Why Does My Horse Stumble?

Possible Causes of Stumbling and Tripping

Does your horse stumble while you ride or drive it? All horses stumble occasionally, just as we trip over our own toes sometimes for no reason at all. But sometimes, stumbling is a sign of a physical problem.

Why Do Horses Stumble?

Horses can stumble or habitually trip for a number of different reasons. The most common reason is similar to why we take a misstep when the ground is rough, slippery, or uneven. Some horses are more 'trail-wise' than others and know how to keep their balance over rough terrain. Others have to learn this. There are several other factors that can cause a horse to stumble, some more serious than others.

Fitness

If your horse is disinterested in his work or tired, he may stumble. Muscle fatigue can cause stumbling and foot-dragging. This is more common in unfit horses or young horses. Young horses, unused to carrying a rider may be unbalanced and stumble. This should stop once the horse understands how to balance the load he is carrying. 

Saddle Fit

Sometimes poorly fitting saddles can cause back pain that leads to stumbling. Poor saddle fit is responsible for many types of problems, both physical and behavioral.

Training

Horses that travel with their heads up and backs hollowed may be more likely to stumble. If your horse carries his head too high, he may not be able to balance or even see where to place his feet. Consider taking a few lessons to see if you can correct any bad habits you might have formed and learn to help your horse carry a rider comfortably. A martingale may be added to a horses tack for safety purposes to limit the extent to which a horse can raise its head and provide the rider with more control.

Conformation

Conformation dictates how your horse uses its body and legs. Some conformational defects may predispose a horse to stumbling. Long pasterns, bench knees, and other leg problems can cause a horse to be a habitual stumbler. 

Hoof Care

If the hooves are grown out too far or the toes are too long, your horse may be tripping over his own toes. Have your blacksmith assess the angles he is trimming the hooves and the type and weight of shoes if your horse is shod. 

Serious Causes

More serious physical problems can include joint, muscle, and nerve damage such as:

Arthritis: inflammation inside a joint causing pain and stiffness.

Navicular Syndrome: degeneration or damage to a small bone inside the hoof. Front feet are most often affected, and the lameness is more obvious.

Sweeney: nerve damage that causes the shoulder muscles to atrophy. Sweeney is most commonly seen in driving horses and can be caused by the pressure of the harness on the shoulder. This can interfere with the horse's ability to move its leg forward.

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis: nerve damage in the spinal column due to protozoa. This is a serious disease some horses never recover from, and it can make them unsuitable to ride.

Eyesight: cataracts, eye infections, and other eye/vision problems.

Ringbone or side bones: bony growths on and below the pastern area. These can make a horse lame, or slightly 'off'.