Girth sensitive horse.

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GeeBee45

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I'm looking for a few ideas as to what could be troubling my 17 year old IDX mare.

Had her for just under a year and she hasn't put a foot wrong, could be described as so laid back she's asleep most of the time. She does have a bit of an issue with her bridle or fly mask being put on, but that isn't the problem here.

Until about 2 weekends ago she was fine having her saddle put on and the girth tightened. Then we had quite a busy morning on the yard, during which she was having her saddle fit checked. Described as a really good fit by somebody I trust to know what they're talking about. However, Bertha was really 'twitchy' about having saddle put on and girth tightened. She has continued to be uncomfortable about the process since. She raises her head, tries to step away, fidgets and blows her self out. After a few minute she'll relax a bit but will immediately tense up if you touch her girth again. I can get on her and adjust the girth whilst mounted and she doesn't appear to bother, just goes back to her normal self.

Nothing has changed in this time; same saddle, girth and numnah. Same diet, field companions and exercise regime. I haven't put on any weight. Cannot find any signs of injury and she's quite happy for me to groom her and rub her saddle / girth area.

So, I'm stumped as to what the possible cause is, anybody out there got any ideas?
 
Have you had a professional saddle fitter out? No offence intended to your friend of course, I'm sure their judgement is excellent, but a trained saddle fitter might have a better eye/feel for these things.

Also, have you had her checked out by a physio/chiro/osteo or similar?

My boy is TERRIBLE for being girthed. Stems from when he had a saddle that became poorly fitting about 3 years ago. I'm still working at getting him better at being girthed now!

I would suggest you have her back/saddle/teeth checked by professionals to rule out pain. If they say she is fine, it's likely to be a learned response, in which case you will have to do the very boring and slow "saddle rehabilitation" process of putting a numnah on, taking it off, putting a saddle on (no girth), taking it off & finally putting the saddle on, with a girth and taking it off again, several times a day till she just gets bored.

It might be worth investing in a "humane girth" as well - I find this really helps my boy as I can put it on really loose and walk him around a bit before tightening it.
 
If it is not caused by saddle, sensitive skin etc have you ruled out that it is not linked to her being in season. Perhaps an ovary problem is causing discomfort when she is sat on.
 
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