[Morganhorse321]

OK...I was riding my gelding on Saturday, we had just schooled dressage for about 30 minutes when I decided to take him over a few cross rails. He acted the same way he usually does...puts ears up and is eager going to the jump. The first time, he just completely knocked the cross rail down. and it was tiny...so, I thought maybe he was just not paying attention, so I woke him up and took him to the jump again. This time he went over it and landed perfectly when all of the sudden he fell straight to his knees!! I thought maybe he was just having an off day. But tonight, as he was getting his feet done, he fell on his knees again. He's not a clumsy horse at all and is actually quite careful. In my year of having him, he's only tripped once or twice while riding him, and NEVER going over a jump. Does anybody have any suggestions as to what may be wrong with my horse?? Should I just go ahead and get a vet out to see him??

[ArabGirl]

Are his knees ok? If they feel hot or swollen get the vet out.
Maybe you could call your vet and ask for over the phone advice?

[sirius-dressage]

Get him checked out by your vet immediately. Tripping and falling down is not something I would take lightly...horses are naturally programmed NOT to fall down (the prey instinct is to remain on their feet at all costs because going down means you're dead). So any new signs of tripping or falling are cause for concern medically.

Example, I kind of brushed off the fact that my gelding was tripping more than usual, had his feet done, thought nothing of it. Then he went face first into the dirt...took him to the vet and he had fractured his splint bone in two places...several weeks back! I had been riding him on this broken bone for close to a month before it really started to hurt enough that it was affecting his gait to the point of making him trip.

The vet should probably do a lameness exam to check the shoulders, knees...etc. And if something comes up they may end up x-raying whatever area is troublesome. But I will just say that falling onto the knees is not normal and you should have a vet out right away to make sure there's nothing going on physically or even neurologically.

[Stars Of Vegas]

i would get the vet, or maybe jsut watch it for a week or so and see if there is any change in him... goodluck and keep us posted
~~~SOV~~~

[Morganhorse321]

Thanks guys...he shows no signs of being lame...no heat or swelling anywhere. I am planning on putting a call into my vet. I am really worried about him...he's not even tripping...he just flat out falls

[horseyfrk145]

well, im sure it isnt realted, but my eventer, Bailey, jumps 4' easy and when i go over xrails for a warmup or to get some energy out at an event, he falls over it too bcuz it so small (and i quote my trainer!) they insult him, so i highly doubt that is the case with your boy, but its my expirence...but i would get the vet out

[Ryle]

Definitely have the vet out and have both lameness and neurological tests done. This is important, because lameness and neurological deficits are often mistaken for one another. If you are dealing with a neurological condition, early diagnosis and treatment gives the best chance of full recovery.

[BettyBootsy]

Thats freaky! I wouldn't be jumping him until ya have the vet check him out. Poor guy!

[avasmom]

Definately have the vet out! Could be a leg problem or like Ryle said, neurological dysfuction. My first thought was something neurological.

[KLavigne]

I'm with Ryle on getting the vet out to do some neuro testing. My TB mare actually did this when I was riding her on the flat last year... We watched her for a week or so and she didn't have any more episodes. About two weeks after the initial fall, she fell out in the paddock. We had the vet out and it was a neurological problem, it looked similar to Wobblers. The vet told us that she would never be safe to ride again. She would be a "danger" in the sense that she could fall on me (or anyone) while in her stall with her or she could fall and could be a danger to herself and our other geldings. There was basically nothing that the vet could do to help her and the episodes would only get worse with time. She was 20, almost 21 at the time, so we decided that it would be best for her to be put down - we didn't want to see her hurting herself anymore by falling (she could've easily become caught in the fence, in her stall, or anywhere when no one was home).

Again, I'd get the vet out to do some tests. Hope he's okay <3