bad back/cold backed/or just being naughty?

[joanne1920]

Hiya, My 4 year old cob was doing well, he went away to be schooled by my instructor for 2 weeks at the end of the summer, he came back alot fitter and he knew that leg on meant go forward (rather than pony club flaps!) i got my confidence back and we were doing short hacks on our own off road and even cantering on the stubble.... then something went wrong... i cant place exactly when it started to happen or what had happened to start it but suddenly he was arching his back when i got on, doing bunny hops and then feeling very stiff and lame, he would work through it and be fine. My riding instructor thought he might be showing signs of being cold backed and advised lunging him with tack on 1st before i got on... so i did ... perfectly fine, loose free strides in walk, trot and canter, get on back up, stiff rolly sort of gait, seems lame behing in trot no particular leg, again push him on for 10 mins and seems fine, strange... this is still continuing after about a month now... ive had his saddle fitted (just before he went away by a qualaified saddle fitter), he had his teeth done in may, although he is teething now and has got his tushes coming through, and had his back and the rest of him checked by a physio in may too... what should i do? i obviously dont want to keep working him if its making him worse... should i give him the winter off/turn away as he's happy to run about the field chasing the others and bucking/kicking etc... do i call the vet? do i call a physio? or do i just carry on for now and see what happens... could he be bridle lame? he has in the past done lots of things inc rolling with me on several times... refuse to move untill some one chases him with a lunge whip, walk backwards chucking his head up threatning to rear, bucking anything he seemed to know would knock my confidence ending our ride short... we over came all this stuff and had a brilliant few weeks in summer... then this.... help?!

cookies for everyone who made it through my ramblings.... x

 

[samstar]

Call a mctimoney if your not sure but the arching of his back sounds like he's sore, we had same problem.

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

Personally, if it was me Id have a chat with my vet and see what he recommends.

 

[joanne1920]

the vet whose judgement i trust entirely is away until 15th december :-(

 

[Morrigan_Lady]

In that case, I dont think Id ride the horse as you could be doing more damage. Thats just my opinion though.

 

[Darkhorse007]

you said back tack etc wast last looked at at the end of the summer and that he has had quite intesive training since then... as he is 4 chances are that he has changed shape indeed - and his saddle may well be pinching him quite a bit. have someone have a good look at the saddle - when you are riding him.

 

[Booboos]

I would get the vet to check him out as a lot could have changed with his back between May and now. If he/saddler/physio are all happy, it may be that he's being naughty, but what you describe sounds like back soreness.

 

[UKa]

I would have vet or back person look at him. It sounds as if he is badly sore. Had similar problem with my girl earlier this year and she was very very sore! Good luck, hope it is nothing too bad!

 

[e21631]

Definately not just being naughty. I would get vet out and not ride in the meantime. Your horse is trying to tell you he is in pain!

 

[lauraanddolly]

Sounds like he is in pain to me too, if I was you I'd get his back checked by vet and/or back person, then I would get his saddle checked again as it is probably that causing the issue, young horses can change so rapidly in shape and you say he has done quite a bit of schooling since it was last checked so muscle should have built up which could be causing the saddle to pinch etc.
I would keep riding off the menu until you can be sure what is causing the problems too. When I was saddle less for a bit (well 2 mths)in the summer I could still lunge to keep fitness up maybe that could be an option for you until all is checked ?

 

[emac]

it does sounnd like you horse has got a bad back in some way, i would make sure that you keep the horses back warm at all times. we had a horse that was cold backed where i used to work to ride him out in winter we had 2 saddle pads on and 2 sheets. i would then get a phyiso or chrioprator to look at him. also have you saddle looked at too.

 

[MrsMozart]

McTimony as suggestd. Vet soonest. Saddle checked again - also see what back person thinks to fit of saddle. No riding 'till then. Hope all is well.

 

[joanne1920]

i only ride twice a week for half an hour normally anyhow, but have phoned a physio/chiropractor person this morning, waiting to hear back... thanks for your help x forgot to say im not riding him now till he's been looked at!

 

[elouiseot]

Sounds to me like pain as well. I would start with stopping riding and getting the saddler out. Even if it is a simple case of getting his tack adjusted from experience I would say he would need several weeks off being ridden to let any muscle damage heal. I would continue to lunge with nothing on and walk him out in hand (if he will) to keep him used to going out of the yard. I would also call the vet and get him checked. If the vet thinks he is sore somehere I would then get the relevant specialist in to treat it.