Horse won’t trot!

[sbloom]

That makes it sound like the saddle with weight on it is causing the problem. I would get a 2nd opinion on the saddle.

Not necessarily from this fitter's perspective, rider's weight is significant in itself. And imagine that the horse has been in compensation, this causes so many issues eg the saddle dropping in front. The fitter could come out and add flocking at the front to rebalance but the underlying cause is still there. It might be saddle but the evidence is far from conclusive.

 

[Starzaan]

Sounds like pain to me. Is he fed from a haynet? I would have him scoped, have his saddle checked, and get a proper veterinary physio to look at his back. If he eats from a haynet he will almost certainly have SI pain, and a saddle that isn't fitting perfectly will only serve to exacerbate the problem.

 

[littlelessbloom]

He does eat from a haynet - why does this mean he almost certainly will have SI pain?

 

[Starzaan]

He does eat from a haynet - why does this mean he almost certainly will have SI pain?

I work in equine rehab, and take in a lot of horses. The vast majority of horses who eat from a haynet will have SI pain and issues due to the unnatural strain of this position and the repetitive movement. Haynets are banned on my yard as a result for anything other than travelling. It's staggering how many horses come to me with problems caused initially just by eating from haynets.

 

[ycbm]

He will trot in the field, on the lunge with and without tack, in the long reins with and without tack, in-hand with and without tack. This was my friend’s reasoning for checking for ulcers as it’s when my leg goes on that he reacts

Quite possibly, but what has caused the ulcers in a horse with an ulcer friendly lifestyle? Its usually pain.
.

 

[Mrs C]

I'd agree SI issue. If you can, have a sit with no saddle and see how he feels. If ok, saddle, if not, I'd say SI or poss back like KS

 

[throwaway2022]

I work in equine rehab, and take in a lot of horses. The vast majority of horses who eat from a haynet will have SI pain and issues due to the unnatural strain of this position and the repetitive movement. Haynets are banned on my yard as a result for anything other than travelling. It's staggering how many horses come to me with problems caused initially just by eating from haynets.

Oh crikey. I knew it wasn’t ideal but after reading this I need to change management. Can I ask how you feed good doers please? Easigrazer type option?

 

[Starzaan]

Oh crikey. I knew it wasn’t ideal but after reading this I need to change management. Can I ask how you feed good doers please? Easigrazer type option?

I have honestly found that the vast majority of horses will self regulate after a couple of days if they are on ad lib forage.
Even rehabs that come to me with metabolic issues are never ever left without forage. Often that is soaked hay or Timothy haylage mixed with straw, but it means they never stand without. The very rare horses who genuinely need it have something like the Haygain Forager to slow them down.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

You want the saddle to be checked, you want the previous owners to come see him, you're feeling his legs several times day, I cannot understand why you haven't had a vet out to examine him. Everything points to a pain issue & the only one who can help you sort that out is a vet. All the other things are a waste of time until you've ruled out the source of the pain. You admit that he has problems when someone is on his back so that is probably where the pain comes from but either way yo need a professional to sort him out. CALL OUT A VET!