Back problems in horses?

[Guinness]

Went to a vet/client evening last night and we had a really interesting talk about back problems in horses. They were saying that over the past ten years or so that hindlimb lameness and back problems have increased whereas before forelimb lameness used to be most common. Do you think this change is due to higher expectations of the horse in terms of performance, or the way they are being bred (ie a conformation problem).

 

[bellaM]

I think that some of it is due to hindlimb lamenesses and back problems being more easily identified. Having a chiropract or physio out to your horse is far more common practice now. Not only this but vets are more likely to refer a horse to these people for treatment.

 

[Scarlett]

I believe this is mostly down to the trend for asking too much from young horses, IMO horses should be expected to do so much so soon..

I had an ISH last year that at 5 had scariolliac issues, we got them resolved and he was better, however no matter how well he worked he was unable to carry himself in an outline... After more vets bills they finally diagnosed more damage to his withers, neck and Poll, vet believes it was due to him being in draw reins or similar and being forced to work 'round', while the back and pelvic issues were caused by him hunting and jumping too much too young when not properly prepared for it.....

Such a shame as he was a fantastic lad and would have gone far if it hadnt been for his physical limitations... I sold him too a great home where he'll never have to do dressage!

 

[ajf]

Horses (many years ago!) used to have winter and summer saddles that were made to measure for them, now, people seem to buy a named saddle which supposedly is great, but just add a pad or something and use it on ALL their horses!!! Never understood this!!!

 

[Bert&Maud]

Agree with friendly_horses that modern saddling has a lot to answer for. Remedial saddler that I have been using has no time for deep seated "named" makes.

 

[YorksG]

Yes I remember when the saddle was fitted to the horse, not the rider, you were just lucky if the one that fitted your horse was the 'right' seat and size for you.

 

[ISHmad]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes I remember when the saddle was fitted to the horse, not the rider, you were just lucky if the one that fitted your horse was the 'right' seat and size for you.

[/ QUOTE ]

I remember those days too. Thankfully we have a really great saddler, who is also an equine chiropractor. She has transformed our horses since we started using her a couple of years ago.

Our worse experience with a saddle was from a so called Master Saddler...

 

[hunteress]

Yes I agree whith everyone I ve had over the last 18 months a bad time had a saddle made to fit £1200 for my lovely 15' 2" cob he must have put up with a lot anything else would have chucked me off!! anyway to cut a long story short had a saddler out (not master saddler they are c---p!!!) and the saddle wasn't even made properly to fit so now bought one of the new Ideal saddle (£900) FWB (full wide breed) Limpet saddle pad underneath (helps heal as well) nothing else on it dosn't move or tip to the side !!!!!!!!! my saddler says not a lot of people know how to fit these cobby types these days and they are becoming more popular and my boys not a heavy sort. My boy stopped jumping and all the usual sighns head twitching etc and I feel realy sad that I took so long to change it but when master saddle kept coming back saying it was me not the saddle you just beleive them after all they are suppost to be the experts!!!!!!!!!! so now after all this 3 lots of physio and a £1200 saddle that is duff we are getting there I have my lovely boy back and so much Freeer in back when I school him .

 

[siennamum]

I think it's partly due to better diagnosis. Everyone wants horses which work correctly and gait issues are identified better. Once upon a time so long as it went in stright linesat the desired speed, that was fine.
Some of these issues rear their heads often later in life as well and so where once upon a time horse woudl have been pts now it gets thousands of pounds spent on treatment.
I also think it's because everone wants horses which are well schooled and engaged. Some horses aren't built to use their hocks like sporthorses and get hock probs.
Another factor which people ignore at their peril is too much schooling in arenas. I have been in so many schools which are too deep, too loose & too uneven. Have always thought it's really bad for the horse.