Dips in horse's back where the saddle sits

[LIBELULA]

Hello (this is my first post so i hope i'm doing it right!)
I bought my horse 2 years ago as a 5 year old (Andalucian) at which time she had 2 small intentations where the saddle panels would sit (not behind the shoulder blde but further back). She had a 5* vetting and the vet didn't make any reference to the dips. i spent about 3 months lunging her without sitting on her in the hope the dips would go they didn't. She has her saddle checked every 6 months (and i have resently bought a Bates isabel we previously had an Albion) she has a monthly massage from a physio and i put an equisage pad on her back at least once a week. Every vet who has ever looked at her (injesctions etc) has been quized by me regarding these dips (which i think have deepened slightly) the responce has always been fairly non commital "it's a compression of the fat" being the most common. My vet suggested i could try a "bute" test which i have and her way of going and attitude did not show any signs of difference.
we have weekly lessons from a list one dressage judge and although she is not an extravagant mover she works reasonably well. has anyone else's horse got these dips and if so were you able to get rid of them? How? Next week my vet has offered to scan her back to see if this will give us any idea whether this a fat or a muscle issue. He doesn't think i should worry about it and is really just curious to see what the ultra sound will show. i'm worried i'm going to have problems in the future.

 

[be positive]

I have had horses come into the yard with dips as you describe, they have been greatly improved by correct work, a change of saddle and regular physio.

Your physio should be able to help with a range of exercises, tummy lifts, stretches to help plus getting her to work really lifting her back under the saddle and using the area that is currently not working properly, if it was there would be no dips. Raised poles are useful, working long and low ridden and doing plenty of quality work on the ground.
If it is fatty deposits rather than muscle getting her weight down, if she is at all tubby, may help as will all the other suggestions above.

 

[LIBELULA]

Hi thanks for responding. How long did it take for dips in the backs of the horses on your yard to improve? i had hoped the change of saddle would show some improvement but so far it hasn't (i've had it about 3 months)
I'm never going to be called up to ride for England but I'm confident she is working correctly as i have a very good trainer who inturn has regular training sessions with a top international trainer with a strong emphesis on correct classical rather than competition riding. I school about 3 times a week including our 45min lesson. when schooling i warm up in walk for 10mins then work long and low for a further 15. I work over raised poles about once every 10-14 days.

 

[be positive]

Its sounds as if you are working along the right lines, has your physio seen the saddle? it may help if it has some soft padding under it to absorb the movement and help the dipped area get more stimulation which should encourage it to improve but this would need to be done by a professional rather than just putting something on him as it may affect the rest of the saddle fit and cause other problems.

Time wise they varied depending on how bad they were, one was within a few weeks another never fully went but that was partly due to it being a childs pony so not very consistent in its work.

I would consider a different physio if the one you use has not offered much advice, I am sure he is young enough to make significant improvement with the correct help.

 

[Piglet]

My Luso x Welsh has a dipped back, am really conscious and paranoid about it!! He is very hard to fit a saddle to and I am worried his ridden career will not last as long as a horse with a straight back. He is now 15 and has a McTimnoey practitioner every 3 months, I also use a Heather Moffet saddle which is light and doesn't restrict the shoulder movement, so far so good, I keep my fingers crossed that it won't get any worse!!!!

 

[LIBELULA]

hi Piglet it's interesting that your horse also has Iberian blood i wonder if this is something related to certain breeds. Saying that though i think your concern may be a bit different from mine? Although my mare does have more of a dipped than a straight back the "dips" I am referring to are 2 little shallow indentations either side of her spine each of about 4" in diameter.
I was amazed when my vet said that although he had seen dents like this in horses before no one had ever asked him about why they were there and he couldn't say for certain it was fat compression rather than muscle atrophy. We are going to Ultra sound her on Thursday to see if this gives us any answer.