could this be my horses stifles?

[Grizzleycheddar]

We have a 3 yr old standardbred trotter and when he races he trots the turns fine but has trouble trotting the straight aways. The Vet can't figure it out. Was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. Thank you.:confused

[JB]

Define "trouble trotting"?

[Grizzleycheddar]

He hikes as if he were galloping behind but he still stays trotting.

[vbunny]

I'm assuming you mean he's fine going left? What does he do going right?

[JB]

If the OP is in the States, they race counterclockwise, so going left, just like TB racing.

OP - does the horse ever breeze going to the right? If so, what does he do?

what do you mean, exactly, by "he hikes"?

[copperdolly]

Explain more of what you are noticing please. Does he ever trip or stumble? Does he travel wide behind? Does he have any abnormal shoe wear behind? Is his hind end over on one shaft or the other? Come out of the stall fine? Ever up on a toe? Has the farrier commented if he was more difficult to shoe one or the other hind limbs? Does he do it while jogging and training or just one or the other?

More info please!!

[Big_Tag]

We have standardbred racehorses as well, and only trotters too!

I would guess:

Interference. Either he is physically hitting now or is adjusting his gait to avoid doing so.
*Maybe* EPM. We had a trotter who hiked terribly who ended up being diagnosed with EPM. However, he tended to do it all the time, not just on the straightaways BUT if I recall it was worse on straightaways.

Hard to tell without seeing him though :)

[welshrider]

Just had a horse at the barn where I board and train that started "hiking" up a hind leg... diagnosed neurological problem somehow connected to a vertabrae in the neck area.

[Grizzleycheddar]

Thanks for all your input. We finally figured him out. We injected his sacrum and blocked his tail. Also he was interfering behind. He hits his right hind foot while going. Now he where scalpers to protect his feet. He raced last fri and finished 2nd. He took 2 sec off of his mark. Also we are treating him for locking stifles(ECP). He races this Fri again. If interested you can watch him at www.Saratogagamingandraceway.com he has the 3rd race 7 hole his name is Moms Super Boy. Thank you

[JB]

We injected his sacrum
May I ask with what? How did you determine it needed to be injected?

and blocked his tail.
What does this mean?

Thanks for the update - I hope you'll be back :)

[Dune]

[quote=Grizzleycheddar;4331167] we are treating him for locking stifles(ECP)..[/quote


Curious as to what you are using for his locking stifles....also have the same questions as JB. ;)