Sometimes poorly fitting saddles or poor riding can cause stumbling. Horses that travel with their heads up and backs hollowed may be more likely to stumble. Check saddle fit and consider taking a few lessons to see if you can correct any bad habits you might have formed. Conformation dictates how your horse uses its body and legs. Some conformational defects may predispose a horse to stumbling.
Be sure your horse’s hooves are trimmed regularly and that they are trimmed properly. If the hooves are grown out too far or the toes are too long, your horse may be tripping over his own toes. Have your blacksmith assess the angles he his trimming the hooves and the type and weight of shoes if your horse is shod.
More serious physical problems can include joint, muscle and nerve damage such as:
- Arthritis – inflammation inside a joint causing pain and stiffness.
Navicular Syndrome – degeneration or damage to a small bone inside the hoof.
Sweeney – nerve damage that causes the shoulder muscles to atrophy. Sweeney is most commonly seen in driving horses and is caused by the pressure of the harness on the shoulder.
Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis– nerve damage in the spinal column due to protozoa.
Eyesight – cataracts, eye infections and other eye/vision problems.
Ring bone or side bones – boney growths on and below the pastern area.
