After reading this post, I WENT to google some more. It may be Rusty did the hitchty step, and I mistook it for stepping on rocks. The articles I read said in cases of a few hitchty steps it's mild stifle problem. When they go to hopping on one leg like Rusty it's a bit worse, but could still be from a lack of conditioning or bad confirmation. I don't think his confirmation is bad, he may be a tiny bit straight in his back legs, but I think since the problem is just now (I think) showing up, it's more due to the lack of conditioning. I was just doing to much circleing and tight circles even tho I was n't doin it fast and hard or for long periods. Harley doesn't have any problems, but I'm not going to work him in the arena anymore till I Do a few weeks of hills to strenghten him up too.
I get so frustrated. I see so many people drag horses out of the pasture after being off all winter, do all kinds of hard riding, and events and don't have problems....so why do I when I try to be careful about stuff like that...(I think I'm on the pity wagon:)
Becky
We all know people who don't give their horses a second thought and though it seems like they get away with it, they really don't. They just don't notice these things.