How do you test your horse's back for soreness?

Oh fixing an argument with my friend. She runs her finger nail along the top of the back about 2-3'' down from the spine, her horses back twitches so she has stopped riding him as says he is sore. I just wasn't so sure as i'm sure i'd twitch if someone ran their nail down my back, her argument being that he doesn't react to it anywhere else... Just wondering how other people check their horses back....
fyi she is getting physio and saddler out to check him.
 
I know lots of people do that. Tbh I don't ever want their backs to get bad enough to be flinching and I certainly wouldn't want to miss anything because I'm not qualified so mine get seen every 6-8 weeks
 
i usually run my thumb and finger about 2 inches either side of the spine and if the horse dips away i do it again and try to localise the spot where she dipped, but quite often horses dont show signs of slight pain so it has to be really quite sore for them to react IME. I dont use my nails but just apply enough pressure for there to be friction. But if your really in doubt get the vet/ physio out.
 
That doesn't show a bad back. That's like someone running their finger/nail down the side of your spine you automatically flinch away from it
 
Well this is it I have heard of the ligament thing, where if you press it it automatically causes twitching and pain like responce?

I'm terrible with backs and live in fear of causing my horse to have a bad back, he has the physio and saddler out every 12-14 weeks atm with him only being 4 and changing lots.

How would you gauge back pain m_g?
 
Bad back, soreness.....COULD present by showing "naughty" behaviour. Bucking and napping are typical bad back responses.
Others may appear unbalanced and unwilling to say.....jump/canter.
Each horse is different, but IF you know your horse well, and it shows something "out the ordinary" then you will know something needs checking out.
 
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