My horse has recently (for about the past 6-8 weeks) been kicking out when I ask her to canter. She only kicks out with her right hind leg. Usually, she only does it when I ask her to canter (for both leads), but she’ll sometimes kick out when I ask her for shoulder-in as well. It started after she had a couple of weeks off due to snow and unsafe riding conditions. When I started riding her again she kicked out and became balky whenever I asked her to canter. She is normally a very willing horse, but is also a diva and has a very low pain tolerance. I wasn’t too concerned, and just thought that her ulcers might be flaring up again (she has a past history of gastric ulcers). I put her on omeprazole and didn’t notice any difference (normally putting her on it clears up any symptoms in a couple of days). I decided to try treating for hind gut ulcers and put her on sucralfate and KER equishure, she’s been on it for 4 weeks, and while I think she is a bit better (no longer kicking out when I ask for shoulder-in) she is certainly not better or back to normal.
I’m wondering if this is still a pain issue, or not? I’m wondering if her current kicking out is now a “learned” behavior that she does to try and get out of work? When she first started kicking out I didn’t push her or get after her because I figured she was in pain. She is very smart, so she might have figured out that kicking got her out of work. She is perfectly happy to canter when I lunge her, and acts her normal self on the ground. It’s just when I ask for the canter she’ll pin her ears back, swing her haunches out, and kick out with her right hind. Sometimes when she anticipates that I’m going to ask her to canter (collected walk) she’ll start to get balky; pinning her ears, throwing her head a bit, champing on the bit, fishtailing, and of course kicking out with her right hind.
I’m really conflicted on what to do now. Normally, she is very willing and tries her heart out to please (typical TB). Since she is perfectly happy to canter on the lunge (wearing tack or not) I’m beginning to think that it is now a behavior issue, and that I should just get a crop and work her through it. But the other half of me is concerned with doing that, because she is normally so willing to work. Also, when I just apply more leg when she start to get balky, that seems to make the problem worse.
I highly doubt it is a saddle issue, as this saddle was custom fitted for her just few months ago. I also don’t think it is a joint/ muscle issue. I had the vet out a few of months ago for an unrelated issue (back soreness due to an ill fitting saddle, hence the reason why I got a new one). The vet flexed her (very mild lameness on her right hind) and took x-rays of her pasterns, hocks, and stifles. She has very, very minimal arthritic changes and the vet doesn’t think it would cause any problems since it is so mild (but then again, she is a wimp when it comes to pain…). I have a chiropractor come out regularly for her, and that hasn’t made any difference either.
She is older (19) and has been in hard work her entire life as a high level jumper when she was younger, and a dressage horse (3rd-4th level) for the past couple of years. My coach thinks that she is just a bit ring sour.
So I guess my question is, does this sound like a pain or behavior issue? Should I go ahead and just get after her when she kicks out, or should I get my vet out to do another checkup (my poor wallet!)? I have been wondering if her SI could be bothering her, as she does have a history of back soreness (she has a long and weak back).
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
