Negative Plantar Angle

 

Finally, some answers.  Cruise has NPA Negative Plantar Angle in his hind feet.  See a pretty comprehensive explanation HERE.  The gist is that the bones in his foot are not aligned correctly and that is causing stress everywhere.  And of course one of the symptoms is lack of forward/impulsion.  And travelling on the forehand.

We started with shoeing to support changing the angle of his coffin bone.  Then 3 weeks later I had the vet out to do a comprehensive lameness evaluation and X-rays. The good news is that he showed no lameness in the flexions and seems solid other than being tender over his naviculars behind.  This goes along with him being NPA for who knows how long and extra strain on the whole hind end apparatus.  The shoer did say it would take a couple of shoeing cycles get his coffin bone angles where he would like them.

So, I have an answer and it wasn't my training program or lack of riding skill.  My trainer didn't find this.  Neither did the clinician.  Not my previous trainer or my previous farrier who is a vet technician.  I still feel like I should have known something was wrong sooner, but I'm so glad I listened to my instincts after he got pretty angry after being really being pushed to go forward at the last clinic.  He's been trying so hard to be good while looking sound and being in pain.  It breaks my heart a little.

So, the plan is time off, with some light rehab work mixed in, while we get his angles adjusted.  No guarantees that he won't have other issues in his hind naviculars/coffin bones/pastern bones but it is encouraging that all his other hind joints checked out sound.  We have baseline x-rays and a lameness evaluation and if he isn't getting better after 3-4 shoeing cycles we will reevaluate and go from there.

So glad I finally have some answers, and but so sorry it took so long.  Lots of trick training, flexions in hand, and cookies for the Cruiser this winter I think.