spotty_pony
...
My ISH is lame 
he hasn't been lame in the 4 years I've had him except for once which was an abscess so straight forward enough to sort out but don't think it's going to be that straight forward this time.
Got on him yesterday and he was walking a lot slower than usual and felt stiff. I went into trot and he was noticeably lame behind and felt really lumpy. He was in obvious pain as he grunted too and stretched his neck down so obviously I got off. No heat in legs or hooves... seems to be back related. He is not tracking up with near-hind and when I run my hands down his back he seems quite sore in the middle of his back, bless him! Kept him in last night and turned out for a few hours today and then brought him in again tonight and although he seems a little happier, he is still obviously in discomfort. Haven't given him any bute as don't want to mask the pain as want to see if it's just a pulled muscle and whether it improves with rest.
Now, my gut instinct is telling me it's not a pulled muscle and it's his saddle. Had the saddle fitter out at the beginning of March and he told me my saddle was a bit big at moment as he is fitter than he has ever been and to just use a had pad with a normal numnah until he has put weight on from spring grass and then take the half pad off again. I have been using the half pad for about 7 weeks now and he doesn't seem to have put anymore weight on since going out more but wondering whether this might be the cause? If he is still just as sore tomorrow, I think I will get my chiropractor out and the saddler again and then obviously the vet.
Sorry to ramble, just confused and worried!
he hasn't been lame in the 4 years I've had him except for once which was an abscess so straight forward enough to sort out but don't think it's going to be that straight forward this time. Got on him yesterday and he was walking a lot slower than usual and felt stiff. I went into trot and he was noticeably lame behind and felt really lumpy. He was in obvious pain as he grunted too and stretched his neck down so obviously I got off. No heat in legs or hooves... seems to be back related. He is not tracking up with near-hind and when I run my hands down his back he seems quite sore in the middle of his back, bless him!
Kept him in last night and turned out for a few hours today and then brought him in again tonight and although he seems a little happier, he is still obviously in discomfort. Haven't given him any bute as don't want to mask the pain as want to see if it's just a pulled muscle and whether it improves with rest.Now, my gut instinct is telling me it's not a pulled muscle and it's his saddle. Had the saddle fitter out at the beginning of March and he told me my saddle was a bit big at moment as he is fitter than he has ever been and to just use a had pad with a normal numnah until he has put weight on from spring grass and then take the half pad off again. I have been using the half pad for about 7 weeks now and he doesn't seem to have put anymore weight on since going out more but wondering whether this might be the cause? If he is still just as sore tomorrow, I think I will get my chiropractor out and the saddler again and then obviously the vet.
Sorry to ramble, just confused and worried!
