Help! Coldbacked?

B

blackhorse37

Well-Known Member
Joined
30 August 2010
Messages
232
Location
East sussex
Visit site
My 16.3 ISH, 5yo has always been a bit tricky to girth, if i dont do it gradually he will groan and dip, but now, as soon as i get on he does a mini rodeo and is extremely tense through his back. (i have had his saddle, back and teeth checked) After about 5-10 mins he is his normal relaxed self again! I have tried massaging his back and tackin up 10 mins before i mount and it helps a little, i have also tried walking him in hand first. If he is ridden every day then he doesnt react but if he has had a day or 2 off its much worse.This only started in late autumn, initially i thought it was excitement so i tried change of feed and calmers but his general character hasnt changed so i doubt this. So;four questions...1-is it possible for a horse to suddenly become coldbacked? 2-what else could this be? 3-any ideas on what else i can do/whats helped your horse?
I would really appreciate any help on this! Thank you
 
1. I don't see it as suddenly becoming cold backed. Sounds to me as if he's had this on maybe a lower level all along. 2. What else could it be - well, you say you've had his saddle checked but 5yr olds are still growing and he could have changed shape making the saddle uncomfortable for him. It might be worth trying a very thick sheepskin numnah under the saddle - not as a permanent solution but to see if he's happier without the saddle pressing on him. Or you could borrow a gel pad for the same thing. You could also ride him carefully bareback, same reason. 3. Cold backed horses often need a few minutes to themselves after the rider hopping on. Try staying in a forward or jumping seat until he's settled so you take your weight off his back. Cold backed is an unhelpful name for this problem in my opinion. It doesn't actually mean your horse's back is cold, just that weights on his back bother him until his muscles are a little looser. Don't forget that at 5yrs old he's still not much more than a baby and his body will be changing all the time. Worth being extra thoughtful with him for the next year while he settles into being a riding horse.
 
There will be a management routine for you both - its just a matter of finding it!

I had a cold backed cob which you either had to ride every day or lunge quite seriously beforehand and then it was controllable. I also wondered whether an equilibrium pad might help? It might not, but if his back is a bit achy then he might really appreciate it anyway?

Good luck.
 
If this started in the autumn, could he actually be cold? Have you tried putting on an exercise sheet to start off with?
 
2. It could be kidney failure. It is rare, but mine was cold backed for the first 5 - 10 minutes for 2 years before I got a diagnosis. He was always worse in cold weather. I would test him for kidney function just in case.

It could be that your saddle is cold. I cured this in one of my horses by selling him to Tenerife. A little extreme maybe :) ? But try a hot water bottle on it before you use it, and a wool numnah.

He might have ulcers - the girthiness is symptomatic and the reluctance to move off quietly is the stomach acid slopping into sore areas in the stomach. You can try ranitidine from Tesco, a whole pack in 2, 3, or 4 doses a day for a few days. If that makes him better, you would have an indication that it is ulcers and can talk to your vet about getting a proper diagnosis and treating them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top