Sour or Stiff?

@Billy Foster 35844 wrote:

….. Yesterday when we were leaving to mow again they were walking very slowly down the road to get to the field. It was slow enough that I was paying particulate attention to see if their was a problem. I though several times about turning around and going back but decided to see if they perked up. It took about a half hour or so for them to get back to performing as they normally do. After mowing for 3 hours they were fine to trot the half mile dirt road home. It would appear that they were a little tired of the routine and possibly a little stiff in the beginning.
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Billy, there have been times that I have noticed a distinct change in movement like you describe, and early on I wondered if there was something wrong…… However now (assuming it is the same…… I don’t want to discount your concern in case there is something wrong, but since both animals seem to be in coordination I will make my comment) I tend to recognize this as the horses becoming relaxed with the routine. I know that there are times when I expect a snappy gait, or significant exertion, but I have come to appreciate those times when my horses are just calmly walking.

Sometimes when we get used to a certain behavior it seems as though any break from that may be abnormal. If you can have a pair that walks along at an easy pace, what could be wrong with that?…… especially in really hot weather.

I also have been mowing with a tag-along DR brush mower, and I find that it can be difficult to manage the horses exertion to match the heat. They tend to want to work harder than they need to. In the woods it is the same way. But when I catch them voluntarily walking easily, I tend to reward them, and try to extend that as far as I can.

I see horses that get warmed up, and perhaps a bit tired, try harder, which can exacerbate the problem, making them hotter and more tired. So even though it is nice to have a snappy working gait, it may also be their way of rising to the challenge, and some more guidance from you might get them to walk more calmly during work.

If they walk like that again next time, try to see if resting them more often while working will extend the period, it is what I do.

Of course you may not like that gait, and of course there may be something seriously wrong with joints or muscles, so you should make sure that you are not making things worse. And certainly don’t let them get away with lolli-gagging their way out of a task.

Carl

hi billy, i haven’t used a rotary mower with a team, but imagine it could be a bit of a job for them. we have a lot of hay this year, and its starting to dry out a little and a little harder mowing. my horses are having to step into it a bit, forcing the mower, and i have snapped two pitman rods this year, one at the bearing at the wrist pin. the bottom of the bar isn’t even polished yet.
i was wondering, when your team started out a little slow that third day, how fast they might go if you turned them back to the barn? if they picked up a little, i might not be to worried about their health. like carl, the moderate team is the one i like. they have reserve when you need the extra, and mowing and cultivating can be a pleasure with a deliberate team. you might find they stand pretty good after a few days regular work. mitch