Rearing 4 year old - result of vet visit

[elsielouise]

Some of you may remember me posting about my 4 year old that reared with my groom? Well she did a similiar throwing herself around thing at the weekend, I was in front on my mare and saw there was nothing to cause it through riding or environment and so booked vet to come.

He came today and said her teeth were very sharp (don't feel too guitly as only done in August) AND her back was very sore right under the saddle.

She's been wearing a treeless saddle (that I was assured by a master saddler would be OK) so I don't feel too bad about that BUT my vet said he's not sure himself about treeless since has seen a few with sore backs as a result.

Soooo.. the outcome is rasped teeth, some treatment with the electrothingy and we agreed a holiday until April when he'll come and check her again and we'll buy her a new saddle.

Am sorry she was in pain but I didn't ride her from the minute I suspected something and at least my little cob is still what I thought.. a lovely little ponio rather than a nutter in the making!

Moral of this story? As always - if a sudden change in behavior occurs, check the physical first.

Am interested to know how many of us here really do get vet out at sudden changes (I suspect more than in the real world as we're all pretty sensible from what I've read) before giving calmers and getting all caught up in 'alternative' horse management. Not that I'm saying there isn't a place for this but I know of MANY people who go down that route and decide they must do 'natiral horsemanship then end up selling the horse once they've broken it!

Or have I just met too many bad owners?

 

[nuffield]

This is a good informative post. I've always been very sceptical about treeless saddles, I dont like them at all. One saddle made to template for One horse.

 

[Hollycat]

I think you raise a very valid point. Most horse owners would say they would get the vet stright away, but I'm not sure how many actually would - particularly in a scenario like yours where your horse had teeth done recently and has a saddle that has been well checked. On this board there are lots of cool people so I think most of us posters here would look for discomfort first - but the general horse owning population - I think a lot would blame the horse and reach for the whip/label the horse a loony.

 

[Rowreach]

I am a huge fan of a particular make of treeless saddle, and would not put anything else on any of my horses - would you mind telling me which make you use (pm me if you like) as I would be very interested to know.
Hope your little horse is feeling better soon.

 

[Tia]

I think the vast majority of the people on here are pretty savvy and just go through the motions to figure out what is wrong. The vet and dentist will be a part of those motions.

My vet is so cheap that I never have qualms about having him out when I am worried about one of my horses; however on the other hand, I am not someone who just calls him out for the sake of it; I have enough experience to know what to do in many situations but if I haven't dealt with something before, then an appointment is made, or I have him look at it next time he is here.

 

[elsielouise]

Thank you. I think the point I make somewhere else about some people rushing to 'alternative techniques' here does happen. Is why am not overly fond of Parelli etc as there is the hint of a suggestion problems can be cured this way without investigation.

I've rarely heard parelli people talk about accurate fitting of tack, teeth etc.

p.s will PM name of treeless saddle later - just going out to feed.

 

[Taboo1968]

I think it really depends on the situation.... I have recently had a very drastic change in behaviour in my TB, and I spoke to the vet a few days ago (Xmas eve to be precise) and explained what was going on....

Now my little TB can have loads of time off and once ridden, although a little less supple, will always drop into a nice contact and work in a soft outline.... however this time has been a different story.... and he is throwing his head up, fighting the bit etc etc.... No sharp points in mouth (risked limbs by opening mouth and having a good poke about) Vet and myself went over recent happenings, one of those being he got cast and was laying in a very very odd position....and both have agreed that he well could have pulled something because of this.... Vet obviously prescribed pain relief for now until back person/chiropractor can have a look..... Until then, as it is obvious there is discomfort, he is not being ridden....
I think when you know your horse well enough, you know when something is not quite right...

 

[TarrSteps]

I think the problems come when the change isn't drastic or the horse is relatively young/green/new. It always amazes me how many people never consider a horse could be in pain from the first day it works for any number of reasons. Also, a horse that has been in discomfort for a long time/continuously and/or when it has come on gradually can behave very differently than a horse that was fine and now isn't.

Also, I hate to say, some people refuse to consider riding as a potential source of or factor in discomfort. I find it interesting that few horses hurt themselves when being ridden, only in the paddock or the stall.

As far as using groundwork and correct riding, proper work SHOULD act as yoga/pilates/physio, making the horse stronger and more supple and less inclined towards injury. I'm not advocating riding the lame but I have certainly seen good riding improve physical problems. The general consensus is rest is only helpful up to a point, in the initial stages of healing, then proscribed, careful exercise yields the most benefit. So if a horse gets a minor back injury say, then best plan might not be to go straight back into full work when pain is no longer evident, but to do a gradual program of correct stretching and strengthening before starting any sort of collected work again.

And improper body movement can be both an indicator of problems brewing and a contributor to long term strain. If, for instance, a horse will not turn on the forehand equally both ways I start to wonder why and what I can do about it. Just saying the horse is uneven is beside the point - he'll be better off the more even he can be.

The other problem is correct work will make horses "sore" in the same way going to the gym makes us sore. Obviously common sense prevails but especially in recovery periods it's not always realistic to expect the horse to be 100% every day.