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Sprat

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Sorry in advance if this is a bit waffly, but if anyone has any advice or tips that would be great.

I have a new warmblood mare (rising 6 but very immature through her back and weak but long)

When I tried her, she worked into a nice contact, she occasionally ducked behind a bit but I put that down to a youngster thing (and I'm pretty sure she's been in draw reins a lot)

I got her home and had been riding her in my dressage saddle which looked to fit ok. After about 3 rides, she was definitely not happy in said saddle, and I had the saddler booked anyway. Saddler confirmed that the saddle was too long as she was very weak in the back (saddle is 17.5). Saddler then advised that I ride her in my saddle company gp as it was more compact, which she went ok in, though not ideal.

I have also had the physio out to her who confirmed that she was sore through her back (she had been ridden in a n-m saddle when I tried her - she is actually wide)

Since the physio has been out, she isn't happy to work into any kind of contact, and simply giraffes about the place. I know she is only young, and I'm not expecting her to work consistently like this but I'm drawing blanks as to what the issue here is.

I've been doing a lot of hacking with her, and the second time I took her in the school tonight, she very much giraffes again.

I don't know what to do for the best here - do I get the saddle re checked, do I get her back looked at again, do I look at trying more saddles on her?

Or do I need to be a bit more patient and continue with the hacking and groundwork until she builds some more strength and muscle through her back before attempting any schooling?
 
Saddle check again, it doesnt sound right! Is your physio coming out again? Mine had to come 3 times over a couple of months after a too long saddle made my little horse sore.
 
That's what I was thinking as well, but it's a bit of a catch 22 - if she is sore through her back, she is unlikely to go nicely in a saddle if it fits her properly or not, and so me not knowing truly if the saddle is any good. If I get the physio out first, and then try her in different saddles, this may make her sore again?

It's a flipping minefield. I think I had it easy with my last lad who was very easy to fit and rarely became sore!
 
Are you sure the saddle is wide enough? hollowing is a sign that it could be too narrow in front and if she has no top line to protect her back the saddle could be bruising it, I would be inclined to fit wider and put a prolite or something similar to fill it out until she muscles up.
 
Pinkvboots said:
Are you sure the saddle is wide enough? hollowing is a sign that it could be too narrow in front and if she has no top line to protect her back the saddle could be bruising it, I would be inclined to fit wider and put a prolite or something similar to fill it out until she muscles up.
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I had loads of saddle issues with one of mine he had muscle damage from a saddle to tight I bought one off lavinia Mitchell in the end and used a shim numnah, have a look on her website it has a very good page about muscle atrophy and saddle fit.
 
My physio is amazing and I now not all are, but shes done a saddle fitting course and insists on the saddle being there when she treats the horse. Shes always immediately pinpointing the issues my fitter has said, and my fitter always points out where she thinks he might have an issue based on the saddle. I'm lucky to have found them both :) But they cannot be the only competent people in the world!

If your anywhere near Northants I can recommend them, if not then post and ask for recommendations. Not all physios/fitters are alike sadly!
 
I think the vet might be called for but it needs to be the right vet .
I would start a lot of pole work from the ground and if possible get her out and about by leading from another horse.
Was she vetted ?
 
Thanks for he replies all.

Yes she was vetted, 5 stage and I had asked the vet to give her back a once over as I was concerned there was muscle wastage due to an ill fitting saddle but vet wasn't concerned.

Frankiecob, I'm only in rugby so not far from Northants at all!
 
I would see a vet at this point I think, you have tried physio and saddle fitter. Things have got worse when you would expect them to get better after treatment / saddle fitting and you already know she has a weak back. Might be time for lameness check and maybe some xrays?
 
i think vet, sometimes when backs keep getting sore it can be a lamness issue or kissing spine. she will certainly need ground work rather than ridden. hope you get everthing sorted :)
 
I'd give the physio one more visit. And just lunge/do some ground work in the meantime.

From my own personal experience of physio, sometimes after they've had s good "rummage" around, the area becomes very sore, and needs more treatment before it gets better
 
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