How to sell a cold-backed horse?

[Bellaboo18]

Never had an issue with cold backed but assumed my horse was when I got him, he just hadnt had an education. I spoke to my physio , and we tried this… get a pillow case and put two hot water bottles in , one either side of his withers or back
To relax and loosen him.
does he have good top line?
If he is lacking muscle try standing behind and short sharp pulls on the tail to get the blood flowing, all tricks I got from my physio. ?

id also say it’s probably partly learned behaviour, try and make mounting a good experience, use a bucket if you have to, use an apple , mints , handful of nuts , just work with him, getting on and off and he will eventually realise and hopefully calm down ?

Do you think horses don't feel pain? It's just every post that screams pain to me you tend to respond with oh just do a bit of inhand work...
Why would it be a learnt behaviour to tense his muscles?

OP, there's a problem, you just haven't found it yet. I wouldn't sell a horse like this.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Do you think horses don't feel pain? It's just every post that screams pain to me you tend to respond with oh just do a bit of inhand work...
Why would it be a learnt behaviour to tense his muscles?

OP, there's a problem, you just haven't found it yet. I wouldn't sell a horse like this.

I know they feel pain, im not stupid, i also never said it wasnt pain, i was just giving my opinion ?? And some options to try meantime!!!
And I said partly considering he has always been like that

 

[sbloom]

Do you think horses don't feel pain? It's just every post that screams pain to me you tend to respond with oh just do a bit of inhand work...

Sometimes groundwork, of the correct kind, is pretty much the only long term solution to pain. Completely agree that of course, in the short term, medication and other veterinary interventions may be needed, but often they don't get to the cause, which is posture and compensatory movement patterns, best dealt with with groundwork to help the horse learn to move better (which isn't stretching, carrot stretches etc can be counterproductive in some cases).

 

[lamlyn2012]

I'm sorry but I think it's unethical to sell a cold backed horse.
I have been in the unfortunate position of being sold two, both vetted and no issues shown at time of vetting. On one occasion the vet even rode the horse himself. This vet specialised in orthopeadic treatments and the horse went back there for weeks of treatment before was deemed OK to ride. I never got on him again. Mounting a horse is one of the riskiest things you can do. This was a long time ago but the apprehension never leaves you, you have very probably found this out and has contributed to your loss of confidence.
If you dig deep enough you will find the reason, it may even be a defect from birth.
An expert rider may cope but the horse doesn't sound the type a professional rider would buy. Or they may do to cover up the problem and sell on.

 

[IrishMilo]

1) Work with the horse on the ground, address any behavioural issues that might be the cause
2) Dig as deep as you can with your vet to rule out physical issues
3) If neither of the two help, retire or PTS

Please don't pass this horse on.