Fat under the skin causing problem

[SueAllen]

Has anyone heard of a problem being caused with sensitive skinned horses having fat stored under the skin making saddling/girthing/mounting uncomfortable. My friend's trainer used this theory to explain why her usually placid mare had a bucking fit after saddling and my gelding annually bucks me off, usually when he has been on a lot of good grass. He has been difficult to mount recently and he is fatter than I would like him and does have sensitive skin. It would explain his annual bucking fit cos nothing else really can. It makes sense to me but I wonder if anyone else had heard of it?

 

[kerilli]

never heard of that. i've always thought it was because the skin's softened up with not having a girth on it for ages.

 

[Kallibear]

Nope, never heard of it. I'd think it's more likely that him putting weight on has made his saddle too narrow.