not tracking up and bad back

[candyhorse]

Hello,
I have a 5 year old mare who was broken in November. She has never properly tracked up in her trot (her walk is fine), and me and my instructor thought that with regular work, she will use her back end more and this may come.

She is now very relaxed and supple in her neck, however her back end feels tense, stiff and she is still not tracking up properly. My instructor suggested that it may be a back problem. Has anyone else found that problems with tracking up have been linked to a bad back? I am going to get her back and saddle checked, but if everything is fine does anyone have suggestions of where to go next? Just interested in others thoughts

 

[be positive]

There was a thread a few days ago about tracking up, while it is desirable that the horse does track up some through conformation or tightness do not. If your horse is obviously tight in her back there will most likely be a reason, a good physio and saddle fitter should hopefully find out why and with correct work you will be able to improve her.
Stretches on the ground will help, most physios will leave you with exercises to do that are appropriate for each horse, other ridden exercises that help are working over raised poles, working long and low while warming up, during each session and when cooling down all the time encouraging the back muscles to stretch and relax.

 

[Bikerchickone]

Yep! My cob had exactly this problem and it was due to a stiff hip. He now has an equine osteopath come out at least 3 times a year and she sorts him out. I'd suggest going by word of mouth to find a good osteo in your area, but you will need the vet to agree treatment first.

Does your horse pick up all four hooves equally willingly? This is generally a good indication of a potential problem, my boy gets a bit hesitant when he's due a treatment!

 

[candyhorse]

Yep! My cob had exactly this problem and it was due to a stiff hip. He now has an equine osteopath come out at least 3 times a year and she sorts him out. I'd suggest going by word of mouth to find a good osteo in your area, but you will need the vet to agree treatment first.

Does your horse pick up all four hooves equally willingly? This is generally a good indication of a potential problem, my boy gets a bit hesitant when he's due a treatment!

She is a bit funny about picking her back feet out, but I think it might be her taking the mickey because she stands beautifully for the farrier. She is on loan and the owner is paying for vet/chiro treatments. She looks stiff in both her back legs, would you advise getting the vet or chiropracter out first?

thanks

 

[Bikerchickone]

She is a bit funny about picking her back feet out, but I think it might be her taking the mickey because she stands beautifully for the farrier. She is on loan and the owner is paying for vet/chiro treatments. She looks stiff in both her back legs, would you advise getting the vet or chiropracter out first?

thanks

If I remember rightly you'll have to have the vet first to approve the osteo, or whoever you want to use. I'd also use it as an opportunity to pick the vet's mind about any good ones in your area.

She may be ok with the farrier because it becomes more comfortable to stand with a back leg up once the stiffness eases. Once my boy has got himself comfortable he'll stand quite happily to have his back feet done.

 

[Booboos]

My horse stopped tracking up due to back problems (saddle pinching spinal nerves) so I would take it as a strong sign that something is not quite right. As she is on loan I assume you did not have her vetted? If so I would start with a lameness work up and go from there, but physio and saddler would be the next thing.

 

[foxy]

I would get the vet, my boy was difficult with lifting his back legs and he had issues with his back and his hind legs - if you get the vet they can rule out any problems

 

[candyhorse]

My horse stopped tracking up due to back problems (saddle pinching spinal nerves) so I would take it as a strong sign that something is not quite right. As she is on loan I assume you did not have her vetted? If so I would start with a lameness work up and go from there, but physio and saddler would be the next thing.

She was bred by her owners, so was never vetted. They don't know her very well because she was raised by a friend of theirs. So we are finding things out as we go along.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I will ask the owner to book a vet, and then follow the vets advice. Hopefully it stops her feeling so tense to ride.

 

[cellie]

Everytime I have problem its saddle related,losing condition affects saddle fit so does building topline.Im now going through my 4th saddle my mare bucks and plays up immediatelythere is problem with her saddle.I always check her back out first with mc timoni then end up making expensive saddle changes.o