lumps caused by saddle

[RubysGold]

I wondered whether anybody had come across this before. I had the vet out today to look at a lump on my horses back. She said its a something granuloma or something??
It's near the back of his saddle and she says it's like scar tissue caused by the saddle.
I've to use a thick pad for now and get my saddle checked, and if the lump doesn't go away she says she can inject antibiotics into it.

My saddle was fitted in August, so not sure whether he changed shape (again) or whether it's the flocking. Have never heard of this happening before

(I get his saddle and back checked at least twice sometimes 3 times a year so this isn't neglect on my part, he's obviously just changed shape or the saddle is unlevel or something)

 

[CrazyEquestrian]

Hi, one of mine had a lump at the front. It turned out there had been a nail slightly sticking into it as I rode. So we got the saddle reflocked and the lump has gone down.

 

[CrazyEquestrian]

*slightly sticking into him rather

 

[cremedemonthe]

Putting a thick pad under it can cause a change in the fit and could transfer the problem elsewhere. Get your saddle checked before you put any pads under it,Oz

 

[pennyturner]

A friend had one on her pony. She cut a hole in a foam pad so there would be no weight on it when ridden. There didn't seem to be any discomfort, and went away in its own time.

 

[ozpoz]

I'd find it hard to put a saddle back on a horse that had caused an injury already - why is it ok to disregard backs?

If it was a leg no one would think this way.( I hope)

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Either the saddle was badly fitted in the first place, OR the horse has changed shape.

OP you're obviously doing the right thing by checking three times a year; a very good thing you picked this up.

I'd be inclined to get the saddle fitter back pronto to see what can be done, plus a physio session too.

You could try a Suber pad to cushion the back?? Think there's one on e-bay at the mo!!

 

[pennyturner]

A friend had one on her pony. She cut a hole in a foam pad so there would be no weight on it when ridden. There didn't seem to be any discomfort, and went away in its own time.

Vet's opinion on this one was that it was not a problem with the saddle. It was a young pony, and 'one of those things'.

 

[HaffiesRock]

A lot can happen in 4 months. I have just had my saddle adjusted for the 6th time this year. Please dont put it back on your horses back until it has been refitted.

 

[Wagtail]

I've seen this twice. Usually there are multiple small lumps. They are caused when the flocking is very slightly uneven. Both times they have been caused by a made to measure saddle! So you would think they should be the best fit. Turn your saddle upside down and run the flat of your hand over the panels. Are they smooth or can you feel slight unevenness? Sheepskin pads can help but if the flocking is not right, the lumps will not disappear.

 

[dreambigpony]

My pony had several small lumps at the back of her saddle about 8 months ago. Had 2 more saddle fitters out and both agreed my previous saddle fitter had fitted a saddle that was much too long. She's a 14.3 cob but can only take 15 inch saddle. Since we bought her the new saddle, the lumps have completely gone.

 

[CBAnglo]

It's a pressure point caused by the saddle either not fitting or the gait of the horse causing unlevelness and therefore a pressure point.

I would definitely be getting a new vet; sorry. Saddler can be given the benefit of the doubt as pony may have changed (not uncommon in a youngster).

 

[lhotse]

Hard collagen granulomas are usually caused by a reaction to fly bites rather than the saddle. My mare has two on her back, neither of which cause any problems. They have been looked at by my vet who is of the opinion that they are best left alone. she has had them for two years or more. They can be injected with steroids but if they are causing no problems then leave well alone. They will often clear up on their own as the skin rejects the collagen lump.

 

[happyclappy]

Was the sale second hand or used? Have you had a good feel to see if there any lumps, no matter how small or soft? If second hand maybe it needs re flocking.

 

[RubysGold]

It's a pressure point caused by the saddle either not fitting or the gait of the horse causing unlevelness and therefore a pressure point.

I would definitely be getting a new vet; sorry. Saddler can be given the benefit of the doubt as pony may have changed (not uncommon in a youngster).

Why on earth would I need a new vet?? She came out, told me what was wrong and to get it fixed. She hasn't done anything wrong

I have messaged my saddle fitter to come out ASAP after xmas so hopefully get it sorted. I will have a good feel of the saddle in the morning, see if I can find anything

 

[CLM]

Hard collagen granulomas are usually caused by a reaction to fly bites rather than the saddle. My mare has two on her back, neither of which cause any problems. They have been looked at by my vet who is of the opinion that they are best left alone. she has had them for two years or more. They can be injected with steroids but if they are causing no problems then leave well alone. They will often clear up on their own as the skin rejects the collagen lump.

This is exactly what I was told by my vet. Also to use a thick fleecy pad under the saddle, and make sure the saddle fits well. It's interesting, as although the cause is not the saddle, they only seem to appear under the saddle area. It seems to be the pressure of the saddle, or maybe the heat that causes the reaction to the bite. Most seem to come and go again, but I have one that looks like it's beginning to rub. If it gets sore I will get the vet again to inject and hopefully remove.

 

[CBAnglo]

Why on earth would I need a new vet?? She came out, told me what was wrong and to get it fixed. She hasn't done anything wrong

I have messaged my saddle fitter to come out ASAP after xmas so hopefully get it sorted. I will have a good feel of the saddle in the morning, see if I can find anything

Sorry I read this on my phone and when scrolling saw the post re vet and young pony and this being normal as being your post. I wouldn't consider this normal for any horse.

Just another question, do the lumps go down at all? And are they actually under the saddle area?

 

[RubysGold]

They dont seem to have changed at all, even after not being able to ride for two weeks. And they don't bother him at all while you prod and poke them, but yes, they are about half way along where the saddle sits.
I will be getting the physio out in the new year.

I am considering trying his old saddle on again as he wore that for a while with no problems, to use for the short term.

 

[lhotse]

I use a lightweight Nummed wool numnah under my saddle. It's not known exactly why the flybites react such a way under the saddle area but probably a combination of more pressure and heat. I ride my horse for hours out hacking, they have never caused a problem. So don't worry too much.

 

[RubysGold]

Thanks lhotse, strange time of year if that's the cause. Though I rode Saturday and today and he is happy enough in his work so it makes sense that it may not be saddle pain

 

[lhotse]

It's been really mild though, the midges were still biting a couple of weeks ago. It can take a while for the granuloma to form, as the body reacts.
it's not an instant thing at all.

 

[CBAnglo]

When I had this with one of my horses, the vet also said the same; collagen granulomas caused by fly bites etc. The lumps didn't react to touching etc and didnt go down even after a couple of days off riding. Saddle was fine (checked multiple times.)

It turned out that he had arthritis in the upper hock which was manifesting itself by causing pressure on the opposite shoulder - exactly where the pressure point was and the resulting lumps. After 6 weeks of no riding, the lumps went down. As soon as I got back (to test if the treatment had worked (it hadn't)) the lumps came back immediately. So in my horse's case it was a pressure point.

Did the old saddle not fit? Have the lumps come about from when you have been using this saddle? I stuck with my dressage saddle when I was investigating my horse as I didn't want to mix things around as I (and my chiro) were convinced there was a hind leg issue.

 

[RubysGold]

True, it has been mild, bizarrely mild!!

His old saddle seemed to fit ok but he got a sore back regularly so I decided to buy a new saddle and hope his back wouldn't need as much treatment
I may be best sticking with this saddle until the saddle fitter comes. It won't be long,

 

[Ella19]

My bet is its you not your saddle! My mare got a perfect round lump, I tried to blame my new saddle but one lesson with a different instructor showed that for some reason I was suddenly sitting twisted to the right with weight down my right seat bone. My adorable pony hadn't complained in the slightest. Adjustment to me and my position means lump has gone, hair grown back and a happy pony!

Not always horse or saddle, sometimes we need to look at ourselves too. myself, my chiro, friends and normal instructor hadn't noticed I was wonky. Worth a thought!

 

[cremedemonthe]

My bet is its you not your saddle! My mare got a perfect round lump, I tried to blame my new saddle but one lesson with a different instructor showed that for some reason I was suddenly sitting twisted to the right with weight down my right seat bone. My adorable pony hadn't complained in the slightest. Adjustment to me and my position means lump has gone, hair grown back and a happy pony!

Not always horse or saddle, sometimes we need to look at ourselves too. myself, my chiro, friends and normal instructor hadn't noticed I was wonky. Worth a thought!

Quite a high percentage of riders do ride unevenly or wonky yet don't like us pointing this out to them when we fit saddles

 

[RubysGold]

Is there any thing I can do about that? I might ring a human physio after xmas

 

[Cortez]

Quite a high percentage of riders do ride unevenly or wonky yet don't like us pointing this out to them when we fit saddles

He he: this is truth.

 

[mop]

hi my horse had this and we changed his saddle to a flair Its a fab system and any saddle can be fitted with it H e was fine straight away

 

[RubysGold]

Very impressed, I messaged my saddle fitter yesterday. I know she's closed for xmas so just wondered when she could come in new year. She says she can come tomorrow

 

[RubysGold]

So, the saddle fitter came out today. Checked saddle fit, it fits fine. She watched me ride and said she could see no problems. She then put her hand under the saddle and asked me to sit back down. The lumps are in the gullet area and no pressure is on them when I ride.
So I am now happy to continue riding and will just keep an eye on the lumps. She didn't even charge me, was very surprised at that!