ill get some video and go through your site. Thank you! ​@@jecballou

[@tanjahudson4572]

My horse has severe kissing spine. He was not even rideable. I took the time to rehab him and build up his core on the ground first and then under saddle. He’s like a new horse. I ride him dressage 4-5 times a week. He always tripped here and there, but now it is quite often with each ride and while lunging. In your experience could the kissing spine create this issue? We’ve worked so hard to get where we are at. I do have the vet coming out also to evaluate.

[@jecballou]

Yes, KS can absolutely contribute to this condition. However, keep up your good work! Kissing Spine condition can be improved A LOT and it sounds like you are on the right path.

[@polianathes]

@@jecballou how can it be improved?

[@jecballou]

@@polianathes it depends which vertebrae are involved and to which degree they are crowding. Very generally, we use specific exercises to re-instate good movement through the back once pain signals have been resolved. Then, gymnastic conditioning happens with the horse in a "neutral" body frame, nothing restricted.

[@polianathes]

what groundwork did you do?

[@polianathes]

@@jecballou thank you, Our 4 years old horse just received the results from the radiologist. IMPRESSIONS: Mild spinous process impingement at ~T12-13 and ~T17-18. There is more overriding at T17-18, but minimal associated remodeling. Right Front - flat solar angle of the distal phalanx. What exercises do you recommend? I bought your books.

[@channongard4396]

Super helpful. Thank you Jec!

[@jecballou]

So glad to hear!

[@christinelaporte7880]

Thank you- crucial topic for me, My 17 year old horse has begun tripping/"collapsing" occasionally in the hind end, not in front legs. Any advice?

[@jecballou]

This sounds like possibly a stifle stability situation. Do you take dressage lessons occasionally? This will help.

[@christinelaporte7880]

yes regularly. I will have vet check stifles. Thank you@@jecballou

[@mercyrobinow5845]

Hi, I purchased a 4 year old horse. After riding him for a few weeks, he keeps stumbling on his front leg. Is there something wrong with his front legs? Do i need to get him checked?

[@jecballou]

Hi, it's worth having him checked out. While it's unlikely that something is "wrong" with his front legs, getting him checked out will help you figure out what area needs addressing. A number of things could create the problem you're experiencing including-- due to his age-- a growth spurt, or something related to him maturing.

[@blackcatpaintsandtwists]

What about tripping only at a canter?

[@libbyluther]

Our horse is tripping on the hind end and landing on his fetlocks. Why would that be?

[@jecballou]

I am sorry to hear this. It is hard to assess a horse without being able to see it in person and view the gait anomalies...I hope you can find knowledgeable help near you?

[@libbyluther]

@@jecballou - we have three different vets trying to figure it out. Treated him for glandular ulcers all summer. Those have healed but the falling in behind has continued. Injected his SI and hocks. Vet wants to inject his neck at his next appt. Has mild arthritis there. Don’t know if there’s any connection with the neck or not. Retirement was mentioned as a possibility but he’s a very athletic 7 yr old TB who was never raced. It’s been heartbreaking.

[@KimDawkins-dc2su]

Person talking in background annoying and distracting

[@ThornyRoseV]

Age and fat