help - back problem? Long, but worried.

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Rocky715

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I am really quite worried - I have the back specialist coming out tomorrow but don't really know what to expect. I just wondered if I posted his "symptoms" that some of you may have experienced similar and could suggest what you think may be the problem...just to give me some heads up as to what tomorrow might entail? Good luck if you get to the end...!

2 and a 1/2 weeks ago on Saturday 22nd Nov I had Rocky freezemarked, he had the required 4 days off and then I had my lesson as normal on the 6th day and he went the best he has ever gone, he was fantastic... leg yielding, lengthening and shortening etc etc.

On the 7th day we went for a gentle hack around the village and I carried on as normal with riding and schooling each day after that.

On Wednesday 3rd December I saddled up as normal to do some schooling - he did flick his ears a teeny bit when i did the girth up which wasn't normal. I got on, and in walk and trot he was kicking out a bit with back legs. So i jumped straight off and lunged him without the saddle and he was still bad.

I wondered if he had been hooning in the field and was stiff, so I cooled him off and let him be. On Thursday I tried again. I lunged both with and without the saddle but he wasnt right. His back definitely didnt feel tender when I touched it... I rubbed my hands all over the freezemark.

I spoke to my instructor and the vet over the phone who both suggested to give him 5 or so days off as the freezemark may have flared up. So.. I gave him the days off but have been having a feel of his back each day to see if it is tender. He hasnt reacted.

Last night I lunged again (without saddle) and honestly you have never seen anything like it - he was leaping about, bucking, kicking, snorting etc. Now - this is not normal for Rocky... he is the quietest gentlest horse. So once he calmed down I cooled him off and looked at his back again. I ran my hand down his spine, I dont know the proper name for where I meaning but once I got to the middle of his back, above the end of the freezemarked clipped area (i.e. back of saddle) - he moved away from me as though it hurt. I will stick a picture on the bottom of this thread to show where i mean. The more I felt his spine the more he was reacting.

I have called the back lady and she is coming out tomorrow. I am a little worried as I don't know if its a saddle problem, a spinal problem, a muscular problem?? I didn't know if anybody recognised what I have described and could suggest anything?

Thank you if you read this.


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Hi, do you use a front riser pad under his saddle? if so, it could be causing undue pressure at the back of his saddle area. I would also get a saddle fitter out, just as a matter of course too.

Hope this helps?
 
Have you by any chance started using a front riser pad? It sounds as if the back of the saddle is digging in his back by his loins due to it being unbalanced on his back - a front riser pad will do what it says on the tin and rise the front of the saddle off the withers, but it will inevitably transfer the weight of the rider onto the back of the saddle. The reason I ask - this was a lesson I learnt the hard way, when buying a 'will fit anything Wintec Saddle' for my horse who had very high withers and I needed a riser pad to raise the pommel off his withers. I can't possibly see how it can be the freezemark. I have had all six of my horses freezemarked within a fortnight of owning them and never had any problem with freezemarks apart from in nearly every horse the last letter/number not coming through white at all or only half of it showing.
 
Front riser pad ....Wow great minds think a like. But at the same time - what a coincidence?! I do think it might be that though.
 
i have a well fitted leather saddle..... it was only refitted to him about a month or so ago and i just wear a simple numnah on him so I am not convinced it can be that.
after i have got the chiro out I will get his saddle checked again just to be sure.

thanks for this idea though, i appreciate it!!!
 
May i first just say your horsey is a cutie. Hmm sounds like he may have a back problem, This may have been caused by the freezemark, which was painful and he held his muscles down his back slightly differently for a few days and then when you rode him doing all the lateral and extension work, this muscle could of gone into spasm. If it has this would explain this behavior. Try giving him bute and see what happens, just for like a day, but hopefully the back lady will tell you if he is tight any where.
 
i had not dis simmilar problem mine had been going welland jumping amazingly. then suddenly started bucking loads in canter (well it wasn't really canter more bunny hops) but was only doing it on the right rein.i proded allher back without reaction. i have only had her a year and shehas never bucked in this time. had chat with vet who suggested physio turned out she was very tightin her neck and couldn't really bend prop which explained always losing the 1/4's on turns and was also very tight and locked up in the lumber region (just behind were u indicated) this was causing her bucking she felt these were long standing issues (poor horse!) and thatthey had just come to a head as she could no long compensate for all the different problems. after one session no bucking after the second much better movement in front (nver knew my horse moved like that!) have our last visit nxt wk so who knows wot will happen. but its the best thing i could have done for her so gd luck
 
for those who are interested the back lady came and said his back was out from above the freezemark right back to his pelvis. she worked on him for a while and I have to try walking and trotting him on Saturday on the lunge to see how he reacts. so fingers crossed
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xx
 
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