Best way to eliminate physical causes for jumping problems

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Jessie83

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My 12yo KWPN mare was originally imported for SJ but 'didn't make the grade'. Over the past 3years I've had her, we've taken 1 step forward and 2 back every time with jumping and I'm sure she's got some deep-rooted anxieties about it because some days even poles on the ground will terrify her. Having had her for long enough now to have built up her confidence in all other ways, my jumping instructor thinks I need to get her back examined by the vet (again - was done just before I bought her) as her teeth are done yearly, osteopath has found nothing and I've just had a new saddle fitted, none of which have helped.

My question, before I pay out lots for vets fees, is what exactly will a back exam do and will it definitely find anything that's causing her pain? I'm assuming they'll x-ray, so what if it's not a bone problem; what if it's muscular? Or what if it's in her hips or legs, not her back? I've also heard of thermal imaging to highlight problems - has anyone tried that?

I really need to solve this once and for all -thanks in advance for any advice you can offer:)
 
If you think it is physical you really need to do a proper work up rather than just getting a vet to xray the back, I would expect the feet to be the first place to look and to then work progressively up and backwards ruling out areas as they go, unless there are clinical signs that point to a specific area.

If it was a muscular problem a good physio would recognise this and be able to treat, obviously they need vets permission to treat and will not always be able to identify exactly where the issue arises from, for example a problem within the feet can cause pain to be found in the neck, shoulders or back as the horse holds itself tightly causing the tension in the muscles.

I have heard thermal imaging can be a useful tool in identifying areas that are potentially causing problems but they are only part of many diagnostics available and not always well considered by vets.

There could be so many reasons for her lack of confidence jumping and at the end of the day it could cost many thousands to only find that she has such a deep rooted fear of jumping it is not the job for her and that she would be best doing what she is happy and comfortable with, not every horse enjoys jumping especially if they had a bad experience early in life.
 
Hi be positive, thanks for your extensive reply - I was imagining that a systematic all over examination would be what's needed - should I ask my vet about this?

She's a complicated one, my beloved mare! I'm very aware that there's a possibility it could just be down to her not liking jumping and that's why I want to eliminate all physical possibilities to try and understand better. The confusing points about her are though- 1. We recently discovered that she loves XC, but one the same day showed her a SJ course and had no end of trouble. 2. Some days, she'll jump calmly and work with me responsively, and on those days, it's clear to see she knows what she's doing and has a tremendous jump. 3. If we're going through a period of jumping regularly and trying to make headway, she stops getting stressed and rushing, and yet once she puts in a stop, she will refuse point blank to even step a ground pole - no stress whatsoever, she's totally calm, just 100% stubborn that she will not go over.

So all in all I'm thoroughly confused and don't know what to do for her for the best!
 
I'd echo bepositive that thermal imaging can be really useful for the "Where hurts?" question. I'd also investigate whether she has any ulcery symptoms, or whether she's better jumping with fibre in her tum. Some horses get splash ulcers and this can sometimes show as getting stressy around jumping because the jumping causes the acid to splash. Mine got stressy about combinations especially, but would sometimes get tetchy about even just poles... other days she's be fine...
 
I agree with philamena that ulcers could also be worth considering, the problem you have with her is inconsistent so it can be hard to find the root cause.

One of mine was at times difficult to sj with random stops but flew xc on the same day, different trajectory or more adrenalin it can be hard to tell but he was scoped showing no real ulcers but a change of diet, keeping his tummy lined with alfalfa just before jumping has really helped so I think splashing was causing some discomfort while jumping which was also raising his stress level.

It would be a simple place to start if she had a small meal of alfalfa before jumping and was happier you may be able to manage things with little more than a diet and management change, scoping is not that expensive it is the Gastrogard to treat ulcers that costs so much.

Otherwise you really need to discuss the options with your vet , if you are insured be careful that they do not refuse to pay if it is considered a behavioural issue, if no physical reason is found they can be difficult about paying, it needs to be considered before starting just in case as these tests can run into thousands before any treatment is given.
 
A friend of mine had a mare that would behave in vaguely similar fashion - happy to jump 4ft one day and the next, refuse to co-operate at all. She was a tricky mare on the whole ie very mare-ish, so he at one point asked the vets to investigate hormonal problems/imbalances, with a view to trying something like Regumate. The vets agreed in the end that there was no actual problem and he eventually just had to work with her moods..! Perhaps not the most helpful response but hormones might be worth investigating, just a thought if you haven't considered that already?
 
This is all such helpful advice- thank you all very much!

I would never have thought of ulcers and as you say, that's a simple management change that I can try.

She is pretty mare-ish in general I guess and I have just ordered some agnus castus to try her on, mainly because her concentration is hopeless when she's in season and she gets a pain to handle, I don't notice much change when riding her. But maybe that will have a positive effect too.

And as for having a good chat with my vet before diving in due to insurance companies withholding on behavioural issues, again, wouldn't have known that so thanks again for sterling advice :-)
 
Be positive -can I ask why you suggest an alfalfa meal? She doesn't currently have alfalfa in her diet, just chaff, beet, conditioning flakes and balancer.

Also, the yard switched her to one meal a day a few months back and I only just found out recently as I'm not normally up in the mornings, so while she's not showing any classic symptoms of ulcers, that could be a reason for them to have worsened as she's not being fed so often. When she has a bad jumping day recently, it's the worst in the 3years I've had her so makes me wonder!
 
Alfalfa is recommended as a good buffer for the acidity in the stomach, it is high in calcium, it requires the horse to chew well when eating which again is good as it creates plenty of saliva , although some people find it makes the horse footy so not everyone is happy using it.
I am now using Dengie Happy Tummy for a couple of mine, just a few handfuls per meal, not the recommended daily amount, they love it and it is useful to take to shows as a token feed between classes. I have also used Dengie alfalfa pellets and alfalfa molasses free.

Feeding once a day is not ideal for any horse, unless it is out 24/7 and only needs a token, if in mine get 3 meals a day, the ones that are out get 2, if in proper work as I feel they should not have too much in one go, if on livery it is just lazy for the yard to not feed before turning out, or cost cutting, even a token should be given, especially if they have run out of hay overnight.
The fact she is on conditioning flakes suggests she is not a good doer and needs more than one feed a day to gain most benefit from it, if she is sensitive any starch should be avoided, so should sugar, her diet may be causing some of the issues and would be the first thing to alter.
 
Hi Amymay, thanks for your message.

My farrier checks her feet thoroughly every 6weeks - do you mean check them in some other way apart from that?
 
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