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Do you warm him up before you ride? That may be an answer to the stiff legs if you don't...

If you've read any of this topic you would know that I just walk into these stables, straight to the arena as somebody brings me the horse I'm gonna ride and have my lesson and hand the horse over to a helper straight after. I'm not in charge of his care.

To me it kinda sounds like the begining of atherirtis or he just needs to be warmed up a little more at the walk and trot. I ride throughbred's for show jumping and my horse has the same proublems because he has begoing arhteritis in his ankles (He's an ex racer, so thats how it started.) it not a good idea though to ride a lame horse as i am sure you have been told earlier because this can lead to peramnit damage in the horse bone structure or hooves depending on where the lamness is. My trianer had me do the fallowing warm up when we have our lessons:

1. Walk on a long rain, have your hands at the buckles of the reins (English) alows hoerse to streach out but keep the horse moving at a forward walk. 5 min.
2. Trot on the long rein, with 20 meter circles. 2 1/2 min.
3. Forward canter for another 2 1/2 min.

I would talk to your instructer about you concerns though. I undertand that you have no control over who you ride thougj witch makes it hard.

I hope this was helpfull. all of my info came from my riding instruter, so thats it!

Oh, someone earlier in this post said that horses should be riden untill age 30. I hate to say it but most horses live from 25-30 years and if they make it to 30 they should not be ridden at all. Arabians are exception though condiering they live 25-35 years and are ridalbe untill their finall years. I also recall reading somone saying that he need exersise. If he is as old as you say more excersise is NOT a good idea. Especaly in a round pen becasue the contant circles are hard on horses joints and that might agravet the issue.

Ok, thats it. Hope that helped.

Wow. Thanks so much. I'll talk to my instructors

No problem at all. I would be happy to answer any other qestions you might have.

No problem at all. I would be happy to answer any other qestions you might have.

I just came back from riding a few hours ago. I rode Bailey for the second time ever. He still has that stiff feeling... But it's not even up to me on choosing how to ride, I have to do what the instructor says.....

I know that feeling, well having to listine to instucters. At my old barn before we bought Phoenix (my horse) they always stuck me on the phcos. I was the rider they liked to test all the time. Even on my first day ofr jumping (about 3 yeats ago) the pony the put me on dumped me after the second jump! 0-0

Well, I have been riding for 5 years and from what you tell me it sounds like Bailey just may be lame. He is old after all...give him a rest for a little bit see what happens. Rub his legs with a warm, NOT hot, wet cloth. It should help a little bit. I hope it works out.

You don't understand. I don't groom him either.

They are sying that you sould rub the legs with warm water, but that would not help because you only get handed a horse right?

That's right. I don't even put him in his stall.

Ah! Sorry then, I can't help you. If the horse is not yours then the owners should handle it. But, keep an eye on his legs and ask questions because if they don't do anything about it this can be catagorized as neglecting their animal. They could go to court for this...I have seen this on animal planet(Tv chanel). They would have to pay a fine, get the horse taken from them or even both. Oh and also where what is the name of the stable you go to? I think I have been there myself and I know a horse with the name Bailey and he is also VERY old I think he is in his thirtys...

It's a place in Norfolk and it's called Blackborough End.

Sorry it isn't were I took english...But like I said keep an eye out for his legs...