Grunting

[cmurph175]

Hello. My horse is grunting when I dismount, why is she doing this? It worries me a bit. Saddle fit was checked and she doesn’t do this when I get on. She didn’t do it one time then did it again. Is it a habit?

 

[ycbm]

How do you dismount?
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[Baccara]

My horse did this, also when I did sitting trot. Hes been diagnosed with kissing spine.

 

[cmurph175]

How do you dismount?
.

I usually drop both stirrups and swing my leg over.

 

[cmurph175]

My horse did this, also when I did sitting trot. Hes been diagnosed with kissing spine.

She doesn’t do it when I sit the trot or canter, or when I get on. But I may have to get her checked.

 

[ycbm]

I usually drop both stirrups and swing my leg over.

Do you then jump down or slide down having the saddle take some or all of your weight?

Excuse the question but are you very heavy (I'm not asking if you are fat, just if you are heavy) ? Is it possible that your weight compresses her back down and as you get off it releases and causes pain?


If you have the funds I would have some tests done and possible back x rays. My friend had a horse who grunted her way downhill all the time. Then she took off the mare's shoes, and she stopped grunting. I would say that grunting in specific circumstances like that is often a pain response.

 

[cmurph175]

My horse is barefoot, and I’m not heavy but I do get off quite aggressively.

 

[HobleytheTB]

Have you ever tried dismounting on 'wrong' side and seeing if she still does it?

 

[ycbm]

....... I do get off quite aggressively.

What on earth does that mean?
.

 

[cmurph175]

I swing my leg over and can be rough when getting off. That’s what that means.

 

[cmurph175]

Have you ever tried dismounting on 'wrong' side and seeing if she still does it?

I tried that, she doesn’t do it. I am going to try chiropractic with her too.

 

[ycbm]

I swing my leg over and can be rough when getting off. That’s what that means.

What happens if you try not being rough? Are you pushing hard down on the pommel as you throw your leg back and over to vault off? That will make the points dig down into the shoulders and that could well be your/her problem.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I swing my leg over and can be rough when getting off. That’s what that means.

If you know you are being rough why do it?

 

[Red-1]

My horse is barefoot, and I’m not heavy but I do get off quite aggressively.

I swing my leg over and can be rough when getting off. That’s what that means.

If the horse is fine at all other times, then I think modifying your aggressive dismount so as you aren't rough when getting off would sort the matter.

I would personally look to the saddle fit and her musculature also though. Just because a not heavy person springing off should still be comfortable.

I wonder if she is frightened/startled by the aggressive, rough dismounting?

 

[cmurph175]

If the horse is fine at all other times, then I think modifying your aggressive dismount so as you aren't rough when getting off would sort the matter.

I would personally look to the saddle fit and her musculature also though. Just because a not heavy person springing off should still be comfortable.

I wonder if she is frightened/startled by the aggressive, rough dismounting?

Honestly, she may be startled and that could be an explanation. I will try my trainers way of getting off and see if that helps to keep from startling her/being too rough. I will also invest in chiropractic and a massage just in case she is sore.

 

[cmurph175]

What happens if you try not being rough? Are you pushing hard down on the pommel as you throw your leg back and over to vault off? That will make the points dig down into the shoulders and that could well be your/her problem.

Yep, exactly what I’m doing. It’s a bad habit for me because I didn’t have the best trainer when I was younger, lol. But I will stop doing it, I am going to dismount my trainers way.

 

[cmurph175]

If you know you are being rough why do it?

It was just how I was trained when I was younger, very bad habit and sometimes I don’t think until after I dismount. I will start dismounting my trainers way.

 

[ycbm]

Yep, exactly what I’m doing. It’s a bad habit for me because I didn’t have the best trainer when I was younger, lol. But I will stop doing it, I am going to dismount my trainers way.

I think this is wise, I suspect your issue is pushing the pommel down and points into her shoulders as you get off. I think we'd all grunt under those circumstances.