'Cold Back'

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Miss Daisy

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Can anyone out there clarify exactly what a 'Cold Back' is?
And.....what can I do to help?
What are typical signs etc?
Any help or advice welcomed!
Thanks-x
 
i think its a term generally used to describe a horse with a sensitive sometimes painfull back...
symptoms depend on severity....
i had a horse years ago who was slightly cold backed that could be easily managed by simply walking him in hand for 10mins before tacking up, but if he wasnt however he would rear vertically buck and litterally stop at nothing to dislodge the rider!
i once saw a severe case that would litterally quiver and shake when anything touched its back :(
 
oh and always mount from a high block and never straight from the ground!!
hope this helps a little!
definalty worth having a vet to check lots of other problems can be ruled out then.
good luck and dont give up! i regret selling mine because of it when in his case the issue was so easily resolved x
 
A cold back is one of those 'syndromes' (another term for people having little idea of the root cause of a health problem). Symptoms vary from problems girthing up to bucking when mounted. The problem is usually caused by tight muscles in the back which in their turn could be caused by poor riding, an ill-fitting saddle, muscular problems elsewhere in the body causing stress, therefore tension and tightening of the back etc. What is clear is that your horse is telling you that he is in pain and you need to find the root cause. I would look for someone locally who works with 'problem' horses and who has had success with other similar cases.
 
Thank you very much for your feedback!
I've recently bought my horse although I knew him prior to buying.
That said, I did have a 5 grade vetting, so would hope the vet would have pick up any underlying issues.
He does have a sensitive spot on his back which (when riding) if you manipulate he hops his hind quarters!?
Any advice gratefully recieved and thanks again for the feedback so far!
 
Mine was said to be 'cold backed' when I got him.. Could have something to do with the fact that his po s riding him in a tiny pony saddle!. He then became girthy to the point where he would panick and lay down when a vet found it to be caused to an ulcer and an imbalance in the hind gut so 'cold backed' is just a term for a horse that reacts when saddled, mounted, girthed etc.. Could be caused by anything
 
My boy has very sensative skin to the point of white markings on his skin if I over tighten things he used to bronk do small bucks bunny hop I am convinced it was spasms in his back now I have McTimoney out every 3 months and use a equilibriam back massage pad before I ride him and he has magnetic boots on at night this has helped a lot he is NOT naughty like some people would say just telling me something is up !!
 
Probably echoing what others have said, but never mount from the floor, dismount and mount from a mounting block. Make sure you don't use too many pads under your saddle, if your shoes are size 7 you wouldn't wear three pairs of socks so that you need a size 8 would you??

It might be worth getting your horse checked out for gastric ulcers, apparently from what I read these can cause 'cold back' issues. This needn't cost a fortune, since I've had my horse on slippery elm in his feed he has been a lot less symptomatic of ulcers.

I'd use a massage pad and maybe suggest using a vet physio or chiropractor too.
 
i thought my girl was cold backed until she went lame and was diagnosed with medial lateral imbalance. because her feet were sore she was compensating through her back hence the dipping and being v.tense threatening to buck me off. corrective shoeing and a fantastic mctimoney woman and shes brand new! i think sometimes u need to look outside the box and ask 'why are they doing this' coz as i said, was nothing to do with her having a bad back :-)
 
callmelucky said:
i thought my girl was cold backed until she went lame and was diagnosed with medial lateral imbalance. because her feet were sore she was compensating through her back hence the dipping and being v.tense threatening to buck me off. corrective shoeing and a fantastic mctimoney woman and shes brand new! i think sometimes u need to look outside the box and ask 'why are they doing this' coz as i said, was nothing to do with her having a bad back :-)
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Yep I agree, just had my McTimony lady out yesterday and his pelvis was out and sore in back and neck like I said I have her out every 3 months he hunts twice a week will continue to use his massage pad and magnet boots at night am thinking of getting him a magnetic rug to go on at night he's 13 now and mac t said if I look after him like I am he will go on till he's at least 20 !!! He had obviously done something in the field or jumping we must look after our little treasures ! .
 
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