Lump under saddle...ideas?

madhector

madhector

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Jerry had a new saddle fitted on Friday, for a week or so before that his old saddle didn't seem 100% to me hence my decision to get the saddle fitter out. A few hours after exercise he got a small lump on one side under the saddle. If I washed him off really thoroughly after exercise this didn't happen, if for some reason he didn't get washed of so well it was there. Anyway, saddle fitter fitted a lovely new saddle and agreed that old one wasn't right.

Took him jumping yesterday and gave him a quick wash off afterwards but not as thorough as usual as he was being an idiot tied to the trailer and we just wanted to get him home.

Anyway, got him in later to find the lump was there again. Now my thoughts are if it was the old saddle causing this it will take a while with the new saddle for them to stop appearing. What do you think?

I will ring the saddler tomorrow and see what she thinks (I have 100% trust in her btw) but just wanted your thoughts in the meantime please

Thank you
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Is there any heat? is it painful? hard? soft? How long does it stay there for?

My initial reaction would be to clean your saddle cloth, it could be an irritation caused by dirt or anything coming into contact (which would be why washing helps).
 
Sorry I forgot to say he has a clean saddle cloth every day, and that dooes seem to help. If I use the same one twice it is like when I havent washed him off well enough and the lump gets worse.

ETA: there is a little heat, but not much, and it usually goes down by the next morning, although today it is still raised
 
I would wonder if it is a reaction in his skin, perhaps a sweat gland? Does he sweat much? Is there any difference in reaction in relation to amount of work, is it less pronounced, say, if you did a 10 minute gentle hack than if you did 30 mins jumping?
 
yes definitely. On Friday when the saddle was fitted I rode on the flat for about 20 minutes. He didn't sweat at all and no lump. (actually didn't wash him off as he was completely dry)

Saturday he jumped 3 rounds, was quite hot, washed of but not as well as usual and lump is back, just paranoid as it is a new saddle, but as it has been happening before the saddle was fitted its unlikely to be that surely?
 
Is the area sore at all when the lump is not visible? Perhaps mark out the location of the lump when it's next present then when it fades, press into it with your thumb (start with a gentle pressure and build up) If it's slightly tender when it's there but normal pressure reactions when it's not, I'd assume it's caused by dirt and sweat irritation.

Another test, depending on the location of the lump, would be to lunge/loose school/long-rein with without tack til he gets a sweat on...and see if it's present...then try using a roller with his saddle cloth underneath.
 
mY old mare, Stella developed a hard lump shortly after having a change of saddle. I got it checked by the vets and they said it was the saddle that had caused it, but after we switched back it didn't go, so she just had a big gel pad on under her saddlepad.
 
Is that quilted? If so, try sheepskin, they tend to absorb sweat away from the skin, or anything with similar properties...if you've ever allowed a quilted cloth to get too dirty, you'll know it gets a black, almost shiny layer of grease built up, which shows you that sweat and dirt is constantly being rubbed back and forth with quilted ones.

Other than that, it's management - always throughly wash the area after work, groom thoroughly and keep saddle cloths clean! If it doesn't help or it gets worse, you'll need to get a Vet to investigate thoroughly.
 
When horse sweats, the pores open. Bit of dirt gets in - inflammation!

Problem is that after a few times it becomes 'chronic' - some years ago we got a super hunter whose stable managements hadn't been quite good enough - and he had exaqctly the same problem.

Answer was: before work, dab back with surgical spirit (cleans and hardens). Use clean numnah EVERY time - preferably cotton. After work, wash saddle area well with dilute Hibiscrub (which gets UNDER the top layer of skin!) If you do this RELIGIOUSLY his back will toughen up and the problem should stop - although if he does get veryu sweaty under the saddle I would continue to wash with Hibiscrub.
 
Thanks, will try that.

I have been so careful just the odd time sister has ridden him she never washes him off (thinks it is cruel in this weather) and the bump is always worse after, then me not getting it clean enough on saturday obviously finished it off.
 
Have also heard washing with hibiscrub can help. But also when it's really cold washing can be a problem as the sweat glands are open and will close suddenly on applying cold water hence getting blocked. I might be barking up the wrong tree - this happened to a friends horse a while back and trying to remember exactly what was said! She definitely used the hibi so may be use that but if he's very hot either let him cool a bit before washing or if you can warm the water slightly might help
 
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