potential back problems - where to start?

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Jericho

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argghh my new lovely horsey seems to have a bad back. When I had him vetted (2 stage) the vet said he had a weak back around his loins and generally wasnt the best put together horse but no problem for what I wanted to do with him (hacking, bit of local jumping etc). He passed the flexion tests just although it was noted that he was quite reluctant to pull hind legs very high (he hopped around a bit and snatched away which the vet said could be just balancing himself and then he was OK) Am now very worried as the farrier has just been and my lovely laid back horse turned into a wreck - scared and worried more than nasty - pushing the farrier around the minute he went to pick up his legs (and actually kicking out when the f tried to get his foot between his legs) The Farrier immediately said he has got a bad back problem or hips. He picks his feet up fine for me when I clean them although admittedly its a different movement with the farrier. He doesnt have back shoes on and I was told that was due to lack of work over last year and been out with youngster, was also told he was fine to shoe. My farrier just laughed at silly gullible me and said 'theres a reason he hasnt got back shoes on!'
He rang his fingers very hard either side of his spine and he really dipped but then I think I would if someone did that to me - is that an indication something is wrong?

So I guess the options are that 1) he has had a bad experience with a previous farrier 2) he does have a back / hip problem.

Do I get a back person out first or a vet? Where do I start investigating? I have insured him but will this be covered? Arghhhhhhh. Any advice appreciated....No vet cert was needed to have him insured.
 
Certainly sounds like there could be a problem around his pelvis/ sacroiliac. Personally I would go straight for a back man but if you want to claim off your insurance then I'd get the vet to have a look first and then get them to recommend a good back person in your area. You shouldn't have a problem claiming off your insurance as the problem was not noted to them before.

How is he when being mounted? Or ridden?
 
Well thats the strange thing - stands like a rock to be mounted. No problems at all when riding and loves jumping - really steady. Nice ground covering paces. No bucking or any thing that would have indicated a problem (although we havent really done anything than jump say 2ft 6 or some basic schooling) He doesnt like his saddle going on and pulls a few faces but thats the only indication that he felt uncomfortable and 90% of the horses I know swish thier tails, pull faces having saddles on / girth done up etc
 
If he passed vetting at point of sale that's good as it proves he was sound. However, check your policy to see if there is a minimum period you'll have to wait before getting vet out and being able to claim as many have a month from owning a new horse to making claim.
 
Sounds like weakness in his sacro illiac area - I would work to strengthen this area with him, but work alongside a physio if you are at a loss as to what to do to gain the strength you need.
 
Re a reason why he doesn't have back shoes on. Maybe there is, but to be fair, I have a total of 6 horses and ponies, and only one has back shoes on. He only has them because we go hunting and can be varying terrain.

Another has them on for hunting but she's not going atm so is barefoot behind, the rest do local hacking xc and pleasure rides, and I'm not paying out for back shoes for 4 horses/ponies (extra £100 or so every 6 weeks) when they don't actually need them.

One shod all round, 2 shod front only and the other 3 barefoot.

None of mine has a problem
 
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