drops her back when you get on

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orkanmylove

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I am posting on behalf of a friend she has a mare 15yrs old when you get on she drops her back down for two strides then she is fine had back etc checked all ok.not sure why does anyone have any ideas how ever small.
 
Our horse does this when you get on and walk forward. He had a sacroliliac injury (now healed) but is still building up muscle behind so is weak when you get on. Its improving as he builds up.
 
My mare did this, she was slightly cold backed, i used to sit v lightly/not sit for the 1st few minutes when i got on.
 
Thanks for that will let her know i said i thought maybe she was slightly cold backed but i must admit i thought they put there backs up not down if cold back. its strange as she does not do it all the time from what she has told me if she is tacked up at home and boxed out she does it less which makes sense now if cold backed.
 
Angel is very, very slightly cold backed and you're right orkan35, you can feel her back round up underneath you if you don't sit very quietly and leave her alone for a minute. I'm sure I've read of very cold backed neds collapsing to the ground so I suppose anything goes, as Bean88 says.
 
If any physical problems are ruled out it is probably cold backed like others said. I have a mare who is cold backed and having issues - has helped me to warm her up before even tacking up (e.g. walk her around, horse walker or warm up on the lunge) then I would tack up and ride and it seems to reduce the reaction.
 
It is wrong just to lable a horse as cold backed. A horse exhibits a cold backed reaction for a reason. It may be tense in the muscles caused by either a physical problem or an emotional response such as anxiety. Veterinary equipment only availabe at the University Vet. centres may be needed to determine physical problems. It could also be hind limb problems. Also consider saddle fitting problems. If all physical reasons are ruled out it is emotional. Natural horsemanship should help with issues of anxiety and trust.
 
Hiya mal - I think people understand that there is always a cause behind being "cold backed", like there's always a cause behing wind galls or rain scald. It's a useful shorthand expression for exactly what you have said. Angel exhibits a tiny bit of back arching when you first mount her because she is 12 and had been used as a foal machine (we think) before she was rescued. Even though she was backed with the utmost care and consideration, for the first few months she needed time to think about that weight on her back and remember that it means no harm. As her education has continued, I'm pleased to say she doesn't do it any more, which fits exactly with what you advised x
 
I'm really pleased for you and you are obviously doing all the right things for your horse. I had a similar problem with mine and got fed up of people saying "oh, he's just cold backed". His reaction was quite violent and quite unnerving. I think he had been broken very quickly to sell and had worn a saddle which didn't fit properly. He had no confidence and was quite nervous. I have worked really hard with him and think now he is getting over his bad experiences. Fingers crossed. I think its really sad for those who have been wrongly treated. These are the ones who often end up in the sales through no fault of their own. Good luck x
 
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