Any movement results in wear and tear... if they don't start out with issues, they develop them. His bad shoe job probably made him just move wrong enough to cause aches, but nothing else you could put a finger on.
But even in the best circumstance and with the best of care, we all wear out. And you ride a lot! It could be you need to have more than one horse so you can rest one! ;~D
LOL...No I don't want any more horses, more horses means more problems:)
I have learned that I don't have to ride hours and hours every day for him to be in shape for a competition. My goal is to ride him 3 X's a week, and Rocky 2X's. That should be plenty.
Becky