Lumps on his back!

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morgan4eva

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My horse has some lumps on his back (other than me). They look like bites but have been there for ages and are situated under the saddle area. There is a little group of about three of them on one side and another one on its own on the other side. They are not bald and do not seem to bother him. Anyone any ideas what they could be?
 
I'm sorry I cannot tell you whay they are but would be very interested in peoples opinion as my cob has got exectly the same. He has had them for about 4 years and have never bothered him or got bigger or changed in anyway.
 
sounds like cellulite bumps caused by an ill fitting saddle. Are they hard to the touch? These dont go away I am afraid. they dont cause any pain, but are unsightly and of course indicate that the saddle does not fit.

If there are lumps that are raised then go down after about half an hour, it may be a trapped blood vessel.
 
They are very hard to touch - I have to say he had them when I got him - with lots of muscle wastage under saddle also - so you could well be right! I ride him at the moment in a very soft serge lined saddle recommended to me by my saddler to build up the muscle on his back with a polypad under, previous owner rode him in an ancient "one saddle fits all" except at competitions.
 
They are blocked hair foliciles, caused by sweat, dirt and saddle movement - I would not say it is always an ill fitting saddle - all saddles have to move with the horse and this is where you get the friction. Donkey had them when I got her, then developed several more last year while doing a lot of fitness work (sweating).

There are three things that will help them reduce/disapear:

Keep your saddle cloths clean - I change mine after two uses.

Always brush the back off after work - I use quite a stiff brush to stimulate the skin

Always use a gel sheet directly on the skin - you will get more sweat but all lumps will disapate.

I bought mine from here
http://www.horsehealth.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_73&products_id=587
 
I have seen it mostly where the horse's saddle was too tight - usually there is a degree of muscle wastage as well. Those saddles dont usually move - they are cinched down with the girth. I find most movement occurs where the saddle is too wide really, and you dont get these sorts of lumps, you get rubbing in various places.

Of course it could be due to dirty saddle cloths and sweat but if he has had them awhile and they are hard to the touch, then most likely cellulite.
 
Thanks all - very helpful - I'm afraid I am guilty of allowing saddle cloths to become very dirty - but he did have the lumps before me! Thanks to all - will try the gel pad and see if it helps!
 
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