Back conformation, help please!

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uj1cm

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I've been looking for a horse for a while and have finally found one that ticks all the boxes! He was 5 star vetted today and he passed but the vet made a couple of notes regarding his conformation. My biggest concern is with his back (which I was also concerned about when I viewed him) - he is quite short through the back, has high withers and a 'mild' roach back.

He is a 4 year old 15.2 warmblood gelding. He is quite lean and a little under-developed at the moment. I think he still has a bit of growing to do. Is it likely that his back will improve as his condition improves? Has anyone had any experience with roach backs?

He is currently competing in unaffiliated dressage, scoring 65%+ each time out. I plan to do some BD and low level BE with him. The vet says that he will be up to the job but I'm a bit worried. Can anyone reassure me?
 
I vet a lot of horses and have similar conformational findings in more than a few.

TBH, if the vet is not concerned then it is likely to be fine. I haven't really had any problems with horses with roach backs, and bizarrely often horses that I do see with back problems, don't appear to have conformational abnormailites at all. :confused:

Sounds like I'd agree with your vet, it's likely to be fine for what you want.

Imogen
 
Imogen - Thanks so much for your reply.

I found it difficult to get the vet to give me any reassurance that this wouldn't cause major problems in the future. I understand that he can only comment on the horse on the day of the vetting but his reluctance to be drawn on the issue made me fear the worst!
 
uj1cm said:
Imogen - Thanks so much for your reply.

I found it difficult to get the vet to give me any reassurance that this wouldn't cause major problems in the future. I understand that he can only comment on the horse on the day of the vetting but his reluctance to be drawn on the issue made me fear the worst!
Click to expand...

Aha! That's more likely to be vet's protecting themselves. If the vet was worried that it was likely to prejudice the horse against the proposed workload he wouldn't have recommened it for purchase....we have to sign our names to that bit!!!

Naturally we are always going to say that this is valid one the day not a lifetime guarantee. ;)

Good luck with the horse
Imogen
 
i know of a little horse with a very bad roach back that is an absolute jumping machine and does extremely well bsja! i think if hes doing well and its managed well all should be well!
 
Thanks China. I think you're right. Now that I know he has a potential weakness there, I can plan how to manage it to prevent problems in the future. I know a great physio who I would plan to use. She's great at showing you basic techniques which you can use yourself between sessions.
 
Many horses look roach backed when they are lean. With a little more weight on it may "disappear". Also if he is roach backed (bent upwards) then in theory he would be less likely to get kissing spines because the dorsal spines will be bent away from each other, and kissing spines always worries me in a short backed horse.

Make sure he isn't lean because he's been kept short of food to keep him rideable!

Good luck. If you like him you should probably buy him.
 
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