Stringhalt

rollingrock1

hi, I was wondering what people's thoughts are on how stringhalt can affect a horse in lower level dressage please?
is it really as debilitating/detrimental to that discipline? found my perfect horse who suffers from stringhalt and I would like to pursue Dressage so I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place... thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions!

isaos

Hi, you don't say what kind of stringhalt? Australian Stringhalt often due to the absorbtion of a toxic weed or another form of stringhalt? some can be cured by a surgery, but unfortunately it is most of the time a degenerative disease that will affect the horse more and more everyday. Some say that affected horses shouldn't be ridden. Have you bought the horse already?

I am no specialist, but you should have a proper diagnosis by a really competent vet if you haven't had one already.
Whatever the level, dressage is about clean gaits, and straightness. Stringhalt is certainly not what you want in a Dressage horse, even at beginner level.
You might want to reconsider, and eventually return the horse to the seller if you were not given all onformation regarding the condition of the horse.

you might want to read this article re Stringhalt:
http://www.equinews.com/article/shivers-stringhalt-and-australian-stringhalt

I will be interested to read what others will have to say. Good luck, I hope things are not as bleak as they seem!

Bunnyslippers

There are so many horses up for sale at the mo that would or are great dressage horses that don't have issues, so knowingly buying one with such a debilitating issue would be something I wouldn't suggest at all. Most, as said above, are not rideable and are pasture pets at best, you also need to consider insurance wise this horse would be expensive or uninsurable. So unless this horse is free and you have money to pay for vet bills and are prepared to look after it and more than likely not be able to ride it then I'd keep looking!

I know someone who bought a gorgeous yearling friesian from holland - cost a bomb - 1 year later and he developed string halt quite badly, the vets advised the youngster be put to sleep, that's how bad it can be!:(

convert

This may be of interest: What is Stringhalt and Can It Be Treated? - Dressage Today
https://dressagetoday.com › horse-health-