Girth problem!

[Kendall]

My young horse hates being brushed under his belly and around his girth area and having his girth done up? He lays his ears back and stamps his feet every time I go to brush it or do up his girth. However, I have noticed that when I tighten it in the school or outside to go on a hack he is fine and doesn't care. I am just not sure whether he is in pain or if he is just being moody and young or whether it is to do with it being winter? His last owner says he has always stamped his foot when his girth is done up but I feel it has gotten worse. Any ideas or suggestions?
Thank you

 

[dixie]

Sounds much like ulcers. If you watch this it may give you an idea
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr05hMmLCY4

What type of girth are you using as it maybe that a shaped girth or softer wool one might help but first rule out the above.

 

[Kendall]

Sounds much like ulcers. If you watch this it may give you an idea
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr05hMmLCY4

What type of girth are you using as it maybe that a shaped girth or softer wool one might help but first rule out the above.

Thank you, very good video! Will deffo try doing some of those ulcer palpation's on him tomorrow! He just has a generic synthetic girth.

 

[Thorwood]

I would definitely get him checked for ulcers. however it can be a learnt behaviour (potentially born out of pain / discomfort) so once ulcers have been confirmed and treated / ruled out try some positive reinforcement with brushing that area ... seems a shame for such a young horse to be 'angry' at being tacked up and brushed.

 

[supsup]

Could also be saddle fit. My horse showed me quite clearly when he wasn't happy with his saddle fit, and the the problem disappeared entirely (within a few days) when he had a properly fitting saddle on. And it reappeared immediately when I put his old saddle on once. The weird thing is, he'd had that saddle for a year without ever complaining, until my saddler pointed out the poor fit, and I rode him a few weeks bareback (waiting for a new saddle). After that break, he was very definite about liking or disliking the saddle on his back, stomping and swishing his tail.

It might help to figure out if you're dealing with a tack and/or ulcer problem if you try grooming and tacking up in places that he doesn't associate with being tacked up. If he doesn't respond to grooming in a new place, his usual reaction may be in anticipation of having the saddle on. Or if he doesn't respond to a surcingle, but does to the saddle, that would also be a fairly clear sign. And riding bareback for a bit might also shed some light.

 

[Achinghips]

As above, but check you're not girthing up too tightly. One of mine is similar and goes better in a prolite girth which distributes the pull over a wider surface area and is so also good for those suffering from ulcers. It can also be a learned behaviour so carry on desensitising him by rewarding when girthing? Hth.