Why Does my Tennessee Walking Horse Keep Falling Over?

Q:

Last year once and now this August, my 7 yr. old Tennessee Walking Horse was doing her running walk on fairly smooth roads, and she fell hard on her knees and then flopped over on her left side. The first time my collar bone broke. Last time I got hurt, but nothing broke. The first time I thought perhaps she tried to stop suddenly as another horse was next to her and its riders turned the horses head back, I thought she might have got her legs tangled. This last time the dogs were trying to follow me (I was riding alone) and I was trying to hurry as I didn't want them to follow. Now I am wondering why this is happening. The vet seemed to thing she is just a young horse and isn't keeping track of where her feet are. I would like to keep her, but now I am wondering, Is this going to happen again? I don't want to get hurt again. Have you ever heard of this, if not can you find out for me? Perhaps she could get some training in foot work, I have had her on difficult rocky mt.trails and no problem.
Other then her shying at sudden objects, this is the only problem I have with her.

Can you help me?

A:

I have had Walkers for over 20 years and I, too, had one that went down several times. I started this horse as a 3-year-old and had him for several years before selling him. He did get better and the folks who bought him still have him. He is 22 and going strong. Unfortunately, it is not an uncommon problem with Walkers, particularly the larger, rangy types.

I also found he was a gem in the mountains and in difficult terrain, where he was really tuned into his feet. However, it was on the flat or in arenas that he was most apt to stumble. My husband was a shoer, and by changing the length of toe and speeding up the front or back (depending), we were able to help him get out of his own way.

Over-reaching can be a problem with some. Exercising him over logs or cavaletti and working with the back-up did help him learn to balance and make him more aware of his feet.

I also found that if I kept him awake and with me he did better than when I just let him have his head down at a lazy walk. He did improve as he aged and learned to carry himself well. I have another client who had the same difficulty with her Walker tripping, but in his case it did not matter what ground he was on. It turned out he has a pinched nerve in his neck and she had to retire him. She took him to Pilchuck Vet Hospital in Snohomish, WA, where it was diagnosed.

The last two things I might mention are to have a chiropractor take a look at her. There may be a few simple adjustments that might make a world of difference. It has been my experience that body work can do amazing things: energy work, chiropractic and nutrition. Second, I suggest you check your saddle and be sure it is not pinching her shoulders. If so, move it back a little or check saddle fit.

I hope this will be of help.

-Barb Apple

Remember “Horse Play” is FUN!

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