4 year old keeps getting very tight in the back

[Charla]

My gelding was brought in to work earlier this year. He was going really well and then started bucking. I had his back done and saddler out. Back lady said he was extremely tight and solid. After an hours massage she said he was back to being loose and so the problem was sorted. A couple of weeks back in work and he started bucking again. I put it down to him just being cheeky. Sent him away for professional schooling and was told he needed the back person out. Back person again said very solid and tight through back and dropped through the hip. They are now working him again but said he is still very tight. I asked why this might be and was told it should improve as he strengthens. I'm now thinking I need to get his back done at least once a month. Has anyone experienced this with their youngster before?

 

[siennamum]

Your back person sounds to be correcting a symptom rather than identifying the cause. You need to find out why he has a sore back, there could be a multitude of reasons I would have thought. Fundamentally it's not the place of your back lady to diagnose though and she technically shoudln't be treating without veterinary consent. I would be getting the vet to diagnose the problem in your place.

 

[Worried1]

Young horses change shape all the time especially as the grow and develop, where as an older horse may only need 6 monthly checks it may be that you need your saddle needs looking at on a more regular basis.

An adustable system that can be supported with removable pads on a pad is a good option, until such time that they finish changing shape.

Remember that a 4-y-o is still a baby and try not to do too much too soon.

 

[Charla]

Thanks for the replies. He definitely is constantly changing shape so I will get the saddle checked on a regular basis. He has the bates caprilli dressage saddle with the changeable gullets and flocking system so nice and easy to get changed each time. A friend has a youngster and for the first few months of her ridden education she was getting back massages once a month and regular saddle checks. It's only now that she has settled down it seems.

 

[TarrSteps]

I find 4 year olds VERY changeable in their backs - I've had some go through multiple saddles in that year, only to end up back in the saddle they started in. The combination of growing, where they're growing and work makes for a very changeable situation.

That said, there are all sorts of reasons a horse might be getting sore enough to stop work. If you're otherwise happy with the way the horse is going/looking then it might be a bit of a wait and see situation but if anything else makes you go "hmm" then it might be a plan to back off a bit and/or investigate further. Yes, young horses have to work through some developmental discomfort (before anyone screams at me, this is just fact, much as people would like it not to be) but regular pain, significant enough to affect behaviour or movement, is not normal.

Just to point out the elephant in the room, make sure there aren't any issues in her training/way of going that might be contributing. Absolutely no offence - I don't know you, I've never seen you or your horse but just as a general observation - I've seen back pain a lot in young horses that have been ridden short/tight in the neck, especially if they don't have the sort of "dressage" conformation that absorbs that more easily. (Which is not to say riding with the nose poked out is better, just that the riding has to be in tune with the horse's conformation and development.)

 

[Booboos]

If he were mine I would start with the vet to make sure there is no underlying problem. All sorts of other issues, e.g. stifle problems, can result in a sore back and it may be that your physio is only treating the problem.

If all is well then training and saddles are the next thing to consider. Maybe he needs a different/lighter training schedule, maybe he needs really frequent saddle re-flocking.