cob&onion
Well-Known Member
Going from my previous post:
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=458664
Mare been off for 6 weeks now, been in lunge work for the past 2 weeks.
Today the physio came. Not so good news
its not saddle issues.
She is VERY tight in her back, all over, stiff behind (her hocks) and has a very slight roach back - which i knew about (this is another story). On a tight circle she was very stiff on the left rein. She trotted up ok although she did hold her tail to the right quite a bit. She was very sore across her back and uncomfortable across her spine.
So in a nutshell this is what happened:
Tight back - physio says this could be caused by lower leg lameness OR the stiffness behind could be the cause of her tense, weak back. (bit chicken and egg) This was definitely the cause of her not being comfortable working in a consistent outline.
Physio massaged her back and she did seem to trot up a little better afterward.
Roach back - located T16 - T18 - poss kissing spine (but did say it wasn't overly concerning as alot of horses have it and don't have a problem) this area sits just behind the saddle.
Basically her conformation is working against her, she is very straight behind.
Been told to long rein for 10 mins everyday in side reins (loose to encourage her to stretch down into contact) and over elevated trotting poles for the next 4 weeks to get her really start stepping under and working herself from behind to open up her back muscles, then she is too be assessed again. Hopefully she should be improved by then, if not then we need to look at other things ie investigate the stiffness behind.
I asked physio to be honest with me about prognosis and she said she will not commit to anything yet, we need to see if she improves in the next few weeks then we will have more of an idea. I asked if its likely she will end up a big field ornament and again she said its too early to say.
I was always half expecting an underlying issue as she is very reluctant to work from behind, she has been very honest and genuine to put up with it for so long as its clearly been bothering her. She is my forever horse (although she was bought for me to bring on and sell untill my youngster was ready to start her education) but i kinda decided to keep her after 6 months and decided not to part with her (had her 2 years). If the worst comes to the worst and shes comfortable and not in pain then she will have to be a giant pet, she owes me nothing. I have 2 youngsters, one of which i am currently backing who was always destined to be my main riding horse anyway.
Of course i am really hoping that she will be okay and hoping with time and the right treatment, she will be ok to ride again, but its going to be a while yet i think, its quite complex.
Anyone else had similar issues?
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=458664
Mare been off for 6 weeks now, been in lunge work for the past 2 weeks.
Today the physio came. Not so good news
its not saddle issues.She is VERY tight in her back, all over, stiff behind (her hocks) and has a very slight roach back - which i knew about (this is another story). On a tight circle she was very stiff on the left rein. She trotted up ok although she did hold her tail to the right quite a bit. She was very sore across her back and uncomfortable across her spine.
So in a nutshell this is what happened:
Tight back - physio says this could be caused by lower leg lameness OR the stiffness behind could be the cause of her tense, weak back. (bit chicken and egg) This was definitely the cause of her not being comfortable working in a consistent outline.
Physio massaged her back and she did seem to trot up a little better afterward.
Roach back - located T16 - T18 - poss kissing spine (but did say it wasn't overly concerning as alot of horses have it and don't have a problem) this area sits just behind the saddle.
Basically her conformation is working against her, she is very straight behind.
Been told to long rein for 10 mins everyday in side reins (loose to encourage her to stretch down into contact) and over elevated trotting poles for the next 4 weeks to get her really start stepping under and working herself from behind to open up her back muscles, then she is too be assessed again. Hopefully she should be improved by then, if not then we need to look at other things ie investigate the stiffness behind.
I asked physio to be honest with me about prognosis and she said she will not commit to anything yet, we need to see if she improves in the next few weeks then we will have more of an idea. I asked if its likely she will end up a big field ornament and again she said its too early to say.
I was always half expecting an underlying issue as she is very reluctant to work from behind, she has been very honest and genuine to put up with it for so long as its clearly been bothering her. She is my forever horse (although she was bought for me to bring on and sell untill my youngster was ready to start her education) but i kinda decided to keep her after 6 months and decided not to part with her (had her 2 years). If the worst comes to the worst and shes comfortable and not in pain then she will have to be a giant pet, she owes me nothing. I have 2 youngsters, one of which i am currently backing who was always destined to be my main riding horse anyway.
Of course i am really hoping that she will be okay and hoping with time and the right treatment, she will be ok to ride again, but its going to be a while yet i think, its quite complex.
Anyone else had similar issues?
