KS/ulcers…

[ohdearme]

Hello all!
I have rewritten this post SO many times as always ends up an essay…will try to keep it short!

Bought my first horse 2 months ago, lovely when I tried her!! She came with a saddle, and first couple of rides at new home, she tensed/mini bronc’d on mounting but then went on to ride fine. Put it down to freshness/settling in. Also got a new saddle! One session of gradual, gentle mounting block training with polos, and she was much improved for the next few weeks!

Had a week off on holiday, then first few rides back very tense on mounting and “humped” back up on first few steps. Following day would NOT let me mount - backing away from block, stressed, spent a good half hour but had to give up.

Osteo out - very sore back. Recommended a month of groundwork (lunging and walks with bumband). New saddler thinks saddle is rubbish fit, and to replace asap.

Has been going well but noticed she’s a lot more spooky over past week, and started planting - thought this was naughty, as always when leading away from field or yard, but sometimes very spooky with it (visibly trembling!).

Getting repeat osteo and vet out this week, but been doing a lot of googling (dangerous!) and now very worried about Ks & ulcers.

How likely is KS, given that her only symptoms are sore back and mounting issues??

To ride is lovely, loves to canter and jump, correct lead, forward. Sometimes hollow and inconsistent contact but that’s it! 5 stage vetted.

Please be kind!! Am very anxious ?

 

[Sossigpoker]

Sore back can also be caused by hind end lameness so please don't immediately think it's KS. Being hollow and inconsistent into contact would actually point towards hind limbs.
Mine has just had to have his hocks injected and one of his issues has been inconsistent with contact.
I wouldn't waste any more money on physios right now and go straight to the vet.

 

[nutjob]

The first sign that one of mine had a bilateral hind leg lameness was tense, spooky and increasingly dangerous behaviour. I agree with the above poster, you now need to get the vet to do a work up on the horse before getting any more osteo treatment. It's not the case that all back pain is from KS and the symptoms you describe can be from a whole range of things including saddle fitting issues - it's not clear from your op whether the new saddle you bought is the one that the current saddle fitter thinks doesn't fit.

Being anxious is normal as you want to help your horse the best you can but until the vet gives a diagnosis you are stuck without a plan to know what to do. Good luck with the vet visit hopefully it will be something simple and treatable.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would get a vet to do a workup I wouldn't bother with physio now it's clearly not helping that much so chances are it's something else.

 

[ohdearme]

Thanks all, she's booked in for an exam + scope at the vets next week so will ask them to do a full MOT!

It's not the case that all back pain is from KS and the symptoms you describe can be from a whole range of things including saddle fitting issues - it's not clear from your op whether the new saddle you bought is the one that the current saddle fitter thinks doesn't fit.

Yes, saddle fitter came out and said neither her old or new saddle fit well, and have been causing pressure points.

Also, interestingly with the hind leg comments, osteo + saddler both said she tracks up short on her left and tense in the right so maybe that's something.

Will update with vet outcome!

 

[Horseysheepy]

My horse became borderline dangerous to hack out. Then had her hindlegs investigated which revealed her issues.

The hacking was very hilly and going down hills was painful which was when she was at her most explosive.