Hello and HELP!!

Where is the back clinic? Might be a good idea to take him along if it is close and free too see what everyone has to say about your boy :) if it costs I'd be tempted to hang onto the cash for the saddle fitter :)

Make sure you keep us updated, and post pictures of your boy, I think you might have won yourself a few honory 'Mummys' on this site now who would love to be kept informed and see how you get on :D
 
You are recognising a problem, you are trying to do the right, andante best thing by him, and you care for him as a horse, not as a possession put there for your enjoyment at his expense. You also show a real willingness, and motivation to learn more, in my book that makes you a good horse person!

Getting too used to seeing people ignore their horses needs because it is inconvenient, and assuming they know everything about everything just because they can stay on a horse whilst jumping one single jump at the top ofnthe wings height!

I bet your horse loves you for it too!
 
The back clinic is literally a 5 minute walk away from me, I'm not sure about the price, but I can't see it being expensive, maybe £10/£15 - I might ask my mum for a loan for that :o or just ask for a few hours extra work :)
I will definatley bombard you all with pictures but at the moment I only have ones from when I got him, when he still has his winter coat and is a bit skinny but I promise you pictures are on the way; he doesn't have the best conformation, but I love him all the same!
Thankyou though, I feel really happy I've spoken/typed to you all, its helped me and my horse!
I honestly don't think I have done anything good, quite the opposite really, I continued trying to ride him when he's quite obviously in pain, or anticipating pain, when I should have sorted it out my getting proffessional help there and then
I understand what your saying about riders think they know everything because they can jump high, it happens all the time at local competitions!

Thanks for the compliments, and the advice :) I've took it all onboard; promise!
 
jhoward said:
nothing to add on advice, but can i just say how refreshing it is to read from a younger member that is taking so much responsibilty for their horse, and getting a good out come. keep on kid your going to end up a fine horse woman! :):):)
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wooo, go teenagers :)
 
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Has your horse been seen by a vet regarding these problems? I assume he was not vetted otherwise the age difference would have come up (what does his passport say regarding his age? Does he have the correct papers?), but you don't mention whether he has been checked over by the vet since the back problems started (apologies if you covered this and I missed it).

If he were mine I would start with the vet and then go from there because without a diagnosis you could be spending your money on all sorts of things without solving the problem. Having said that, all saddles should be checked every 6 months even if there are no other signs of trouble.

Once you have any possible pain issues sorted, I think you need to have a very serious think about this horse. Would you ever have bought a barely backed 3/4 year old as a first horse? If the answer is no and you don't have the option of sending him to be professionally started, I think you need to think very seriously about whether this is the right horse for you. I am sorry if I sound negative, I don't mean to be, you sound like a very responsible, caring owner who is trying to do all the right things. However, it still seems to me that very young horse, young rider and limited support could be problematic and you could end up losing your (and his) confidence.

Best of luck whatever you decide to do.
 
No, he hasn't seen a vet. I probably should have got him checked but I didn't.
No, he wasn't vetted, my farrier came and had a look at him with me, he's the most experianced horsey person I know. His papers are correct now but they weren't originally, its a long drawn out story.
I understand what you are saying about him being young, I really do, but I would rather never ride again than sell my horse. We might not be a likely pair for success, and I have no doubt that we will encounter lots of more issues but I'm confident we can work through them, with help. When I first got him he was skin and bones. He desperatley needed worming. He was a nightmare to bridle (he'd been ear twitched in the past) and time after time I ended up getting thrown around the stable, but we worked through it, and he now lowers his head and opens his mouth for the bit. He wouldn't let anyone touch his legs, never mind pick his feet out but with the help of a glove on a stick we've solved that issue. I truly understand that he deserves an experienced home etc but I'm too selfish to give him up, he's put up with me when I've made so many mistakes and I honestly can't tell you how much I love him. He is my life. I go to school, I go to work to pay for him. I go to the yard and spend all my time with him. I know I sound sad, I am, but I won't give up on him, even if I have to save every penny I have to get proffessional help I'll do it.
You don't sound negative, I understand, I've often had the same thoughts myself but when I see how far we've come, I wanna see much futher we can go, and if I mess it all up, you can always say " I told you so" :p
Thank you :), I will bear it in mind
 
You are fantastic but please stay safe. There will always be other horses no matter what you think now so don't be afraid to throw in the towel with him. He wasn't the horse the sellers led you to believe. Happy Birthday.
 
Thank you, I suppose your right, but he is truly amazing. He is as good as gold, I longreined him tonight, he is so responsive. Rarely spooks, is a dream to handle, and its not like he's being naughty in any way shape or form. Thankyou though :)
 
I think you'll get there with him, but I am concerned that he will be expensive for you.

FingersCrossed said:
We might not be a likely pair for success, and I have no doubt that we will encounter lots of more issues but I'm confident we can work through them, with help.
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I'm confident you'll get there too, but if you're having to ask your parents for a £10-15 loan, how are you going to afford to have his teeth done? Not to mention vaccinations, saddler, see the vet in an emergency, and afford to employ the help you really need with him, as a lesson once a week isn't going to be enough for re-backing a young horse. What if something big happens, or comes to the surface that you didn't know about, is he insured? Please don't take this as criticism, I am just concerned about your ability to be able to afford what you really need, because doing it on the cheap is dangerous for both you and your horse :(

If the farrier you took with you missed his age I must say I'd think again about who you take advice from, as the difference between 3 and 8 is massive and the clues should have all been there, especially if he looked in his mouth. Please don't take that as a criticism, you took advice and bought him in good faith but I'm a bit concerned that you now get help from good reliable sources. Someone who is BHS qualified is a good start :) Is your instructor definately BHS AI or above? Wouldn't hurt to find that out, as that *should* mean they are qualified to the same standard or above.

If the farrier didn't identify his age, and the vet hasn't been out then who did, and are they reliable? I would definately get the vet out now, and get him to give the horse a once over, and he can advise you on the basic regime you should have your horse on (worming, dentist, farrier, feeding etc) if you are unsure about any of it. To be honest for now I'd save the money on the back clinic and just see the vet, who will check back, teeth and anything else.

:)
 
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The equine dentist came out to check his teeth and aged him at the same time.
My plan of action is to get the vet out, then saddle fitter, then an instructor.
His feeding regime is fine, he's doing well on the feed he gets and he is wormed every three months with equest and equest pramox, I have a worming programme organised :)
Thanks for all your help, I'll update you with what the vet says :)
 
cuppatea said:
Sorry, ive not read the other replys to your thread and have no advice to give, i just wanted to say

What a MARVELOUS day to have a birthday!!;):D:D:D
Its the best day of the year for one, all the very very best people are born on that day!;););)
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I have to agree with that one!! :D:D:D:D:D
 
horserider said:
Here is a the list of saddlers from the Master saddlers org, http://www.mastersaddlers.co.uk/

Do get him checked as this sounds very much like your first port of call. Quite agree that you should get a fully trained saddler as opposed to someone who just fits saddles. Your saddle may just need a small adjustment or reflocking, it may not be a big expense at all.
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Good advice from Horserider, Oz :)
 
Hello :-)

Loads of good advice. Your Horse looks lovely! One thing that concerns me, you say that a physio checked your Horse but a vet hasn't been to see him? No alternative therapist should treat your Horse without your vet's permission and a genuine one will know that, and ask if you have said permission. Did this physio ask you that? I only ask as having been through 'back issues' with two Horses I know that some physio's are much better than others. I will also add that I highly recommend equine bowen therapy. Both Horses I mention had this and both times it solved the issues, physio did not. As for vet permission most will give this over the phone if they know the therapist, but, your vet should really check the Horse first. Both times I had this done, and with one of the Horses she was even referred to a vet hospital who could find nothing - but the Bowen therapist did. I do rate physio (I use one routinely) as well but just relating my experience.

Now, next question, is he insured? Sorry if you have said this already. Reason I ask is that insurance normally covers alternative therapies IF your vet advises them (and for back issues they generally do).

As for saddle fitters, I think you need to tell us what area you live in. Yes qualifications are important, but so is (again from prior problems) recommendation. So, tell us what area you are in and hopefully someone from around there will advise and help you narrow it down from the SMS list.

I would highly suspect the issues are stemming from saddle fit and subsequent muscle pain. It's amazing how long a Horse will put up with it and then they can often suddenly throw in the towel and say 'no'. Given he is so good with everything else it's almost certain. My own Horse I treated to a new saddle last year. It was made to measure and cost a fortune. Initially he went really well, then, one day he went to bite me when I tacked up. This was totally out of character. When I had his back treated the areas of inflammation were awful. I had my own doubts about the saddle fit, I should have listened to them. I got a new version of what I used to have and one ride later he was back to his old self.

If he's only 4, he will be changing shape a lot so again, likely to be the cause. Of course, it could be something else like an injury. Even simply rolling over a stone. I highly doubt it would be a saddle pad. Polypads are thick so if the saddle is too narrow (more likely than too wide) it will have made the problem worse.

My advise would be vet first, then a recommended by your vet bowen / physio / chiro and finally saddle fitter. There's no point getting a saddle to fit and putting it on a sore back. You need to fix the back first then fit the saddle. I'm very lucky in that my saddle fitter also does bowen so saves a lot of money.

You sound like a brilliant owner and your Horse is lucky to have you. Sorry if I've made it sound expensive but it's the only way to get to the root of the problem. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
Just a real quick reply- saw in soapbx you said you're in lancs. A recommendation for Keith from 'L For Leather' saddle fitter. He was absolutely fab for my boy, who has back issues. He's pretty reasonable i think he charges 35 pound for a fitting, hes based in Manchester but travels quite far and wide.

Im in the north west too, if you need any help feel free to pm me. For what its worth I think you sound like you are doing everything right, getting advice, learning and educating yourself. Not everyone has lots of money, yes horses are expensive and ideally you should have an emergency fund of 'just in case' money, but you sound pretty sorted and dedicated which is important too.


good luck i wish you all the best- keep us updated!

xxx
 
Thankyou :) no, the physio didn't ask me if a vet had been to see him or anything of the sort, and I didn't realise a vet needed to refer you to one. I will definately get the vet out to look at his back and then go from there :)

BlairandAriza - thankyou for the reccomendation, I'll definatley give him a call once I've had the vet out :). Where abouts in the north west are you? :)
 
suzysparkle said:
Hello :-)


As for saddle fitters, I think you need to tell us what area you live in. Yes qualifications are important, but so is (again from prior problems) recommendation. So, tell us what area you are in and hopefully someone from around there will advise and help you narrow it down from the SMS list.

I would highly suspect the issues are stemming from saddle fit and subsequent muscle pain. It's amazing how long a Horse will put up with it and then they can often suddenly throw in the towel and say 'no'. Given he is so good with everything else it's almost certain. My own Horse I treated to a new saddle last year. It was made to measure and cost a fortune. Initially he went really well, then, one day he went to bite me when I tacked up. This was totally out of character. When I had his back treated the areas of inflammation were awful. I had my own doubts about the saddle fit, I should have listened to them. I got a new version of what I used to have and one ride later he was back to his old self.

If he's only 4, he will be changing shape a lot so again, likely to be the cause. Of course, it could be something else like an injury. Even simply rolling over a stone. I highly doubt it would be a saddle pad. Polypads are thick so if the saddle is too narrow (more likely than too wide) it will have made the problem worse.
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Totally agree.

Make sure you get a good saddle fitter, my mare was checked few months back and i was told the saddle was fine, week ago i got the vet as i suspected back probs as mare not happy being ridden. Turns out the saddle has caused alot of muscle tenderness where its been ill fitting :( mare has to have 2 weeks off work. I have a saddler coming out soon to fit her with a new saddle, this saddler comes highley recommended by my vet. Mare is alot better now, her back is not as tender.
It maybe worth asking your vet if they know of any good saddlers :) just a thought
 
FingersCrossed said:
The equine dentist came out to check his teeth and aged him at the same time.
My plan of action is to get the vet out, then saddle fitter, then an instructor.
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Sounds like a very sensible plan and I am sure you'll have any possible back problems sorted out in no time. Unfortunately backs and saddles are pretty much a constant headache!

Keep us updated with your progress!
 
Have you thought about clicker training?

I am not a 'clicker training' fanatic, but I really think it might make the re-backing, etc easier for your horse .... It's cheap and it is also enormous fun.

When you come to leaning over the horse, etc as a prelude to backing, it will really help the horse to understand what you want and reward her for even the tiniest bit of effort and help her confidence. It is also something you can do instead of ridden work to get them thinking.

Alexander Kirkland wrote a very good book. really worth a try, very little to loose - except a few carrots!!!
 
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