Thunder Loping funny?!

[PASOLUVR]

Thunder started doing a funny hop off his front end and will lead change that feels like skipping while loping on the straight away. Since he is 1/2 Paso I am wondering if he is trying to gait (lope lateral) and getting confused. It is very uncomfortable, the hopping front end. He is also staying way to collected and I tried long troting him but it didn't help. Any ideas or help appreciated. Thanks Jenny (PASOLUVR)

[Got Brio?]

sounds like he's doing a flying lead change. :-?

[Pasogirlz]

I'm going to move this to the training forum. Maybe someof the trainers can help.

[CarolU]

I assume he used to canter normally?

I'm guessing you have a pain issue. Check that his feet are at the same angles and length, that his saddle hasn't changed, he may be being pinched in the shoulders. He may have a rock or stone bruise on one foot. He may have a torn or pulled ligament or splint.

To diagnose, get off and lunge him on a long line and see if he can canter both directions without you or the saddle on. Then saddle him and repeat. Then get on and see if you are the problem.

Feel his legs up and down for swelling, hot or tender spots. Walk him over smooth soft dirt. Is he dragging one foot, or failing to pick one up all the way?

If he has never cantered before, it could well be that he's not sure what to do with his feet and breaking into a largo. Rule out pain first and then work on it from the ground first.

BTW - if your exam and experiement turn up a problem you need to let him heal before cantering again, probably before gaiting any more..but your vet will know more.

[PASOLUVR]

I have checked all eqipment and had the vet and farrier check him with not problems found. He does lope normal and laterally sometimes. What is Largo??

[Terry Wallace]

Sounds like the typical Paso Fino "bunny hop" lope... ;-)

[PattiB]

It's possible he is crossfiring. That is where he has the correct lead in front(inside lead) and the incorrect lead (outside lead) on the back. It gets real bouncy when they do this. If you keep them in a circle to the inside lead they will sometimes change the back to the correct lead. If not start over in a circle to that direction, once they get the leads go straight.

[PASOLUVR]

He use to do his lead changes fine with no problem. I think you might be right PattiB. Thanks for the info. Thanks to all that replied. I am still going to have the equine chiropractor work on him. :smile:

[CarolU]

You didn't say if he cantered fine without a rider. I would check that.

I have seen several horses that wouldn't take one lead at all or crossfire, sometimes it is the horse, but most of the time it is the rider not siting right, that is an easy fix, the horse will pick up and maintain the lead fine once the rider corrects their seat.

But if the horse is having the same problem without a rider, then you need to evaluate further to diagnose the problem and fix it. Often times you will need to work up to the lead in that direction with a lot of conditioning in lesser gaits in that direction, altrenating bigger and smaller circles so the horse gets more bend, flexion, and muscle building.