Cold Backed Horses...

charliesarmy

charliesarmy

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Does anyone have one???and to what extent is he/she cold backed....I been told about a horse for sale but been told he is slightly cold backed ie he slightly arches occasionally...but has bucked twice with owner in 7 years shes had him....It defo doesnt have "Kissings" but I have never really come across a cold backed horse....do they deteriorate as they get older?? any help guidance please or should I just walk away...
 
I wouldn't buy it but that's just a personal opinion. Unless you get this horse x-rayed and scanned you won't know for sure that he doesn't have an underlying issue. You could be buying a large amount of heartache and even larger vets bills.
 
My rescued gipsy cob mare was backed at the ripe old age of 12! We think she'd just popped pretty babies before that. For the first 4 months or so, she needed a minute to herself when you first got on - you could feel her back round underneath you. But if you left her alone for 30 secs and let her take a few steps to think it all through and feel the rider's weight, she was fine. Now she's in regular work she doesn't do it at all. If the ned you are interested in is perfect in every other way, I'd say it might be possible to work through it. Otherwise, sadly, there are plenty of horses out there who aren't cold backed and who might be a safer bet.
 
If you insure, presumably the insurers won't exclude back as there is no known problem; would that give you a bit of peace of mind if you are very keen to buy the horse?
 
In my ones case, he got better. Mine was "cold backed" for the first 2 years I had him, we'd had his back / tack etc. all checked but they found nothing. Then I put him on NAF Superflex purely for maintenence and within 2 months suddenly it improved and he rarely ever does it now! Only ever does it occassionally if I get on him when hes cold at an exciting event or something. Now, I dont know if the Superflex did it - hard to prove but worth a shot!

I HATE the feeling of them arching their back, and my horse bronc'd me off twice during those 2 years but otherwise he has been a fantastic horse so I wouldnt necessarily turn a horse down because of it.
 
Hmmm, to me a cold backed horse does not just put it's back up and stick in a few bucks that is a cheeky horse.

What I understood to be cold backed was the horse that totaly flips out, when either mounted or girthed up. I mean totaly flip out, I saw a TB gelding do it with my mother many years ago. He just threw hiself about until he fell over. Then seemed unable to get up until the girth was losened, then just suddenly went back to normal.
The vet diagnosed him as cold backed.
 
i have a cold backed horse, weve now had her for 10 years. When we first bought he she was very bad when you first got on her...however now it only happens once in a while...I think its to do with the management of the problem.
When we first got her we got straight on her and hoped for the best...but now...we walk and trot her in hand (or lunge) for 10 mins first to looosen her up and gradually do the girth up whilst ridding, not fully all in one go. Also, weve found that standing up the stirrups for a couple of strides as soon as you get on, relieving the pressure on the back works!
But i suppose theres lots of variance with each horse!
Good luck
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Hi, ALL
I wouldnt turn down a horse, because of it being cold backed
my horse has been cold backed since i have owned hm, 5 years and as long as he is given a while to adjust to the saddle and weight, hes fine. YOu do have to be a sympathetic rider to cope with him. he cannot be rushed and needs time to warm up before he can go into an outline. If you dont have patience for this , then I would look for a different horse . There are plenty out there, just depends on how much you like the horse. I would never part with him for any horse, even though hes cold backed! ( then again Im soft!)
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[ QUOTE ]
i have a cold backed horse, weve now had her for 10 years. When we first bought he she was very bad when you first got on her...however now it only happens once in a while...I think its to do with the management of the problem.
When we first got her we got straight on her and hoped for the best...but now...we walk and trot her in hand (or lunge) for 10 mins first to looosen her up and gradually do the girth up whilst ridding, not fully all in one go. Also, weve found that standing up the stirrups for a couple of strides as soon as you get on, relieving the pressure on the back work
But i suppose theres lots of variance with each horse!
Good luck <img src="http://origin-www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[/ QUOTE ]
I agree completely with this post
 
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