Real Rider Resource
Horse Short-Striding
Short-striding is rarely laziness — it’s often your horse protecting something that hurts. This quick guide helps you spot the signs early and understand what short steps are telling you.
What Riders Notice First
- Choppy, tight steps at walk or trot
- Reluctance to lengthen the stride
- Uneven push from behind
- Stiffness starting or stopping
Short-striding is one of the earliest soundness clues. Catching it early can prevent bigger problems.
Common Causes
- Sore back or tension along the topline
- Hock or stifle discomfort
- Suspensory strain or early soft tissue issues
- Hoof imbalance or sole soreness
- Ill-fitting saddle or uneven rider weight
Quick Rider Checks
- Does warming up make it better or worse
- Any heat or swelling in legs or joints
- Is the stride shorter on one diagonal
- Does stretching relieve tension
- Any stumbling or toe-dragging
How Draw It Out® Fits In
Riders support stride comfort with Draw It Out® 16oz Gel for backs, stifles, and hocks RTU Spray across large muscle groups after rides CryoSpray for cooling when needed and MasterMudd™ EquiBrace for deeper soft-tissue areas guided by your vet.
Want the full short-striding guide Get deeper cause breakdowns, care routines, and soundness red flags.
