YOUR HORSE IS NOT SOUND
Your Horse is Not Sound
This is for all the horse owners I have freaked out (or will freak out in the future) by telling them that I see signs your horse is not sound.
I want you to know that it does not mean your horse is completely broken. It just means that I believe there is something getting in the way of your horse feeling comfortable doing what you want it to do.
The horse in this photograph had arthritis in his hocks. It was in both hocks, which made it trickier to observe than if it was just on one side. Instead, he was anxious, refused to go forward, and threatened to buck.
Back then, I wasn't as good at identifying specific issues, but I could tell there was something wrong with him as he did not respond as expected to training. This is because he was not inspired to move with someone sitting on his back because his hocks were sore.
So, I sent him to the vets, and they were able to identify, diagnose, and make him feel comfortable.
He instantly responded to training and, to this day, is one of the easiest horses I have turned around. He made me look good, but really, it was the owner investing in a good vet and following through on the recommended treatment.
This story highlights what I know about soundness issues. Problems are often not obvious, but their discovery and management change everything for the better.
So, when I tell you that I believe the horse is moving or displaying evidence that something is bothering it, I am not writing your horse off.
I may be adjusting your immediate expectations and diverting you down a path the horse gods need you to travel. I dislike the distress that comes with it and concern about money and how sometimes problems can remain a mystery. But I believe horses when they show me classic signs, and I see it as my job to tell you.
Sometimes problems are simple with easy adjustments, and sometimes they are complex and expensive.
However, the best outcomes come from early diagnosis because, simple or complex, it always ends up significant for the horse.
