Cross posting for more visibility. Has anyone had this happen to them and their horse? My horse has had a hard stumble - and I mean hard - after a jump three times now about every six months. No other symptoms, although he will be seeing a neurologist in about a week and a half. The wait is hard for me and I am looking for any insight/similar experiences. Thank you!
My initial thought with the relative infrequency is just a stumble. If I think more into it my head goes to shoulder or neck issue *edit to add: eye issue, however I would expect it to be more consistent- a work up by the vet is never wrong to pursue. Has it ever happened free jumping?
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Is it always at home or has it happened in different locations? How is your footing?
We haven’t shown due to COVID and this started happening shortly after. It has happened both indoors and outdoors in different footing. I have not free lunged him over jumps due to the fact it has happened with about six months in between
Any changes in shoeing?
This will sound like a dumb question, but is it possible that your weight just shifted too far forward over the jump? I think it is wise to have him checked out for potential medical issues. But given how infrequently it is happening, I agree with @cadance that it is likely just a stumble.
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No changes in shoeing. I think more detail of the seriousness of the stumbles may help: I’ve had him for three years, the first stumble was in May of 2020. I miraculously stayed on. In November 2020, I broke my knee cap and required surgery to pin it back together. In March 2021, I broke my nose and he stepped on my leg. I’m not the best rider ever but I am a 3’ adult amateur, so my balance is there. I wish I had video but there was no way to even understand what was happening until I was on the ground because the stumbles were so violent - think knees and nose to dirt. I don’t know if we can come back from this even with a diagnosis and treatment, as he shows no other symptoms of lameness or behavioral issues.
I know of a mare that was recently diagnosed with chronic degeneration of one of the structures (ligament maybe?) in the lower front legs that was causing her to stumble. I don’t have details or know how it was diagnosed, but as it was chronic, they retired her.
ETA - what diagnostics have you had done to date? Full lameness workup with this issue specifically in mind? X-rays of the fronts and neck? Bloodwork? What do her front feet look like?
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Had local vet out numerous time for full lameness exam, have had hocks and stifles injected within past 8 or so months (this is normal maintenance for him). Xrays in feet showed mild navicular changes, not enough to warrant wedges but have added bar shoes and rim pads. Had issues in the summer with swapping onto a certain lead but resolved itself (this is when I had vet out to inject stifles and hocks). He has consistently been on Adequan for two years.
After third stumble, I took him to a clinic and she couldn’t find any lameness, although he was high as a kite. However, she felt he may have a mild neurologic issue based on physical in-hand exam (primary minorly weak against tail pull and when she crossed his hind feet, he didn’t immediately put them back into a natural position). This is why we are going the route of seeing the neurologist, but this is his only symptom and its so infrequent, that I don’t know what to make of it.
My biggest fear is that no matter what the issue and treatment may be, his very first symptom is stumbling hard after fences and it could come back – and I wouldn’t know until he tripped again and risk my safety.
ETA: He has been going better than he ever has in his life - moving great, jumping amazing, happy as a clam. This is so mind boggling.
I think this is a reasonable fear after two accidents like you describe, and if there is no diagnosable (and treatable) explanation.
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