Back problem or contact problem?

[little_critter]

I’m finding that my horse is snatching at the reins and wanting to put his head really low.
Recently I’ve spotted a tight spot on his back and had it treated by a body worker.
The ‘vibe’ I’m getting when he snatches at the reins is that he wants to stretch his back, but of course it comes with other contact issues because I’m telling him we can’t do 50% of the hack with his head on the floor, so there is some ‘discussion’ down the reins about this.
My plan is to hack him bitless today to check whether he still does the same thing without a bit in.
We had a bit fitter out last week and she didn’t find any issues, he did do a little of the snatching during the bit fitting session but not as much as a normal session or a hack. I’m guessing because the bit fitting has lots of pauses in it.

Anyone else have a horse presenting with back discomfort in this way?

 

[fredflop]

Have his teeth been done recently

 

[little_critter]

Have his teeth been done recently

Yes, December

 

[ihatework]

Contact issues can come from all sorts of physical discomforts, including back. Back pain can also be secondary to limb pain.

As this is seemingly a ‘thing’ for you at the moment I would probably get a good vet to check your horse over. If you get the all clear then maybe find a trainer off yard, to help with lessons, your confidence and to help school your horse.

 

[little_critter]

Contact issues can come from all sorts of physical discomforts, including back. Back pain can also be secondary to limb pain.

As this is seemingly a ‘thing’ for you at the moment I would probably get a good vet to check your horse over. If you get the all clear then maybe find a trainer off yard, to help with lessons, your confidence and to help school your horse.

Thank you.

 

[sbloom]

Often saddle, the rooting is part of pushing the saddle up off the back.

 

[little_critter]

Often saddle, the rooting is part of pushing the saddle up off the back.

Thank you. A saddle check is on my list. His tight spot seems to be towards the back of the saddle.

Conclusion of todays bitless experiment:

I thought he wasn’t going to do it (proving it’s a me/ bit problem) but then found that if I ask him to collect a little, his reaction as soon as we finish collection is to want to snatch / stretch.
He wasn’t as bad bitless but I suspect that’s because
a) I can’t ask for as much collection bitless
b) he has less to fight against.

 

[little_critter]

Saddle fitter came out on Friday and found nothing awful. A little bit of a rock to it and the panels were very slightly unlevel. She adjusted the flocking and we were all happy.

Hacked him out this morning and didn’t get far at all.
He’s dropping his left hip, enough for it to be easily felt in trot and seen on trot up.
So I’m thinking the contact and back issues have just ‘outed’ their origin.
Interestingly while he wasn’t lame for the saddle fitter he was even more behind the leg than usual.
And the bit fitter commented a few weeks ago he wasn’t pushing equally with both hinds.
I’ll see how he looks tomorrow in case it’s just a silly knock in the field.
He did have hock injections approx 3-4 years ago so maybe he’s feeling his hocks again.

 

[spotty_pony2]

I’d say it sounds like potentially hocks. Especially as you say he does it more when you try and collect him. You could try him on a bute trial for a week and see if he stops doing it? Then you will know it is likely a stiffness issue.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Sounds like hock to me. My boy had hock spavin at only 5 and that was how he presented.

 

[little_critter]

And this evening he seems fine again.
Problem is he’s put doubt in my mind now. I want to get a lesson booked in with a new trainer and now I’m analysing his every move.

 

[Zoeypxo]

One of the first signs my horse needs a hock injection top up is snatching the reins

 

[little_critter]

Gosh I’m flip flopping now.
I lunged him tonight to get a good look at him and while I can’t see a lameness he is very underpowered and his back looks dropped and braced.
I’ll be calling the vet for a check over.