'Diamond' shaped swelling on back? *pic*

[Governor]

I had a bit of trouble getting a correct right bend when I schooled G last night but after a bit of coaxing he was working much better. When I took his rug off today he's got a 'diamond' shaped swelling near his spine on the near side which is quite tender to the touch (as is the general area, but not as much on the off side).

I double checked his feed bag as i've been introducing a new feed and it is barley free so its not a reaction (looks almost similar to allergy lumps he's had before). I wouldn't have thought it would be his saddle as I had that checked and flocked in December, I cleaned it this morning and the panels look fine and it sits well on his back, he also saw a chiro in November. Any suggestions?

 

[flowerlady]

Do you wear a numnah? Could it have been ruched up under the saddle in that area without you knowing?

 

[Governor]

I don't, he does!

No I use saddlecloths but they're the stiff German kind and they really don't move.

 

[madhector]

J got a similar lump, and turned out to be an infected sweat gland. I hibiscrubed his back after exersise and used a clean numnah and it went.

 

[S_N]

Was something perhaps caught between the saddlecloth/numnah and him? Is it a bite?

 

[Governor]

I wouldn't have thought it was a bite as the area hardly exposed at all today or yesterday - though of course it could be a mite/flea type thing.

I rotate my saddlecloths and keep them really clean so I don't think that caused it. I curried and brushed G before tacking him up yesterday so no mud or anything.

madhector - Thanks, I think it may well be the same thing. He was VERY sweaty after schooling last night particularly his back and neck. I used some Winter Wash and wiped him off but I suppose the wash could have gotten into open pores and caused a bit of an infection.