One thing after another :( What to do?

[I.Camilla]

Okay I posted a thread on here the other day, my 5yo had a slight rodeo session the second I got on after a week off. He was long reined and lunged prior to this and never had an issue before, so it was totally out of the blue.

I fell off, lunged him for a long time and got back on with someone leading. In the end the leader stepped out of the grass school and I could walk trot and canter him with no problems, just got tense everytime a gust of cold wind caught him from behind, but I have ridden in all types of weather in the past so it was all very unexpected.

I put it down to the time off, weather and the fact my 2yo youngster is also very hyper at the moment. Had the intension of riding yesterday, but for first time ever he tried to pull back when I approached to tack up with the saddle. When lunging, I spent a few minutes just showing him the mounting block as I had to get on from a leg up after the fall, but he was freaked when I stood on highest step. Managed to get him to settle and leant over his back fine.

Lunged some more and as I jumped up and down putting weight on the saddle, his back was flinching, but his a very nervous horse anyway.

Obviously though, this screams that he needs his back looking at. But I'm quite worried. His always been a little sensitive but I put it down to him being backed late as a 4yo and still flinchy with things. If I put a towel near his back to dry him he will flinch all over, the sellers said when they got on to reback him a few days before I came out, he was good but just put his back up a little... I've always put it down to his nerves.

Now problem is he is not very good with strangers, so if a back person comes out and goes up near his ears and starts poking and prodding anywhere, I can't see it going down too well.

But somehow I'm just going to have to risk it as I need to ride him to keep the weight off but obviously at the moment I want the all clear on his back and another saddle check.

Who do I ask to come out? Chiro or physio? Do I ring the vets? I don't really want any notes going down encase nothing is wrong with his back. I'm East Anglia area and have no horsey friends round here, so no idea who to use?

Also what are your thoughts on his back? I'm thinking the worst as always. Sorry for the essay but hope someone can advise as everyone has been greatly helpful on the forum so far.

 

[Auslander]

I wouldnt worry too much about the chiro/physio having a problem with him because he's nervous - they're used to dealing with horses who are in pain/difficult.

You will need to speak to your vet though - it is unlikely that a reputable practitioner will treat a horse unless it is on veterinary referral in the first instance.

 

[YasandCrystal]

My little cob mare is very sensitive about her back - she grinds her teeth when you rug her and is always apprehensive when she is saddled, blowing herself out at first so girthing is very difficult. I put this down to her being slightly 'cold backed' - so we take things slowly and I acknowledge her sensitivity. She is so sensitive she dislikes being groomed and just tolerates it.

I have used a back person for her in the past and then Robert Maxwell and recently she has had a few sessions of McTimoney therapy and I really rate that. The therapist (from your way) Louise Cooper also does deep fascia muscle manipulation too. Now my mare is sensitive as I said, but she absolutely loved the McTimoney therapy and was yawning and nodding off - you could see she was in bliss. I highly recommend it. I did call my vet to say I was having a McTimoney therapist out and the vets are fine with this as it is a body balance and not invasive, so no need to go on any insurance record.

 

[I.Camilla]

Thanks, I didn't really want to feel a liability when someone’s comes out to have a look at his back and have to have a hard time about it. But on the other hand he could love it, he is okay to groom and run my fingers along his back. Just rugging and now saddle. He used to hump when I put the roller on, but it was new to him and yet he was fine with the saddle?

Who knows, I will ring the vets and get someone out asap though.