ACCIDENT-PRONE OR SOMETHING WORSE?
Q:
My gelding is constantly hurting himself. He always seems to find a way to get injured. For instance, he cuts himself on random objects. I scan his environment constantly for potential problems, but it doesn’t help. The last thing he cut himself on was his salt-block holder. It’s not just cuts: He put his head through a board fence once to reach some grass and got spooked. He ended up pulling skin off his poll and had a sore neck for weeks. Once, in the trailer, he stepped on his own coronary band, which was a bloody mess. He cracked a tooth recently, maybe he was kicked or perhaps he was chewing rocks. There’s no way to know with him. My other horses hardly ever have these problems.
Is there any explanation for why my guy might be so determined to destroy himself? Any tips for keeping him safe besides locking him up in a padded stall? Jeff DeMarco
Bedford, Pennsylvania
A:
The first thing I would suggest would be a good physical workup, including a focused neurologic exam by your veterinarian. If your horse is having difficulties with balance or is sore, this can alter his gait and may be a reason he is always running into objects in his environment. Your veterinarian can put him through a variety of tests to observe how he moves in hand and with a variety of challenges. This can rule out spine and nerve issues that could cause stumbling or awkward movements. Your horse may not be aware of where his limbs and body are in space, which could be a reason why he is prone to these injuries.
Lameness issues may also cause him to trip, fall or step on his own feet if his range of motion is altered by