This is a tough one, because most of us just don't SEE as many
gaited horses. That said, if one is going to vet endurance rides, it pays
to expose one's self to how different kinds of horses move, so that one CAN
determine if a horse is moving right or not. That said, a sound and
straightforward trotting horse is sufficiently familiar for most vets that good
ride vets can do what Susan mentioned--see all they need to see in a few
strides, if all is well--whereas it may take the whole down-and-back to get
one's mind "in synch" with a gaited horse (as it does the less trained observer
with the trotting horse) to determine if the symmetry is there. I AM
bothered when vets don't make an effort to understand gaited horses--but am not
bothered when it takes them a bit longer to mentally process a gaited horse for
an anomaly, since we just don't see that many of
them.
Heidi
As a rider on one of those gaited critters, I can sympathize with the
vets. However, I have actually had my most "fear over nothing" ride caused
by something entirely different...my gaited horse has Appaloosa spots.
They aren't even over his hips (few Appaloosa coat patterns are based on
symmetry <grin!>). A vet who didn't have a great deal of experience
with gaited horses kept saying "he's just not quite even in the back, but not
really lame." 2 trot outs, 2 loops. Mind you, I was in my first year
of endurance, and easily worried. I rode the most conservative ride I have
ever ridden (and I am a consummate turtle)...all of the time, after the first
hold, searching for SOMETHING. And yet, my horse felt absolutely GREAT, to
me...I even sought out parts of the trail steep enough to let me cue him into a
trot so that I could try to find what was wrong (gait can even make it difficult
for me to judge soundness from the saddle)...still, nothing....
Final trot out, a vet card full of all A's except for gait, and me with my
heart in my mouth (something wasn't right with my baby, and I couldn't even get
a GLIMMER of what it was! ACK!). Another vet walked over to help
watch and figure out what was wrong, and they had a discussion...sending me to
trot out again...(EEEK!)...when he leaned over and whispered in the other vet's
ear. "One more time, please!"
"Yep, Doc, that's it, that's what it is..."
"I waited for the verdict, to see what horrible disorder was looming...and
looked into the laughing eyes of a vet who said-"His spots aren't even.
They make his hips look unlevel. He's fine..."
Darndest thing, sometimes. Is there anything more nerve wracking than
to worry when there doesn't seem to be an issue? Of course, Romeo was
certainly no worse the wear for having a VERY cautiou ride that
day...
