Humping/bucking behaviour in mare...

[niko]

I am at a loss as to what is causing some bucking behaviour in my mare. She was off through injury for 4 months, but just before she did she had started to ‘hump’ her back when being mounted. I could usually ride her forward and out of it and all would be fine. Just to mention, back, teeth, saddle and feed have all been checked incase causing the issue.
Just before she went off, my dad legged me up and she exploded (luckily I screw to land on my feet…and only time I came off,.frantically touches wood). When I brought her back from the field she cantered to, she was lame, which looked as though she had jarred her shoulder.
After rest and feeding of her as only 5 and had been broke at Christmas so was due a rest, and getting checked over she was sound again to work……after throwing 2 splints which physio thought causing lameness as sound when they appeared and possibly the reason to cause the humping.
She was lunged with tack on for a few days and then lay over to reback her. As she had started humping before she went off I was aware this issue may rear its head again. Mum legged me up a few days and she didn’t blink an eye. Dad legged me up the next, and again lept forward like a gazelle humping!
The next day I didn’t have help and jumped on and she was fine, then the next day she slightly put her back up!!
My thought process is that she is not in pain from tack as we would have an issue when actually being worked and the fact is she is not doing it everyday. Last night the other mare my sister was hacking out needed its overreach taken off. I jumped off and adjusted it while she held mine. Found a bank on the grassy verged and leapt on….again not a flinch. Sometimes it can be a proper hump and shortening of the body that you can see the wrinkles of skin on her withers as bunched together and others can be an ever so slight back raise.
She lives out 24/7 as being a tb it keeps them sane and really enjoys work. Is this just silly behaviour as young and may eventually stop it as there is no pattern?
Different views greatly appreciated.

 

[AmyMay]

Cold backed?

 

[niko]

If she was cold backed though would it not be everytime?

 

[AmyMay]

If she was cold backed though would it not be everytime?

Not necessarily. I've ridden a few who were 'on' / 'off' like yours sounds.

 

[Tempi]

Have you had her ovaries scanned?

Whats she like being handled by a man? You say shes fine with you and your Mum but when your Dad was helping you she wasnt?

 

[vallin]

Often with cold backed horses whether or not they're cold backed each day depends on various factors i.e. have they had an opportunity to move around, are they a bit chilly and therefore tucked up/have you given the saddle time to sit etc. My friend has a very cold backed horse, but you wouldn't know it to look at the horse as she knows how to relax and manage the horse. It's generally all about management and knowing your horse
Sorry for the waffle! Not sure if any of that's actually helpful! lol

 

[wench]

Kissing spines?

 

[sare_bear]

My friends was like that and has just been diagnosed with kissing spines. May be worth a consideration if it does not improve. May also be worth lunging with tack on for a few minutes before getting on to see if that helps.

 

[CrazyMare]

Cold backed would be my thought - I don't get legged up onto one of mine by Dad or OH, as they throw me way too high, despite everything I do to control the landing, one of mine hates it.

I just get on her from the fence instead. After she has worked for a while, she is fine to hop on and off all day - like for gates out hacking.

Dad used to ride one that was very cold backed - he used to tack up, loosely girthed up then walk the horse in hand round the school for 10 mins, gradually tightening the girth over those 10 mins. Then he used to get on from a big block, and stay in a 2 point seat for 5 mins or so, allowing the horse to trot or canter on but long and low.

 

[niko]

Kissing spines is something i have considered, but as its the initial mounting, would the pain not stay with them while being worked?
She is a narky mare being groomed, even with the softest goat hair brush she hates to be touched, anywhere!! So not just a back issue. I have not had her ovaries scanned as i feel she isn't 'moody' all the time and you would not know when she is in season, just if you look out for it.
She lives out 24/7 so has plenty of opportunity to stretch out and relax. As i say you wouldnt know some days anything was wrong. But you's have triggered a though as in some days i leave the saddle on longer when i have to leave her standing i.e. to open gates etc and shes better. As i do not have access to a school to lunge (this is my preferred option if could) its ground dependant as in the field and she is much better.
Has anyone had good success with the magnetic back pads?

 

[AmyMay]

Has anyone had good success with the magnetic back pads?

I was going to suggest that. I've not used them personally, but I know a few people who rate them.

Also the walking in hand for 10 mins or so, then the 2 point seat is also a really great suggestion.