stumbling horse

Question
About 2 months ago I started leasing a 3yr old TB/Paint gelding, lives out 24 hours with around 6 other horses but until about 6 months ago
he was
stabled.Shod for the first time about 8 weeks ago. He trips and stumbles a lot and I recently discovered (last friday) that the lady who owns him and is leasing him to me was given was given the horse from a friend. This friend intended to do dressage with him but when she began riding him she realized he had a tripping problem and,thinking he had a neurological disorder she was going to have him sent to the slaughter house.The lady I'm leasing the horse from said she'd take him as he's a sweet horse she didn't want him to be killed.A fwe months later she leased him to me,telling me the previous owner had sold him because he was too small when he was actually given to her because of his tripping.I was completly unaware of this until a few days ago,I have started doing some crossrails with him and his tripping has gotten worse.On a few occasions he has fallen right down onto his knees, once(when we were only walking) cutting his knees and nose up.My trainer also only found out about this a few days ago and doesn't want me to ride him until can try to figure out what is wrong.This horse has the sweetest nature and follows me around everywhere,I want to continue leasing him and buy him soon but my mother thinks it could be dangerous,esspecially as I want to strt doing H/J.
I am worried about what will happen to him if I buy another horse, a horse with a problem like that can't always be ensured a good home.I am wondering what the cause of this might be, how dangerous it could be for me and my horse and how we can correct it.
I was thinking it could be when he's distracted(he is often trying to see what other horses are doing instead of paying attention to our ring work) or he could be green or unfit.Before I leased him he hadn't been ridden much.I don't work him very hard though and always give him time to cool off if he's sweating or breathing hard.His cannon bone is rather long and he is a bit pigeon toed.I was also thinking it could be a sign of navicular(he often leans his weight on one foot)or another disease. The second time he was shod I asked the farrier to cut his toes short but it hasn't helped.DO you think if we were to take his shoes off altogether it would help(I don't ride him on tar, and the arena we train in is sand)
Thank you
Samantha

Answer
Hi Samantha!

I understand your situation and your concern for a horse that is not even yours is admirable.

First, I would advise no more riding and certainly NO jumping.  This must be all about the health and safety of the horse and yourself.  It sounds like he is really trying for you because he knows he should, even though it hurts him and is too difficult.  You cannot ask him to do that any longer, now can you?

My advice is to have a vet come out and do a good pre-sale vet check comlpete with x-rays and soundness testing.  Not that I am recommending you buy this horse....no not at all.

It's just that kind of check out would show the vet any problems that the horse is having.  Ideally, you would have the farrier there at the same time and you would ride or longe him lightly for both of them to see and confer.

From what you have told me this is not the right horse for you to compete H/J on.  You cannot shove a square peg into a round hole because you like him and he is sweet.  He does not sound fit enough to do such rigorous work.  Why not?  That is for a vet and a farrier to tell you.

Accept their advice and work with the current owner to find a nice retirement place for him if necessary.

Also, I believe in humane euthanasia from a vet over sending any horse to the slaughterhouse.

At all times, even when it is the most difficult to do...you must put the well-being of the horse above everything else.

Good Luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange