Argh! Bad Back in New Ned!!

[cob1]

Had my horse since April, and everything seemed to be going swimmingly - he passed 5 stage vetting no problem. Had a saddle proffessionally fitted, and was only rechecked 3 weeks ago by saddler.

Every week i check his back by feeling for pressure points etc (i am paranoid since my TB had had KS and various other problems). I touched the top of his withers and he went MAD - kicking out etc., down to the dip if the back. Even his neck is sensitive to half way up. My instructor rode him before this and said he was a bit tense, and she felt perched (which is normally not the case).

I havent a clue why - but suspect that it may be the saddle since the saddler said it was OK to take the prolite out.

Ive got the physio coming out next week (he can also check the saddle) to see whats going on, and hes on field rest until then.

Hes always had a problem where he stops on hacks and shakes his whole head and neck up and down, or does it while walking / trotting and i have had his teeth done just after i bought him and checked a few weeks ago. Me and the vet had put this down to him being naughty, but maybe that might not be the case.

If anyone has any advice etc that would be appreciated.

 

[Llwyncwn]

Sorry to hear you are having problems with your new horse especially after your experience of KS. IMO you are doing the right thing by resting him and getting your physio out. As far as being naughty is concerned - to me it sounds as if he is trying to tell you there is a problem! Do you know if he has had a fall on his neck/withers in the past? In the meantime, if he were mine, I would give very gentle massage and see what his response is.

Disclaimer - I am not a vet or physio and this is from my own personal experience !!

We are having a similar problem atm with a rescue who is displaying extreme behavioural problems.

 

[Peanot]

Hi, I hope everything goes well for your new horse, there is nothing worse. I bought another horse in January this year with the saddle that it wore. She had been off work for a few weeks as the owner was unable to ride her. But when I started to ride her, she obviously changed shape. Needless to say a new horse means teeth, back saddle checks etc, so chiro/massage person had a look and pointed out that she had a hard spot either side of her withers and on looking at the saddle, it was too narrow. I took her that same week and got her fitted with a new saddle. That was 5-6 months ago. We have been jumping some nice tracks and with that, she has developed even more muscle and having a couple of stops made me check saddle again. Sure enough it sat iffy on her back. Now I had a saddler out about 6 weeks ago and he said that the saddle seemed OK. But I took her a few days ago and a different fitter put my saddle on and told me that she had changed shape again and her saddle didnt fit her. It was too narrow. Hence the refusals, (I hope), and we came away with yet another new saddle but they did give me a really good deal.
So getting back to your post, (sorry to go on) I would get another person out to check your saddle and definately get the chiro/muscle person out.
Could he have got cast in the stable, or fell/slipped?
There is obviously something that has caused this and so hopefully it can be put right. But ask the chiro to check your saddle, cos in this area it is usually always the saddle.
When you put your saddle on, are the tree points at the same angle as the shoulder underneath, and not sticking into his withers? Is the saddle contouring to your horses muscles? and not sticking out unevenly touching.
I hope you can get this sorted quickly. Keep us updated. Good Luck.