Raised bit on spine?

Sycamore123

Sycamore123

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I got a new horse last week on a months trial, and because of our relationship with the person selling her we felt like it would be rude to ask to get her vetted/seen by a chiropractor, so we are getting her back checked sometime next week. But I was wondering if anyone knew what could be wrong with her, and, more importantly, if it can be treated and if she can still be ridden?
Basically, an inch or two behind her saddle, her spine is slightly raised, not enough that my novice mum could notice, but still definitely raised, and when I ran my hand down it she hollowed her back and tried to bite; however she is naturally a horse which bites(I will work on stopping this if I keep her;) and today when I ran my hand down it she didn't even flinch. So I don't know if this is because I haven't yet ridden her and it has stopped the pain(so I'm thinking maybe her saddle doesn't fit, but it's behind her saddle) or maybe riding causes it to be worse, or if she was just biting when we went to see her because she is that kind of mare and there is nothing wrong with her? The lady we got her off said it was just because she is young and hasn't got enough muscle yet, so do you think it will improve when she gets more muscle? Sorry for the long post, opinions please?:)
 
Whatever your relationship with the owner is you need to be more concerned that you are buying a fit, sound horse otherwise down the line if something does show up your relationship may take a turn for the worse.

The lump on her back may be nothing to worry about but the fact that she reacted and tried to bite you suggests it is painful, a physio should not treat the horse without a vets consent, most vets are happy to give this provided they have seen the horse within 6 months or so, this is to ensure both you and the therapist are covered by insurance if something were to go wrong, a treatment can release tension which can then exacerbate an underlying condition, if the vet has not given consent for the treatment it opens a potential can of worms where the insurance company may refuse to pay out.

In your situation I would tell the owner you want to make sure everything is ok and get her vetted while she is on trial, otherwise you may find that the physio thinks there is an underlying issue or needs to continue treating for several weeks, a month goes by fairly quickly and you have not yet ridden her, before you know the month will be up and you may have no idea what she is like as she is still undergoing treatment or has been referred back for the vet to look, it all adds up especially if you need to buy a new saddle as well as pay for the horse.
It is not rude to try and protect your interests and a decent owner should be more than happy for you to get her vetted, whenever I sell I always prefer buyers to get horses vetted, even more so if they are friends or already livery clients, as it covers me as much as the buyer and ensures no ill feeling if something goes wrong after they have purchased.
 
Irrelevant what your relationship is with the vendor, if you are entering into a business transaction it is caveat emptor. Get a five stage vetting, physio check, chiro check, WHATEVER you deem is necessary. If they take offence, TOUGH. You then make the decision either to walk away or continue with the checks and potentially lose the friendship....whichever is more important to you - your choice! :)
 
Thank you for replying, I will ring the person who is checking her back and see if she thinks I need to get the vet out first. Someone has suggested that it might be kissing-spines, does anyone know what this looks like, and if it can be treated? Sorry, this is my first horse:)
 
Ahh I really should have been more firm, I'm only 15 and buying the horse myself, and the lady selling her told me that there was nothing wrong and I didn't want to sound rude or like I doubted her- I am possibly overreacting! Thank you for replying!
 
Sycamore123 said:
Thank you for replying, I will ring the person who is checking her back and see if she thinks I need to get the vet out first. Someone has suggested that it might be kissing-spines, does anyone know what this looks like, and if it can be treated? Sorry, this is my first horse:)
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Kissing spines can only be confirmed on xray, most horses with this condition have no external signs and it is frequently missed by vets, it can be treated, it is expensive and the horse will need extensive rehab, not that I think it is likely to be KS.
The lady selling is overriding your concerns because you are only 15, she should be encouraging you to get the horse vetted as you are so young she must not treat you like a child and dismiss you, please get the horse vetted before you pay for her.
 
Do please get a vet to check her out while you have her on trial, also it would be a good idea to get your instructor or another experienced horse person to check her out for her suitability as a ridden horse for you. Take good advantage of the trial period and don't be afraid to return the horse if things aren't right for you. You will be spending a lot of money on keeping her so make sure she is the right one.
 
Thank you all for your replies- the chiropractor checked her back yesterday and her spine was slightly out of alignment, so he adjusted it, and has said to give her two days off, two days of walking and then see how she goes:) Thank you!
 
My horse due to time off, has lost of a lot of muscle all over, one particular place is on the spine behind the saddle, it could well be a case of building it up again, good to get it checked out anyway, she may need muscle build up all around if you look at her as a whole..but it does take time!
 
Please get her vetted - it protects you and if there turns out to be something else wrong your insurance won't be helpful and then that might mean you can't afford to help your horse if you need too. It will also put your mind at rest. Can your parents help you with the cost of the vet, it might save them a larger bill in the long run. Best to know of any issues before you take her on permanently, that way you'll go into it with your eyes open.

Also just to mention, a horse is never out to be purposefully unpleasant. If biting is just something she does, that means she is trying to tell you something and is having to be loud about it. That in itself would make me a bit concerned.

Good luck, I hope you enjoy her.
 
Please please get her checked by a vet, you will put a lot of money, time and love into this horse, hope all works out, happy riding
 
Sycamore123 said:
Thank you all for your replies- the chiropractor checked her back yesterday and her spine was slightly out of alignment, so he adjusted it, and has said to give her two days off, two days of walking and then see how she goes:) Thank you!
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If her spine was out of alignment - she would be crippled. It simply isn't possible. It is possible that the muscles on one side of her back are in spasm - but the chiropractor should have made this clear. A bodyworker is employed to treat a horse after diagnosis by a vet - they are not allowed to diagnose. I really really think you should get this horse vetted, and then have a professional bodyworker recommended by the vet to treat her if it is necessary.
 
If you're worried about offending the seller (though I think any genuine seller would be happy for the horse to be vetted) then tell then you need a vetting for insurance purposes.
 
Please get the horse vetted, could be just so muscle issue, but many horses have back issues due to pain lower down (lameness issues for example)
 
Sorry but I would return the horse. A biting horse with a potential back problem is no fun for anyone. Return her and get something you can have fun on- and a full vetting before you buy!
 
Get the vet out tomorrow and get it vetted. What if you return it and this woman claims you've damaged the horse?

Secondly when you have a horse on trial you need to be trying it not spending money on it's back then walking it in hand for two days so personally I would be sending it back and telling her you will have it on trial when it's not got a sore back.
 
My ex racer had a lump when I first got him (sounding like yours) vet said it was lack of muscle and would go as and when his topline built back up!
 
Thank you all very much for your help- I decided to return the horse, however she wouldn't load into the trailer with 4 experienced horse people and had to be ridden 15 miles home so I would never have been able to compete her anyway.... she went last week- now going to look at a little highland pony so hopefully it will be more suitable!:)
 
Well done - a horse is a long term relationship, it's important to start on the right footing. I hope you find your dream horse, Good Luck.
 
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