Back Problems - AGAIN!

C

cob1

Well-Known Member
Joined
14 July 2008
Messages
485
Visit site
A little bit of history -

H/W cob i bought in April, behaviour got worse the longer we had him - found out it was the saddle - which i had fitted and was brand new.

Got ACPAT physio out who sorted out tense muscles due to it and the best saddler around to refit and flock saddle so it did fit.

He has started to do simialr things again - tail swishing, headshaking, napping and running away in trot.

Saddle looks to still fit - i am at a loss as to whats causing this (considering only 3 weeks since saddler and physio).

I have 3 lessons a week and my instructor says that i ride balanced and lightly, so hopefully not my riding!!

Hes only six, and i had him 5 stage vetted, has good conformation for his type.

Any ideas???
 
Hi I had horrendus problems with my cob and saddle so I did this had massage lady out about 3 times and bought a new saddle the Ideal FWB (full wider breed) its a new one from ideal and we havn't looked back I bet its your saddle a lot of so called saddlers don'y realy know how to fit cobs but I found an oldfashioned lady who has put me right I have my saddle checked every 3 months as they do fall at the front and thats when you get the back moving which will damage the back and spine hope this helps also my boy was about 6 and they don't fully grow up till at least 8 and fill out so a lot of change in shape.
 
I've had saddle problems and have gone through several saddles/fitters so fully sympathise with you.

I have found that Bowen treatment was better and lasted longer than physio - esp if it's a muscle problem that's been going on a while.

Whereabouts are you? I can recommend someone in my area.

Good luck, hope you sort it out.
 
My horse done exactly the same thing only more often than not if she ran off with me, she'd buck. The bucks were hardly small flimsy bucks either! She was also nappy and swishes her tail alot, but after many problem solving attempts nothing was wrong - other than her behaviour!! She was taking the piss out of me!

To encourage her forward i decided to change her bit from a pelham, thats was actually pulling her in, to a gag and have given her more rein. The more loose i am with her, the less anxious she is, although i still have enough contact. I have to use more leg too.

I've learnt to live with her now, i know her flaws. I know she bucks and can be nappy, but since changing her bit, shes not been her usual nappy buckaroo self. I'm aware that she may still try to get away with things but if her head goes down i know to pull her up. Shes a madam, but i'd rather the horse i know than the horse i don't know.

Could be her behaviour ? or bit?
 
Now you say ...

He was on second hole of gag, but we have changed it to a snaffle for schooling as the gag was restricting his stride (he leans so it is not that my hands were strong). DOnt know if anyone has any bit suggestions?????

I am quite concerned really as before i bought him and before the back problem reared its head he was an angel and a joy to ride. I am a 'novice' and pleasure rider and just dont enjoy riding him in his present state - he was bought as a confidence giver rather than taker!!

Going to get a second opinion about him from physio - but what doesnt help is that he is cahnging shape and the saddle fits one week and not the next.

I bought him after a TB with many many ailments (had to be PTS) and was hoping a cob would be easier!!!!!!

I was soooo wrong LOL!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Now you say ...

He was on second hole of gag, but we have changed it to a snaffle for schooling as the gag was restricting his stride (he leans so it is not that my hands were strong). DOnt know if anyone has any bit suggestions?????



[/ QUOTE ]

I'd recommend a Waterford everytime for a horse that leans
smile.gif
My mare came from a riding school and leant heavily on her snaffle, she was in a gag for hacking I now ride her everywhere in a Waterford snaffle (and lost the flash strap too as she no longer needs that) it has lots of bits so they can't lean
smile.gif
and she loves it. I tried a 3-ring continental before that (as wanted brakes out hacking) and she hated it, tucked her head in and bucked! But she pulls up in her waterford and doesn't buck! Happy days
smile.gif


I'm having a very similar problem to you, got a new horse that had badly fitting saddle, then bad back due to badly fitting saddle, then new bad saddle etc! Have finally got a saddle that fits but he has ended up with whole summer off, and therefore very strong and fresh but lost muscle. I'm trying to find things that suit him, he also hated the 3-ring, he has a cheltenham gag but that makes him tuck his head in and in the school (in a snaffle) takes him a while to realise he can work long and low. Am thinking of trying a grakle with snaffle or maybe a waterford on him. I need brakes and ability to get his head up but don't want an overly strong bit to achieve this.

Also the possibility that your horse just thinks his saddle hurts? As it used to? I think mine does this. Also he may have been using muscles incorrectly with the wrong fitting saddle so needs to elarn to carry you correctly again? I know my horse has changed shape (he no longer has odd shaped muscles behind the saddle from incorrect saddle but probably also means he doesn't have the correct muscles to carry new saddle and rider)

Hope some of that made sense
smile.gif
 
hmm, a lot of cobs are very strong minded, it might be worth seeing someone experienced ride him, and seeing whether he's just learnt to lean and run off a bit, testing you out. i second the waterford for hacking but never for schooling.
 
[ QUOTE ]
hmm, a lot of cobs are very strong minded, it might be worth seeing someone experienced ride him, and seeing whether he's just learnt to lean and run off a bit, testing you out. i second the waterford for hacking but never for schooling.

[/ QUOTE ]

Its not just his mentality - he is kicking out etc when certain parts of neck and back are touched. He was diagnosed last time by vet and physio with muscle pain. I have to admit, hes strong even when OK, but i can deal with this - even when hes leaning i can keep him staedy - but i suppose its a viscious circle as me holding him is making him do it more.
 
well its all fine treating the sore back muscles but really the whole way your horse is moving etc needs also to be looked at, i know lots of practitioners work differently so i'm not saying the physio hasn;t done this, could there be other problems elsewhere that are causing him to move slightly worng;ly and thus placing more strain on his back due to his posture etc, obv i can;t tell as i havent seen him but its all worth considering and perhaps for further discussion with the physio etc.
 
Physio and vet are coming to recheck him, ive got a feeing it might be something to do with his neck as it is very tense, and also his wither area. Pysio did a full body check last time with trot up etc.

He is only getting fed 3 scoops of happy hoof a day (in two feed) with Baileys LoCal Balancer) and ad lib hay when in at night. He is a very good doer and the correct weight (i condition score him regularly).
 
I really would consider finding an Equine Bowen therapist in your area - it can work wonders where other therapies don't, including physio and massage. Also, take a look at the way your horse is being shod - poor shoeing can cause all sorts of problems with the way a horse goes and can affect everything - including head, neck, back, shoulders and even tendons and ligaments.

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top