Confused

[Leam_Carrie]

Having an interesting time with my horse at the moment. She was going well last summer, then damaged her check ligament, so was gradually brought back into work under vets supervision. All went well.

When she was checked a month or so ago her back was a bit sore. We then found the saddle tree had twisted slightly. So treated by physio and osteopath, and temp saddle provided by saddle fitter (who watched me riding etc.).

Took her to a dressage clinic and she was opening her mouth a lot, coach suggested new bit. Had vet out to do teeth (all fine) who found her back was still sore - though mouth opening could be sore back. Suggested a few days of inhand pole work etc. and to lunge... as she’s a bit hollow lunging she suggested using something to help. Spoke to pro-rider who schools / exercises her and she said she might not like the saddle - so she tried her in one of her saddles and seemed to go better. In case it was my hands causing her to open my mouth also have planned weekly lessons once saddle sorted (but I don’t think my hands have got worse and wasn’t anim issue before)

New bit has arrived and she’s had it in a few times - and pro rider has checked position. New lunge roller, side reins etc have also arrived, so thought I’d have a go.

It was windy and on damp ground so only planned to walk (although horse had other ideas). What surprised me was she would sometime stretch down and open her mouth, but can’t think what’s causing it. We’ve only really been doing in hand work in case the saddle needs tweaking. Any thoughts?

(Saddle fitter is coming tomorrow, have an alternative saddle which is same as old saddle. Then physio is coming on Monday so all being checked. Vet called, before I’d lunged, today to check in and happy with the plan.)

 

[Equi]

Are you doing any stretches with her on the ground before and after work? Carrot stretches, leg and shoulder stretches really help.

 

[Leam_Carrie]

Are you doing any stretches with her on the ground before and after work? Carrot stretches, leg and shoulder stretches really help.

We could do more stretches. We do a few carrot stretches after riding. She’s quite tight through the shoulder so can work on that with stretches

Thank you ?

 

[Equi]

Stretches before are just as important as after. Shoulder tightness can come from pain in the back sacroilliac /hind as well as a pinching saddle, so try and do a full body stretch before and after. Carrot stretches, ham string stretches (i liked to add in a little hamstring massage too) hand under the belly stretch, forelimb stretch and the butthole stretch im not sure how to describe that one other than that. You might want someone (equine touch or the like) to show you that one first lol

 

[Foxaunt]

you can get those long hot water bottles (with a cover of course!) that might help to warm her muscles up before you ride, might help her prevent the hollow-ness if she's a bit sore or tense? of course I could be barking up the wrong tree but it's a relatively inexpensive area to explore and it's always handy having a spare hot water bottle!

 

[saddlesore]

Has anyone had a good look at her poll?

 

[Leam_Carrie]

Stretches before are just as important as after. Shoulder tightness can come from pain in the back sacroilliac /hind as well as a pinching saddle, so try and do a full body stretch before and after. Carrot stretches, ham string stretches (i liked to add in a little hamstring massage too) hand under the belly stretch, forelimb stretch and the butthole stretch im not sure how to describe that one other than that. You might want someone (equine touch or the like) to show you that one first lol

I’ll ask the physio to show me some stretches. Don’t think I’m brave enough to google butthole stretch...

 

[Equi]

Yeah maybe don't

However this website did come up lol

https://www.mctimoneyanimaltherapy....techniques-you-can-do-at-home-belly-stretches

 

[Leam_Carrie]

you can get those long hot water bottles (with a cover of course!) that might help to warm her muscles up before you ride, might help her prevent the hollow-ness if she's a bit sore or tense? of course I could be barking up the wrong tree but it's a relatively inexpensive area to explore and it's always handy having a spare hot water bottle!

I have one of those... she might like that.

 

[Leam_Carrie]

Has anyone had a good look at her poll?

Now you say that the physio said she was tight through her poll when she saw her. Osteopath didn’t think so, he was pleased with how much core strength she’s build up.

In the past she’s been tight through her poll. She finds it easier to pull herself along (half Cleveland bay and apparently the way they like to move) and I struggled to get her to change her way of going. Dressage coach suggested draw reins, which we then scrapped as it wasn’t her working properly. I then found a pro rider to school her, which worked much better.

 

[Frumpoon]

Do you mind me asking which pro rider?

There’s a phenomenal one in this area…and a few shockers…and everything 8n between

I’m sure you know but contact comes from behind..if she fussy in her mouth it may well relate to hind end issues

 

[Equi]

Ill admit im a little concerned about the amount of gadgets you have been advised to use on a horse thats struggling with tightness. You can't force relaxation and tight/forced muscles leads to pain. If shes fussy shes maybe just saying "work means i have to go go go because thats all i have ever been told" rather than relax into it.

 

[Leam_Carrie]

Do you mind me asking which pro rider?

There’s a phenomenal one in this area…and a few shockers…and everything 8n between

I’m sure you know but contact comes from behind..if she fussy in her mouth it may well relate to hind end issues

pro rider is great - was highly recommend by physio (who is also very well regarded). Dressage coach has been really impressed with the difference they’ve made. Horse has built core strength and is much more active behind, increasingly working properly. Any issues will be me

 

[Goldenstar]

Mouth opening can be a hydroid problem and that links all the way back to the back and hind end .

 

[Leam_Carrie]

Ill admit im a little concerned about the amount of gadgets you have been advised to use on a horse thats struggling with tightness. You can't force relaxation and tight/forced muscles leads to pain. If shes fussy shes maybe just saying "work means i have to go go go because thats all i have ever been told" rather than relax into it.

That’s probably me explaining badly. Draw reins were well over a year ago. The advice was to hack in them a couple of times a week. Realised then what the horse needed was a better rider to help re-educate her. Sorted poll tightness and she was going really well.

Side reins were 10 mins today, alongside stretching and pole work in hand. Lunging means her moving as she finds easier, on her forehand. I’m told this is a breed issue with the draft part of her heritage. I though side reins were the gentlest option (Pessoa and Bungy were mentioned).

 

[Frumpoon]

pro rider is great - was highly recommend by physio (who is also very well regarded). Dressage coach has been really impressed with the difference they’ve made. Horse has built core strength and is much more active behind, increasingly working properly. Any issues will be me

I actually don’t believe you are the problem

Pm me if you prefer

 

[saddlesore]

Now you say that the physio said she was tight through her poll when she saw her. Osteopath didn’t think so, he was pleased with how much core strength she’s build up.

In the past she’s been tight through her poll. She finds it easier to pull herself along (half Cleveland bay and apparently the way they like to move) and I struggled to get her to change her way of going. Dressage coach suggested draw reins, which we then scrapped as it wasn’t her working properly. I then found a pro rider to school her, which worked much better.

I’ve read recent studies (can’t cite sources sorry) that indicate poll tension causes headaches. Perhaps worth having the atlas area treated by a physio and getting a bridle fitting to see if a different headpiece would help?