my horse

vickie1989

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Hi I was wondering if anybody had any advice for me.
I have bought a horse that's cold backed doesn't seem to show any signs of it when tacked up or lunged. My friend that has been helping me mounted him and bronked and she came off.. im not sure what the cause was as he was warmed up done everything by the book...
 
Are you sure he is cold backed rather than something else? Normally with a cold backed horse you have to saddle up / girth up really slowly. They might also react to the rider mounting - but the issues start with the saddle going on and being tightened. You just have to take it one girth hole at a time and very slowly.

A horse that can be tacked but bronks off when mounted would suggest pain to me. Have you had the saddle checked recently? Or he could be over excited - or just being plain naughty? Might it be worth having the vet and saddle fitter come to check just in case? Especially if he's new.
 
Are you sure he is cold backed rather than something else? Normally with a cold backed horse you have to saddle up / girth up really slowly. They might also react to the rider mounting - but the issues start with the saddle going on and being tightened. You just have to take it one girth hole at a time and very slowly.

A horse that can be tacked but bronks off when mounted would suggest pain to me. Have you had the saddle checked recently? Or he could be over excited - or just being plain naughty? Might it be worth having the vet and saddle fitter come to check just in case? Especially if he's new.

Hi thank you for the reply. Well I got told he was cold backed but I thought it was a bit odd that he didn't show any signs hes absolutely fine being tacked up part from being a fidget which hes like anyway and the same when lunged I have the chiropractor coming this month now so hopefully will find out what the cause is. He isn't naughty and his face genuinely doesnt seem as if he wants to be nasty when he does it if that makes sense.
 
Hi Vickie. You haven't given much detail so sorry if I'm asking questions that seem daft. How old is he and did you buy him from a reputable seller ? Have you ridden him or seen him ridden and if so, how long has he been backed and in work ?
Did the saddle come with him and has it been correctly checked and fitted by a registered saddler ? Your back person hopefully will be able to assess for possible physical problems but don't forget to check with your vet before the chiropractor treats him.
 
Cold backed always equals a problem IME as every cold backed horse I've known has had a genuine reason for it's behaviour. It may be a low level problem that can easily managed, or it can indicate a big issue eg kissing spine.
 
I rode him when I went to view him he seemed fine then.. he camr from a racing yard was raced 3 times and then sold to me hes 6yo iv rode him 3 times since iv had him which he has been with me nearly a month now. Every time iv got on him he does something and then get on with what I ask him but this time was different as he threw my friend off and she was badly hurt and snapped her wrist. . He didnt come with a saddle iv been using one from the yard im at and thats what id rode him with and when my friend came off.
 
I would have his back, teeth and saddle checked as a starting point. If he doesn't mind the saddle until someone gets on it sounds like a badly fitting saddle or a back pain issue.
 
Iv been riding since I was 11 im now 25. I was riding two different race horses before I bought my own. I never seen a horse do this with no symptoms.
 
I'm sorry your friend was injured. I used to look after a cold backed horse and he only showed signs of it when being tacked up and when you first got on. Once he was warmed up he was fine for the rest of the day. It really does sound like a saddle problem, especially as he did not do this when you tried him. I would get that seen to, and if that does not solve the problem, then you will have to look at your feeding, training and management.
 
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