AskHQ: My horse has started stumbling more frequently. Sometimes it’s just a toe drag, but other times he feels as if he loses his balance for a stride. How do I know what’s ‘normal’, and what’s a sign of something serious?
A: Occasional stumbling can happen to almost any horse, especially when they’re tired, on uneven ground, or mentally distracted. But consistent stumbling. or stumbling that feels unlike your horse’s usual way of going, deserves closer attention because stumbling can be the first subtle sign of discomfort, weakness, poor proprioception, or even neurologic compromise.
Below are the key considerations vets and biomechanics specialists use to differentiate between ‘common and harmless’ and ‘worth investigating’. However, as always, we recommend going to a vet as a first port of call rather than waiting and trying to ‘diagnose’ the issue yourself.
Common causes of occasional stumbling
- Fatigue or low concentration
Young horses, unfit horses, and horses returning to work often lose focus or coordination toward the end of a session.
Clue: Usually improves with fitness and consistent schooling.
- Toe-dragging caused by mild weakness or laziness
Some horses move close to the ground naturally, particularly those with long toes or downhill balance.
Clue: Improves with transitions, polework, and engagement.
- Environmental factors
Uneven ground, deep footing, slippery patches, or shadows can all cause a momentary mis-step.
Clue: Happens only in specific places or conditions.
- Tack or rider-related balance issues
A saddle that tips your horse slightly onto the forehand, or a rider who gets ahead of the movement, can contribute to the issue.
Clue: Disappears with correct balance and improved posture.
When stumbling is a red flag
- A sudden change in your horse’s normal pattern
If a horse who never stumbles suddenly begins tripping repeatedly, assume pain or neurological compromise until proven otherwise.
- Stumbling that feels like a loss of limb control
This can indicate neurological involvement, such as spinal compression, EPM-like disorders, or cervical issues.
Warning signs:
- Crossing limbs awkwardly
- Difficulty stepping over poles
- Dragging hind toes
- Trouble walking downhill
This warrants urgent veterinary assessment.
- Stumbling accompanied by other signs of discomfort
These can include:
- Head nodding or head flinging
- Resistance in transitions
- Difficulty bending one way
- Shortened stride
- Reluctance to go forward
Pain in hooves, fetlocks, shoulders, or the neck is common.
- Possible hoof balance issues
Long toes, low heels, or an overdue shoeing cycle can dramatically increase tripping.
Clue: If stumbling increases as you approach the next farrier appointment, hoof balance may be a key factor.
- Weakness in the core or thoracic sling
A horse who ‘falls onto the forehand’ is more likely to trip.
Clue: Stumbling during downward transitions or on the corners.
- Lameness that is too subtle to see plainly
Many horses show pain first through proprioceptive mistakes, not through an obvious head-bob. This is especially true with bilateral lameness.
What to do next
Depending on your particular situation, we recommend the following:
- Book a veterinary evaluation
Your vet may perform a full lameness work-up including flexion tests, nerve blocks, radiographs, or neurologic assessment, depending on the horse’s presentation.
- Call your farrier
A skilled farrier assesses toe length, heel support, medial–lateral balance, and hoof landing patterns.
- Review saddle fit and rider biomechanics
A crooked rider or unstable saddle can tip a horse off balance.
- Strengthen your horse’s core and hindquarter
Cavaletti, hillwork, transitions, and slow, controlled strengthening exercises improve proprioception and reduce stumbling.
Final thoughts
A once-off stumble isn’t a crisis, but a pattern of stumbling is never something to ignore. Horses are designed to be highly coordinated; when that coordination falters, it’s often the first sign of trouble.
Early intervention – through veterinary investigation, hoof care and thoughtful conditioning – can prevent a small issue from becoming a career-limiting problem.