Bald Patches on back behind saddle and some heat + Bucking

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siant2

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Today I noticed two bald patches on my mares back either side of her spine about 2 inches behind where the saddle sits there appears to be some heat over the area but is not tender when I gave it a good prod. Had my saddle checked in May and he recommending using a poly pad (cant remember why, but he said saddle was fine for now but to recheck if she changes weight)

Since Sunday my mare (who is normally excitable and flighty) has been bucking 2 - 3 times a session, she normally only bucks approx once every 2 weeks when excited ie Jumping.

So I think she has something wrong with her saddle or back? But i dont know who to call first? - vet/saddler/physio or chiropracter....... Can anybody advise? Im also concerned that she could have kissing spines (as im really paranoid!).

In the meantime I will not ride her but do you think its ok to lunge her??

Many thanks, Please Help!
 
From what you say I'm assuming the two bald patches are behind the back of the saddle when you tack her up, but are they actually under the back of the saddle after you have ridden (ie is the saddle moving back and rubbing her, or is it the back of the Polypad that's doing it)?

Also, it always amazes me that "saddle fitters" suggest using Polypads - if the saddle fits properly, a thin pad or numnah is all that is necessary. Using a Polypad won't make a badly fitting saddle fit, and it will make a saddle that fits, not fit!
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It sounds like your saddle, for whatever reason, is making you sit too far back/tipping back/moving back, and causing rubs and pressure which would be very likely to make her buck. I'd say you need to get the saddle checked (but I wouldn't use the same person that told you to use a Polypad
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I wouldn't ride her in your saddle until it's sorted - lungeing should be okay if you can't find any tenderness in her back and if she appears sound and well-balanced on the lunge. Sorting the saddle should make all the difference to her.

I wouldn't be worring about KS at this stage - it sounds very much like a saddle issue.
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Like rowreach, I am very surprised a saddle fitter advised using a poly pad. You did say saddler said it was 'fine for now.'
Everything screams to me of the saddle not fitting, and it is quite a while since it was checked, so I would advise getting it checked now.
 
I would probably call the physio and then the saddler pronto!
If horse has changed shape, will likely to have 4 point saddle soreness (either side of withers and back of saddle area) Physio can sort this out quite easily...
 
Thanks for your replies, I will definatly not get the same saddler out again! But will get another saddler with several reccomendations. I feel like a bad mummy for not doing so sooner!
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My horse has had exactly the same rub marks and I bet a thousand others have too. It's where the skin is rubbed raw from a badly fitting saddle and no wonder horses get cross and unhappy. Ditto everyone else's remarks about polypads and "saddlers". When you have found a saddle that fits, be prepared for your ned to still think that it's gonna hurt and be a bit ha ha flighty!
 
I had my saddler out she's old school my saddle is on a cob he changes shape, start of hunting round, now he's well fit and has changed shape she reflockes it every 3 months and I also have a physio out at the same time i'm going to buy another saddle slightly smaller for when he is fit my saddles are the ideals for the wider breed I think your saddle is moving and sliding back to create the rubbing also it could be like the others say the numnah yet I know loads of eventing people swear by polypads what breed is your horse I know cobs are the worst to saddle fit let us know how you get on.
 
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