Re-habing sore back after saddle problems

[dilbert]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone would share their experience of how they helped their horse overcome saddle related back pain? Frankies problems are perhaps on the more subtler end of the the spectrum - no bucking, bolting, etc

We now have a new saddle, there is some muscle tightness/soreness in place and some muscle wastage however we have been advised by the physio to slowly start work again. The tightness remains as Frankie did not like the physio technique so I have him booked in with the Bowen lady next week.

My problem is that I am so over anxious about every sign (or possible sign) of soreness that I running the risk of never riding him again.

 

[natalia]

Hi,

You will find this is very common, we have a lot of horses who come to us virtualy unrideable due to back pain, one that I just started ridden work again yesterday would virtually sit down even if you got a leg up on to him. After two weeks on long reining, lunging in tack and sessions from our physio he's now like a different horse. I would maybe aim for a month of slow build up work, two weeks on the floor lunging and long reining and then a day ridden out quietly and another lunged/long reined for a further week, then a week ridden solidly quietly. On week 5 aim to be introducing canter. We find the slower you bring them bak in the better as they need to strengthen up and know that the pain has gone.

 

[posie_honey]

i bought a horse who had far more extreem symptoms... she was unridable and bronked when i did ride her!!

initially i had a physio/back/massage lady work on her and her rid of the tension - then i began to long rein and lunge and in hand walk to get her muscles built back up...

then i got the saddler out for a new saddle and we found one that did fit on the ground so i had to try it.... yup that did mean that she bronked a lot as i first asked her to walk btu it was the only way to try the saddle really - so catch 22 - but by then i knew it was not longer pain and was remembered pain...

once we knew the saddle did fit then i started to work on getting ehr used to it without panicing it would cause pain - so initially i'd put saddle on for a while as i faffed about grooming etc - to make sure she'd relaxed again and the saddle was warm etc...
then i'd only ever get on from a mounting block - and i'd initially only walk her on the flat - never on a hill for the first few mins - as she would relax better then - for about the first 4 months she'd bunny hop for a few mins as i got on - but gradually it would get better. (i kept up with back lady so knew it was still remembered not actual pain )

oh and i never did the girth up tight - even to this day i have to girth up v slowly and generally ride with a loose girth from habit now! does worry some folks as they see me hunting etc!! and i ahve had to do it up for ride judges - but she's ok with that now.

once she'd really relaxed under saddle i actually turned her away for a few months - then bought her back in the same way and she was 99% better

i had problems when i went to change saddles again and tried a few that saddler said fitted but she took offence too so ended up going bareback for 3months to gain her trust in me again - then got M2M saddle and started the saddle acceptance process again

but now there's not looking back - she's fine and going beautifully - only time she does bronk a bit is when shes a bit stressed - ie ata comp etc warming up - but even that's getting better

good luck

 

[posie_honey]

just to add - i totally undesrtand the paranoid thing!! but i have her back and saddles checked every 3month max - and know how to check for tension - that has erally helped
i also have a fab RI who knows her and her previous issues and can give me the confidnce to ride her rather than sit there panicinig she's in pain

 

[dilbert]

thank you hopefully we'll get there eventully

 

[Rache]

Ive just bought a new horse, and with all mine they get a full MOT, so to speak. The physio came and the horse was sore under saddle plus, poll and generally not working porperly and "cheating". He has had a week off, then walking out in hand, then walking out in a pessoa, pole work, lunging, building up to ridding bear back (to help forget about soreness) A new saddle and then starting a 12 week fitting program. Thoughout weekly phone calls from physio, he has done 3 visits using tens machine and heat therpry plus many other things. The differance in the horse is amazing, streaching down, working from behind, his back has lifted and compeltly changed shape, well worth taking it slow, even though with him being a new i wanted to jump on and get going, but i know from the fact that when i had him, he wouldnt canter in the field to now, bucking, rearing and being a right tool, he's got a whole new attidue to life.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

My horse was spooky during rides last autumn, usually at noises. Then on the first ride after the snow, she tipped me off. I put the behaviour down to all sorts of 'exciting' things that happened to us. We had a few short uneventful hacks then, she spectacularly bucked me off when a noisy car passed us. I landed on my head on the road, so I rang my vet. He diagnosed muscular problems and fortunately he does acupuncture. She has had 3 months off work with several acu sessions (at a cost of over £500). I took her shoes off and started in-hand exercise after the first 2 acu sessions. I was very worried because we live on a hill and she really struggles to walk comfortably downhill for the first 2 weeks of exercise. She was even reluctant to follow a field companion out of the yard. Since the end of the treatment, I have had her saddle refitted (the saddle wasn't the problem, I don't think) and have been leading her out with the saddle on. I have sat on her and walked round twice but have delayed the start of proper work as we only have a field to school in and it was slippy while wet. I was intending to ride tonight after work but had to go to hospital with a what turned out to be a trapped nerve in my neck, related we think to the fall in Feb.
I think the answer to your question is to take it slwly and only do what you are both comfortable with. I can recommend acupuncture, if you can find someone to do it. Sorry about the essay but I hope this helps.

 

[GMR]

My horse had back problems a few years ago, He had a full body scan and that was his problem but probably from his spavins , however he had 2 months in a field then rescanned and was fine...so maybe some time off before you work your horse is the best medicine?