Re: RC: stumbling question (long)

[DESERTRYDR1@aol.com]

First thing that springs to mind is that he is bored or tired, and quits 
paying attention to where he puts his feet.  If he is pretty soft he could 
improve as he gets fitter.  Some horses just don't have a strong work ethic, 
even some Arabians.  It may be that his laziness was part of the bad habits 
he developed.  Maybe his former owner put him away when he started stumbling 
or being lazy, because she didn't have the patience or the strength to make 
him work through it.  Since he only does it part of the time, that suggests 
an attitude problem rather than a physical problem to me.  Check his legs for 
heat/swelling after every ride to make sure your not pushing him beyond his 
current physical conditioning.  Check saddle and other tack for fit.  Make 
sure you are not too tired to ride effectively.  If he's sore, or if your 
sagging or leaning to one side, that would make him quit working--who could 
blame him?  If there are no signs of soreness, then when he starts stumbling 
give his brain and body something to do.  Make him leg yield or stop and back 
up or ask for a reverse bend, or anything to make him think and work for a 
bit.  When he's going along good, don't make him work as hard.  Just a few 
steps of harder work are plenty at first.  Show him that you decide when he 
gets to quit, but be reasonable.  If he's not in good condition, and gets a 
little sore every time you work him, he'll come to hate it.  When he's doing 
really good, maybe quit a little earlier than you planned to let him know 
that every time he goes out its not going to be until he's too tired or sore. 
 Don't give up on him, just slow down a little in your expectations.  Also 
doesn't hurt to have him checked by a vet--sort of a mostly-well horse 
checkup.  The vet may see something that you and your farrier have missed.  
good luck,  jeri