Cold backed? Any advice?

[Brummyrat]

Im wondering if anyone has to deal with the joys of mounting a cold backed horse and how they manage it. Ive had my boy 18 years, from a baby and he's had a problem on and off all his life and Ive thought he's probably slightly cold backed. He has had his back checked and his saddle etc but the problem with him is tension I think (he's a nutty Sec D), he acts the fool when he has a roller on for lunging so it isnt just a mounting problem. Quite often he'll walk away from the mounting block and plod along, but on nippy days, when he's been clipped or just when he's feeling well he'll be "interesting" when I first get on. Usually its just a bit of piaffe then bunny hopping, going backwards but he's fine when we reach the school some 10m away. I rode him all this week and he was in plod mode. This morning however, at 8.30 when it was still cold, I got on at the mounting block and he went nuts, resulting in him losing his footing and going over backwards. I managed to bail out and there isnt really any harm done, just a couple of scrawps and a scratched saddle but he is fine, chased off the horses in the next field when he went out. Thank God. I use a mounting block always but unfortunately its on concrete, getting on from the ground somewhere soft isnt feasible, he'll be worse, plus I usually get someone to hold the stirrup when he's feeling fresh. I know lunging first will help but thought Id ask on here too because I definitely do not want a repeat of today, could've been horrendous when I think about it.

 

[*hic*]

If you know someone with an Equilibrium massage pad ask if you can borrow it. Not all horses like them but it really relaxes some of them as well as warming the back up. Whilst he's wearing it put his numnah over his quarters to get some heat into that, then quickly get the saddle on whilst his back and the numnah are still warm.

 

[MagicMelon]

My grey used to be cold backed when I first got him, he was for a good 2 years I think - would sometimes be fine when I got on but other days feel like a crab and be very tense for about 10 / 20 seconds then would be fine. The only thing that helped him amazingly was NAF Superflex, I have no idea how - but I put him on it and after about a month he slowly stopped doing it!

 

[The Boy]

What kind of numnah/pad are you using?
My boy came to me not very comfortable when first saddled (possible medical causes also excluded), but I've found a thick sheepskin lined numnah has really helped. I put saddle on first, very loosely girthed whilst putting on boots and bridle and just do girth up a hole at a time as we're getting ready. I think the sheepskin heats up quickly and by the time I'm ready to mount he's fine. Might be worth a try.

 

[Brummyrat]

What kind of numnah/pad are you using?
My boy came to me not very comfortable when first saddled (possible medical causes also excluded), but I've found a thick sheepskin lined numnah has really helped. I put saddle on first, very loosely girthed whilst putting on boots and bridle and just do girth up a hole at a time as we're getting ready. I think the sheepskin heats up quickly and by the time I'm ready to mount he's fine. Might be worth a try.

He has a thick saddle pad from Inch's plus a lambswool pad under an Albion saddle (now scratched!), but I do the same, doing girth up slowly, maybe I should slow it down even more.

I need to get an Equilibrium pad, anyone want to lend me some cash as Ive lost my job! A friend did have one but she's moved yards. I can afford Superflex though, I'll get some tomorrow. Feel so bad for my poor boy. Thanks for the responses x

 

[Irishbabygirl]

Do you think it might be worth getting an x-ray just to make sure its not kissing spines?

 

[Brummyrat]

That did cross my mind Irishbaby girl, but wouldnt he feel the same all the time? Ive ridden him four times this week with absolutely no incident, although it was during the afternoons when it was milder, Im keeping an open mind though and will see how he is tomorrow afternoon, Im planning to get on with my GP saddle if he seems ok, with help, and just walk him round for five minutes x

 

[cptrayes]

I've got one the same. I ride him in an exercise blanket and warm him up on the lunge before I get on. The colder it is, the worse he is.

 

[joeanne]

I've got one the same. I ride him in an exercise blanket and warm him up on the lunge before I get on. The colder it is, the worse he is.

That^^^ if his muscles are cold, they are tense and prone to spasm.
Lunge for 5 mins before tacking up and for 5 mins after, letting his stretch down.

 

[Brummyrat]

Thanks for replying, Im always in too much of a rush to lunge but its obviously the way forward so will do in future xx

 

[Tilda]

I posted about this earlier this week as my horse was rounding his back and shooting forward away from the mounting block despite having had a back check a few weeks ago and being fine. on advice from others I have been saddling him up at least 20 minutes before I get on (have been grooming where saddle and girth goes first, putting saddle on and then grooming around it) and putting his fleece on over it to warm up. So far this has made a noticeable difference and he hasn't arched his back at all.

 

[Cuppatea]

magnetic rug.
brilliant things.

 

[dressedkez]

I think that the tacking up in advance - and then possibly leading them around for a few minutes helps.....have you got an elasticated girth? My horseracing son tells me that it is very easy to over girth with them......i.e. it is always much tighter then you think they are......

 

[SpruceRI]

My 'D' was very cold backed as a youngster. Keeping her well rugged for at least 12hrs before I rode her made all the difference. It was no good rugging up an hour or 2 before hand, if she was chilly before that she'd still explode.

She's old now, but still has her 'moments' if she's chilly.

 

[sleepykitten]

I've got one the same. I ride him in an exercise blanket and warm him up on the lunge before I get on. The colder it is, the worse he is.

This is me too with my mare. I have had her 5 years and this definitely helps.

 

[JoannaC]

I always walk my mare round a few times in between doing the girthup and this makes all the difference and is quicker than having to lunge

 

[kezimac]

I would have back checked as my horse has kissing spines but never once bucked -reared- or arched back - she was just always a bit tight - my vet said was just muscular - I pushed for referral as wasn't convinced and X-rays showed 8 impinging spines - so you just never know how much pain they are hiding

 

[Brummyrat]

Thanks so much for your replies, vet is coming out on Friday when he's back from holiday, and so it starts....

Fingers crossed x

 

[Daytona]

Get a back on track rug if you can afford it and let him wear it during day if not a back on track saddle cloth and tack him up 20 mins in advanced. Works for my boy. I also use a massage pad. And massage his ham strings then back before putting saddle on and afterwards too as recommended by a vet who specialises in equine muscle therapy.

 

[Brummyrat]

Get a back on track rug if you can afford it and let him wear it during day if not a back on track saddle cloth and tack him up 20 mins in advanced. Works for my boy. I also use a massage pad. And massage his ham strings then back before putting saddle on and afterwards too as recommended by a vet who specialises in equine muscle therapy.

Thank you, I will definitely look at getting the saddle cloth at least, with my limited JSA finances at the moment! Vet suspects kissing spines, as others above have stated, he's told me to give him two butes a day and on day four (it'll be five actually) to get on (in the school) and let him know what happens, is this the usual route to go down? Looking into it, sounds like he's being displaying the symptoms for years and I just put it down to him being a bit hyper when he first comes out of the stable tacked up. I feel like such a bad mother

Saying that though, my vet seemed optimistic about his future, he is 22 after all so anything would be a bonus.