Head down in canter - had me off - back person in Surrey?

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Lollydog

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Not sure if this is the right place to to ask. We had a bit of a disaster yesterday. I'm not overly confident, but was having a good day, so thought I'd have a little canter.

He's done this a few times - head went right down, between his legs, he stumbled, I went straight over his head. Sore back and achy shoulders this morning but nothing broken.

I'm guessing that he stretching his back, indicating a possible back problem?

Would you say a physio, chiropractor, or massage therapist to start? Ill also book the dentist and saddler too. I'd rather get everything ruled out before telling him off, as he is a great horse, not a bad bone in his body.
 
Probably start with the vet? You can't get a physio / chiro or anything else without vets permission anyway so they may as well be in it from the start. Its difficult to guess from the description what he is doing or why. Do you have an instructor or knowledgeable eyes on the ground to help?
 
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Shay said:
Probably start with the vet? You can't get a physio / chiro or anything else without vets permission anyway so they may as well be in it from the start. Its difficult to guess from the description what he is doing or why. Do you have an instructor or knowledgeable eyes on the ground to help?
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Really? I'm sure with my old horse we just had a physio out! Yep we have lessons every other week. She is due next weekend and has said she'll sit on him. I am fairly knowledgeable, been riding for 30 years, then had a break for 8 years. He's my first after my break.
 
When my horse did this it was fixed almost instantly by a wider saddle. He had the physio out too but he found no real issues with his back. Again this summer when he got a bit fatter he started to do it again, so adjusted saddle and he's back to normal.
 
Your physio - or any other practitioner - should always seek permission from your vet before treating. (S19 Vet Surgeons Act 1966) I have a regular physio for all mine (Holton Horse therapy if you are interested in a recommendation). She doesn't ask every time but she had to have permission to begin with. A new Chiro recently had in his T&C's that it was the owner's responsibility to advise the vet. Farriers don't have to as they have independent supervision and saddlers supply a product not treatment for the horse.

But I do accept it is probably a custom honoured more in the breach. However if, God forbid, something should go wrong it could impact your ability to claim on insurance or to seek redress in damages.

Edited to add - we are based in Surrey
 
Good saddlers are in high demand with long wait lists so I would book one now. Then it has to be a vet before you look at physio etc. This is when an experienced YO and friends are invaluable..between myself and my YO we could rule out most things that didn't need a vet.
 
Shay said:
Your physio - or any other practitioner - should always seek permission from your vet before treating. (S19 Vet Surgeons Act 1966) I have a regular physio for all mine (Holton Horse therapy if you are interested in a recommendation). She doesn't ask every time but she had to have permission to begin with. A new Chiro recently had in his T&C's that it was the owner's responsibility to advise the vet. Farriers don't have to as they have independent supervision and saddlers supply a product not treatment for the horse.

But I do accept it is probably a custom honoured more in the breach. However if, God forbid, something should go wrong it could impact your ability to claim on insurance or to seek redress in damages.

Edited to add - we are based in Surrey
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Thank you. Ive tried searching them, but website doesn't work. Where abouts in Surrey are they? We are near Reigate
 
equi said:
When my horse did this it was fixed almost instantly by a wider saddle. He had the physio out too but he found no real issues with his back. Again this summer when he got a bit fatter he started to do it again, so adjusted saddle and he's back to normal.
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Interesting. I did look at his saddle about a couple months ago and wondered if it was a bit tight, but wasn't having any problems at that point.
 
Luci07 said:
Good saddlers are in high demand with long wait lists so I would book one now. Then it has to be a vet before you look at physio etc. This is when an experienced YO and friends are invaluable..between myself and my YO we could rule out most things that didn't need a vet.
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Your not far from me, only a few miles if you know anyone that would come and look?
 
Does your horse also do this when cantering on the lunge?

I had this issue a few years back with my pony only in canter, he did it both ridden and on the lunge and it turned out he had an minor issue with one of his stifles, which was cured by three sessions of sports massage.

I would also recommend Rob Jackson (horseback vet) as others have said he does travel - I keep my horse in Bucks and we use him on the yard.
 
I'd get a physio check to rule out muscular problems, saddle fitter to check if saddle is pinching somewhere as well and one thing nobody has asked is how old is the horse? If still relatively green could even be a balance issue.
 
spike123 said:
I'd get a physio check to rule out muscular problems, saddle fitter to check if saddle is pinching somewhere as well and one thing nobody has asked is how old is the horse? If still relatively green could even be a balance issue.
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He's 5. Yep would agree he is out of balance. Only really stated proper work 2 months ago. Just hacked at weekends (by me) till I brought got him. I still think it wise to get checks done.
 
Lollydog said:
He's 5. Yep would agree he is out of balance. Only really stated proper work 2 months ago. Just hacked at weekends (by me) till I brought got him. I still think it wise to get checks done.
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It sounds like relatively normal behaviour for a green unbalanced 5 year old that has hardly done any work let alone much cantering, his saddle probably needs checking because he is likely to be changing shape but otherwise I would think he just needs some more work and educating in order to find his strength and balance, part of the riders job with a young horse is to help them learn how to balance with a rider on board something that does not come easily to every horse, if a trip causes you to fall off maybe some lessons would help you both.
 
be positive said:
It sounds like relatively normal behaviour for a green unbalanced 5 year old that has hardly done any work let alone much cantering, his saddle probably needs checking because he is likely to be changing shape but otherwise I would think he just needs some more work and educating in order to find his strength and balance, part of the riders job with a young horse is to help them learn how to balance with a rider on board something that does not come easily to every horse, if a trip causes you to fall off maybe some lessons would help you both.
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Exactly this. A gangly big 5yr old is probably only just working out himself about where to put his/her feet in canter and will be far slower to mature than a 5yr old of another breed. Cobs can also be pretty clumsy and unbalanced at 5. I'd get saddle and back checked for peace of mind and to rule out any possible potential issues but as far as working him goes. Keep the canter short and sweet behind another horse in a straight line and do lots of work on transitions in walk and trot til he feels stronger under saddle out hacking.
 
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