We got the go ahead to get back to work after his X-rays which was 5 or 6 weeks after the flare up. I have been taking things very slowly though and while he seems “back to normal”, the tripping has been intermittent now for quite some time. I want to see that through though before we do much more this time around. I’m waiting to drive him until we have some better insight because I’m scared if he went down with the cart, that could be much more catastrophic.
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FWIW, my lami pony, who did have some rotation, has always tripped exactly like that since he foundered. So I would probably start there.
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We haven’t had any rotation to date, this time or last thankfully, however I’m inclined to think there is a connection between the laminitis and tripping.
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I wonder if there are studies on how propreception in the foot is affected by laminitis. The two I am familiar w have never tripped after a flare. Or during, either.
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I definitely think it’s worth blocking his feet and go up from there if needed.
As far as possible chronic/low grade laminitis I’m not an expert as I’ve fortunately not had to deal with it. His diet sounds reasonable but something for hind gut acidity may help (if vet feels it’s indeed some residual laminitis). He could have had it a while and depending on the footing he’s in, the tripping may come and go.
Agree with the comment regarding him coming down and front end loading which may contribute as well.
You have a confirmed laminitis issue so it’s easiest to rule further issues with the foot in or out, before assuming it’s any other body part at this point. So many issues can cause tripping. I wouldn’t go down the rabbit hole yet. And hopefully you won’t have to.
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Have you seen this thread? Post 140 on is a veterinarian with very good insight.
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Was going to link that thread. Excellent input from
A vet /podiatrist. I think when you hear hoof beats… it’s not zebras. Chonky history of laminitis lovely fellow is foot sore AF.
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If the weather isn’t hot as hades tomorrow, I’ll get some video of him lunging and walking on different surfaces to get a better visual on overall movement. Anything else that would be helpful?
Cant see much of the underside of with hoof the glue ons on at the moment. I’m curious to see how he will be fully barefoot again once those come off, that should be helpful information in all this. They were set pretty good and have been on since June 23. I plan to have the trimmer come out to do him again/help take them off for me to get her thoughts at this stage AND since that’s a lot of growth to take off with just a rasp 
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Yes I have been following this one with interest!
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He looks better but of course it’s hard to tell with a front on shot.
I missed that he’s in glue ons. I love my glue ons, but they have to be set differently than a regular steel/aluminum shoe. Further back, more break over. I’m far from the glue on shoe expert but it might be worth posting a photo of his feet here.
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I appreciate these aren’t great analysis photos, but these were right after they were put on. My trimmer only does barefoot trimming and glue ons; no traditional horse shoes. I’ll snap some tonight, but they will also show 5-6 weeks growth.
Here’s a video from a weekend camp we did last summer. He is barefoot here and does give me a trip at about 20 secs in and it looks like left front again to me. (this was before “backing” finally clicked LOL) https://youtu.be/N8oZoaCrJ6E?si=NqxjsrM12ewRh3b3
And this one was from a lesson in March; barefoot as well. He does a little trip at the canter around 51 seconds in: https://youtu.be/PAq36hNDc3g?si=rfXkvaRmiPI3pTQv
Digging back, we have had tripping barefoot, in Scoot Boots, and in the glue ons. No noticeable difference really with that in mind but the worst instances were in the Scoots. Im open to it being a hoof issue given everything else we know with his laminitis/metabolic history.
With that said, out of any place on his body, his feet have had the most professional eyes (and rads) on them. Between my personal vet, retired vet friend, vet tech friend, my trimmer, and my trainers blacksmith all within the past year, nothing has jumped out to any of them as a possible cause or anything to “correct” with the feet. I like to ask as many professionals as I can since I have been trimming myself and don’t want to be the cause of any problems to him.
The chronic laminitis thought makes a lot of sense. When we were at the barn he did the best with his weight at (IE all the OTHER horses were losing weight…), I don’t recall any instances of tripping, or at least none that were memorable in the 8 months we were there. And though we are actively losing weight, we still have a little ways to go to get back down to where he was there.
IMO, the next time vet sees him, ask for neuro test; its not hard to do. If anything shows up, then as mentioned earlier, consider looking at his neck. I have no personal experience with the laminitis so can’t opine on that, but more than I ever wanted on neuro/neck issues. There were several things going on with my horse, all subtle and inconsistent - until they weren’t. Tripping was on that list and maybe the first thing that really got noticed. Cervical arthritis and spinal compression retired him at 10.
Good luck with him, he’s a cutey!!
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IMO in both videos he appears bilaterally footsore. In the second video it’s much more apparent; he is landing toe first. Landing toe first definitely puts him at a greater risk of tripping. And if you put a boot on, which has a bigger front area, I can see why he may trip more in them.
If you redo the glue ons, I’d ask for more break over on the toe. The front of the hoof should stick over the shoe a tiny bit. It gives it a rocker effect.
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I see what you mean by bilaterally foot sore.
In the working eq (?) clinic, that’s not what I call a trip per se. It’s an “ouch step.” Like if a barefoot horse stepped on a pebble. Which doesn’t mean it’s in the hoof necessarily. But horse has had a sudden twinge. Yes, it can lead to a stumble. But it’s not a trip like you get if a horse is dragging his toes and catches his toe on the ground.
Edited to add, the reason I’m quibbling about the actual trip versus ouch/flinch thing is I think it leads to different diagnoses. With the ouch/flinch, something is causing very intermittent acute pain on the left front leg, and yes it could well be part of bilateral pain making him go short in front. It could be hoof pain or knee pain or shoulder pain.
But he’s not dragging the foot or losing balance or catching the toe. So I feel like it’s maybe not neurological (though that’s something I have no experience with so could be wrong).
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when my horse buckles/trips like that he usually needs his coffin joints injected or his front fetlocks. Pro stride makes a huge difference, and it goes away.
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I agree that difference makes a difference! I don’t have a ton of first hand experience with neuro horses though a friend has been dealing with an EPM diagnosis. Her horse was NQR as long as I’ve known her then things got much worse. Nothing screams neuro to me with Charlie so far, but I also understand that the signs can be very subtle. We have Lyme in the area as well.
I think my next step may be to get a new set of eyes on him and his whole history. The other vet clinic in the area is just as reputable as mine is, and is where my vet tech friend works.
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What is the underlying cause? Something like arthritis? Tendon issues? I’ve had zero horses that have needed injections for anything so my knowledge is quite limited in that space.
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@FjordBCRF, I agree with Scribbler that Charlie looks like he’s taking ouchy steps and not really tripping. That would make perfect sense, because he’s already been diagnosed with laminitis and isn’t completely over it yet. It may be a sign that you need to back off a little on the work, or at least change what you’re doing–maybe just straight line walking and avoid turns or anything that puts excess pressure on the toes.
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I agree. He just moves like he is very uncomfortable in front. Can you share any videos where he wasn’t tripping or had laminitis? Did he move more fluidly then?
It is almost like the leg gives out on him ? He is just so heavy on the front.
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Uploading a dressage test we did in 2022 when we were at The Diet Barn. It takes a while but I’ll share the link when it’s done.
