Cold Backed Horses...help please

[neighnay]

Hi there i have recently been given a 'cold backed' Horse to try and sell....however i appear to be falling in love with him! hes such a gent. Hes a 17.1 irish Draught ten years old. He was a mans hunting horse but this chap sadly died hence how i ended up having him. i have had him for a couple of months...when i tried him in the school he hadnt been ridden for about a year, i got on he had five minutes of sillyness(nothing dangerous, purely hopping about) he then calmed down. i got him home and i ahve only hacked him since having him at home, he got better as time went on. He would have five minutes up the lane of prancing about and then ten minutes in he would relax...however it appeared to get worse downhill, although again this totally stopped after say half an hour of riding.
I started to massage him for ten minutes or so before getting on him and this appeared to help somewhat. I have had him massaged recently and she didnt find he had any major problems just one spot he was very sensitive over, she suggested Mctimeney treatment...has anyone used this?
it also appears to me that when he may have done this behaviour in the past someone has possibly smacked him fairly hard as if you even touch behind the saddle he freaks out! so you have to rub him gently to get him use to it....its such a shame he does it as without that he is faultless...and i would be very tempted in keeping him if i know i would be safe on him.
Any ideas out there welcome!
Thanks in advance

 

[canteron]

He sounds lovely, poor soul.

I had a cold backed horse for a while and he was fine if worked every day, however if ridden irregularly, he couldn't help but react. I sold him on as a show cob to a very knowledgeable home which had horsewalkers, staff, etc and to my horror after a couple of years he put him on working livery .... however the horse is used so frequently it actually did work out!

However, I think they are all different and it is a case of finding the right management routine.

 

[Lisamd]

McTimony is great - i have all my 3 done every 6 months unless i think there is a problem in between. My 5 year old is a bit similar to yours but i have an Equilibrium massage pad which i pop on him for 30 mins before i ride (normally whilst i groom him and faff around getting my boots on etc!) and then he is a saint to ride - highly recommend these pads and they are really cost effective - all my lot have it on regularly even just as a treat and they all love it!

 

[dontgetoff!]

He sounds like a lovely horse.

It sounds like you are a sensitive and caring rider and are doing a good job of trying to find a way to help your horse. Just a few thoughts to add - have you had his saddle checked? It could be that it slips forwards a little going downhill and pinches his shoulders? And as already said I would definatley get a qualified back person to check him over as back problems (especially things like SI) can often show up more going down hill.

Massage pads may help, as may tacking him up twenty mins before you get on, and lunging before you mount - and stretching the front legs forward so the girth doesnt pinch.

It may be worth getting a vet to check him over too - he sounds genuine and like he is trying to tell you that something is uncomforatble.

Good luck, I hope you get it sorted x