At a loss wwyd

[HG95]

Hi

I have a 5 year old cob gelding.
I purchased him in October last year as a 4 year old.
Over the last few months his deminor when ridden has changed. He's bucked me off a few times. It's not just one buck it's several in a real attempt to get me off his back which are only happening after being mounted. Other times he's completely fine.
Out hacking he's become increasingly spooky.
Doing ground work he's stiffer on the right rein and tends to try and drift through his left shoulder.
I have been having weekly lessons on him and he gets schooled by a pro once a week.
His change in behaviour is concerning me. His saddle has been fitted and he's been seen by a physio and other than some tightness in his left shoulder and right hind he's fine.
He's fed a handful of meadow grass nuts with a powder vitamin and mineral supplement.
He's out and night and in during the day with soaked hay.
I'm at a loss as to where to go with him. Something deep down is telling me he's in pain somewhere but I don't know if I'm just over reacting

 

[ihatework]

You need to get the vet out

 

[scats]

You need to get the vet out

This.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

When was his saddle fitted? Unless he has changed shape since then, you need the vet to check him, tightness in his left shoulder and right hind doesn't sound fine to me.

 

[Equi]

Being concerned about pain is never an overreaction. Rule out pain, then look at his lifestyle and how much work he is doing. Hes still very young and could be having growth spurts which can hurt. Sometimes they need a break/taken back a step or two to lower levels to let them grow.

 

[PSD]

Do you feed him before exercising? Sounds typical of ulcers to me

 

[HeyMich]

Ulcers? Saddle fit? Both are worth checking.

 

[HobleytheTB]

Sounds typical of ulcers. The tightness across the diagonal from the right hind to left shoulder likely indicates a problem somewhere and some degree of compensation. Could simply be that he lacks strength and needs to go back a step and build more muscle.

 

[Lintel]

I would also be thinking ulcers, I would get the vet out.

 

[little_critter]

What does the Pro think of his behaviour? Is he being a cheeky youngster or do they feel there could be an issue?

 

[HG95]

Thankyou for all your replies. It comfirms my initial feelings of wanting him checked over. He's booked in at the vets for Wednesday morning.

 

[w1bbler]

Mine had tightness left shoulder & right hind, long story short, she was diagnosed with kissing spine, 'navicular' & ulcers. Diagnosis wasn't all at once, was a slow process during which she got worse before vets got to the bottom of things.
Essentially though it all stemmed from poor foot balance, which has been resolved with a barefoot rehab

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Once you’ve ruled out pain/medical issues, I’d get his saddle checked and adjusted every 6 months at least, cobs grow slowly and his shape will be changing very frequently.

 

[HG95]

Once you’ve ruled out pain/medical issues, I’d get his saddle checked and adjusted every 6 months at least, cobs grow slowly and his shape will be changing very frequently.

He has the saddler every 6 months anyway. It's only been 2 months since I was last checked but he's booked to come and have a look to see if it is related x