Lets Talk Flexion

[Cheryl Newbanks <horsetrails@inficad.com>]

Hi All!
Well I have a few questions about flexion.  How is it that my horse looks 
great on the straight a way and perfect on small circles in both directions 
but fails flexion on right front and left hind?  I am wondering if I am 
doing flexion right?  I know to bend the joint for 60 seconds then run the 
horse off, but if I pick up the leg and bend the ankle and knee is that too 
much flexion?  Should I just be flexing one joint not 2?  How many of you 
have apparently sound looking horses that fail flexion?

The right front may be from a cactus barb that I don't think I got 
completely out but the left hind he did look a little off after his last ld 
last weekend and there was a lump on his tendon that went away the next 
day.  No heat ever and the the lump was totally gone the day after the 
ride.  If he's off I can afford to give him max 2 months off since our 
rides are few and far between but I'd hate to give him too much time 
because he is so sharp right now.

So what do you think group?