Back lady coming next week and im worried im on a slippery slope to beign ripped off?

Jesstickle

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What is the difference between unbalanced and unlevel?

Unlevel in my books means lame. Unbalanced means lacking balance. Now, agreed, the horse could appear to be unbalanced due to pain issues (although I would never say unbalanced = unlevel, more just 'not quite right) and unbalanced could be masking a medical issure, or it could be due to other things. Lack of fitness, lack of schooling, unbalanced rider, young horse, deep surface etc etc.
 

darkhorse123

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What is the difference between unbalanced and unlevel?

If you suspect your horse's behaviour is down to a physical problem get the vet out for a general MOT. If the vet pinpoints a muscular problem then a physio could do wonders for your horse. Without a diagnosis from a vet however you really won't know if you have a problem or what area it might be in.

ty this is what i will do
 

Paris1

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Recomendatuons are references, so your not stupid! Your not goingto rest easy until he's been checked now so you migjt as well fork out initially and if there is no problem you have gained some knowledge. Win win.
 

meesha

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I would try back person or vet but if not a back/lameness issue could he have problems with eyesight? Hope u get it sorted, been through it myself so know how u feel x
 

Jesstickle

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How have we got to an issue with eyesight?

Well as far as I can tell

1) new RI gets on horse and says it is unbalanced in canter
2) horse is now unlevel (lame!) and vet is needed
3) horse is blind

Love HHO :D

My money is on the OP's horse being absolutely fine and just needing a bit more schooling FWIW! :)
 

darkhorse123

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Well as far as I can tell

1) new RI gets on horse and says it is unbalanced in canter
2) horse is now unlevel (lame!) and vet is needed
3) horse is blind

Love HHO :D

My money is on the OP's horse being absolutely fine and just needing a bit more schooling FWIW! :)

lol this has actually made me chuckle - ty :)
 

Pearlsasinger

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The problem is the back peron isn't the saddler fiitter, the saddle fitter isn't the saddler. I have yet to find one person who understands all 3 lol


My saddler, who also fits saddles, did suggest that my ID needed someone to look at her back. I told her the vet had been out less than a month ago and given her the all clear. I waited another 4 months before getting the vet out again and wished I'd listened to the saddler!

OP the fact that your 'back lady' is a qualified equine physio and asked for your vet's contact details suggests to me that all will be well. I have been surprised how a small problem in one area can affect an apparently completely different part of the horse. But then I didn't realise until I had physio myself just how all the nerves and muscles connect within the body.
 

Rose Folly

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Interested in your thread but have to go out so haven't had time to read beyond about Page 3.

The point to me seems to be that your cob was doing just fine until you moved counties. Ergo, unless he was injured in transit or whatever, the behaviour is more likely to be psychological than physical. I too own a very spooky cob (could be you cob's sster!!) and changes of routine upset her terribly. She goes straight back to being the juimpy, leery, mannerless girl she was when I first had her.

You say you moved counties, then moved from a private arrangement to a DIY yard in 5 days. Give your poor fella time to settle into his new routine. Time is a great healer - of most things.

THEN, when you're sure it isn't in his mind, start on the back people etc.

And yes, I am a cynic. One of my liveries used to have a woman come out to do shi hitsu or ju jitsu or something on her Arab pony. I suspected this woman was a charlatan. Unfortunately, the owner could never be there so it was always me. I got so suspicious that I planted a trap, and said I thought there was something wrong with the pony's upper neck muscles as an ear had been drooping.(Both ears and indeed the whole pony were absolutely fine). She immediately told me that she could 'feel' that there was something wrong, bla bla bla, and told the owner the same over the telephone - only by that time she had the wrong ear - and I had forewarned the owner. So for heaven's sake do check credentials carefully. And good luck.
 

Cinnamontoast

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I had an equine physio put three weeks ago and had a follow up this week. She agreed with me that he is unlevel behind, but could find no medical reason as to why. I said his saddle needs refitting: she agreed and the only expense she suggested was a Swiss ball and Pilates classes for me! If I'm riding in an unbalanced manner, I need to address this.

Ultimately, as with any medical or complementary therapy, the owner needs to decide/pay for whatever he or she wants. Nobody can make you pay out fortunes, unless there is some major issue that needs addressing.
 

SO1

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I hope your cob is ok, if he is normally spooky then going to be a new place may make him even worse than before until he settles in.

With regard to being unbalanced in canter some horses find cantering easier than others. Heavier horses bred for driving or pulling are not always be natural canterers and often find trot a lot easier. Has your new instructor experience with cobs?

Unlevel is different as that indicates low level lameness.
 

darkhorse123

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Interested in your thread but have to go out so haven't had time to read beyond about Page 3.

The point to me seems to be that your cob was doing just fine until you moved counties. Ergo, unless he was injured in transit or whatever, the behaviour is more likely to be psychological than physical. I too own a very spooky cob (could be you cob's sster!!) and changes of routine upset her terribly. She goes straight back to being the juimpy, leery, mannerless girl she was when I first had her.

You say you moved counties, then moved from a private arrangement to a DIY yard in 5 days. Give your poor fella time to settle into his new routine. Time is a great healer - of most things.

THEN, when you're sure it isn't in his mind, start on the back people etc.

And yes, I am a cynic. One of my liveries used to have a woman come out to do shi hitsu or ju jitsu or something on her Arab pony. I suspected this woman was a charlatan. Unfortunately, the owner could never be there so it was always me. I got so suspicious that I planted a trap, and said I thought there was something wrong with the pony's upper neck muscles as an ear had been drooping.(Both ears and indeed the whole pony were absolutely fine). She immediately told me that she could 'feel' that there was something wrong, bla bla bla, and told the owner the same over the telephone - only by that time she had the wrong ear - and I had forewarned the owner. So for heaven's sake do check credentials carefully. And good luck.

see this is just my gut feeling - i know he wasnt hurt in transit - my friend brought him from leeds to cheshire with another livery and when he moved from one place in cheshire to another i followed the van
 

PeterNatt

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I would suggest that your horse has been unsettled by the move and new surroundings and that it will take many months for him to completely settle down again. I would suggest that all that is needed is for you to ride him out each day and get him used to his new surroundings.
If there are any concerns about lameness than get a vet in first to carry out a diagnosis and then go from there.
 

justforfun

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I loved my treeless saddles however they simply didnt suit my mare and she was unbalanced in it, My back lady works alongside my vet and also my saddler, was the treesless saddle fitted by a saddle fitter?
Using a treeless just because a horse changes shape is no exucse, there are lots of saddles with changable gullets on the market , but again they still need to be fitted properly and TBH I am in control of my cob weight and want whats best for her, and that is trying to stay roughly the same shape, fit and healthy.
 

darkhorse123

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I would suggest that your horse has been unsettled by the move and new surroundings and that it will take many months for him to completely settle down again. I would suggest that all that is needed is for you to ride him out each day and get him used to his new surroundings.
If there are any concerns about lameness than get a vet in first to carry out a diagnosis and then go from there.

ty peter - this is my gut feeling hence the post. he is not lame - just supposedly unbalanced in canter which i could expect as he is not used to cantering in a school - ive only ever cantered him out on hacks
 

lynds81

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It sounds like this physio knows what she is talking about, so I would let her see the horse and see what she says before you panic unnecessarily. Give her a chance - she can't make you spend any more money whatever she says, and you don't seem the type of person to get carried away with a 'fad'!!!

I would also keep him in work, as if there is nothing significantly wrong with him, the time off won't do him any good.

I get my horse's checked on a regular basis, and would suggest that a physio may find something you had no idea existed... It may be that there is something minor that your horse has had for the entire time you have owned him, or it may be from pratting round in a field in a new home, or he may be absolutely fine. Whichever it is, it's worth finding out if there is any doubt at all in your mind.
 

honetpot

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Most animals(and us) are stiffer one side and as you are a novice owner he will always throw you on to his easier side. Unless you make a point of working that side, always changing diagonals etc it will get worse. I think that is what the instructer probabely picked up.
I have an old pony who is really bad on one diagonal, when he comes back off loan after being with a novice it is always much worse.
I think by the sounds of it he's unsetteld and testing the boundries. I always start simples and then work up. If you know how your horse normally goes and until the instructer pionted it out no one else thought he was one sided/stiff I would not worry too much.
 

rockysmum

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I'm no expert but from reading this I worry that you think fixing his back will solve your problems with him.

I dont think it will, I think if there is anything wrong its a completely seperate issue.

I'm pretty sure that the bad behaviour out hacking is insecurity caused by the move. That was probably what was wrong when you first bought him and you worked through it, you will need to do the same again.

Two of my horses are fine with moves, one is not. It takes her six months to settle in a new home even when she moves with her two friends and us. One of the symptoms is being difficult and spooky to hack and being afraid to be out of sight of her friends.

The canter issue is another matter, I personally wouldn't be worrying yet if he has never been worked in a school. Have you tried him on the lunge when he doesn't have the additional weight to worry about. But if you are worried ring your vets and tell them what you are doing. Then try one visit and see what the result is.
 

Paris1

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It eoynsnt have been Tao chi, karate or any other martial art, I hope!
If not shiatsu then reiki, most probably. I can cone and race a stick at a horse for you Rose Folly if you want?
 

*hic*

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My take on this would be:

Horse is unsettled after move: check length of turnout in comparison to old place, check feed and if he's getting any cut it out, consider effects of spring grass/better quality grass.

Horse is unbalanced in canter: you then say he's not been in a school in canter, only on hacks, plus you have a new instructor who doesn't know him or you. I'd hold fire on getting any specialist out to see him and perhaps start with a different instructor explaining you haven't had the chance to "school" him and ask her to help you work on his balance, then see how he goes.
 

lannerch

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Who is the equine physio coming out? My physio is great and will never treat for the sake of treating.
That said many horses out there go round with sore backs with owners completely blissfully unaware, the back is a complex thing and it does not take much to disrupt the balence especially as things get older ( that includes me )
so getting it checked is a top idea and don't confuse chartered equine physios with the old fashioned unqualified back charlitan that goes round ripping people off!
 

Equilibrium Ireland

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Between my back person and vet we helped my mare before issues started. She is a jumper so wanted to give her the best I can. She has a longish back so an understanding from everyone involved keeps her right and she needs very little. My guy also does not charge if nothing is needed. As for horses not needing Chiro because they are only liesure horses, true, but sometimes they do jar themselves every now and again. Like humans vacuuming and Woops, did my back. But yeah, I agree you have to be careful in who you use.

With regards to saddle fitters, and no disrespect to the ones who don't rip off people, I've yet to see one not recommend a new saddle. One lady had 3 different saddle fitters and bought 3 new saddles. Vet check revealed all 3 times horse's back was fine. But she just wasn't believing it because saddle fitter said there was a problem. Obviously I'm not advocating riding in bad tack, but I'm really not keen on saddle fitters at the moment.

Terri
 
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