Recurring back problems in a young horse

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RosieBM123

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I brought a 3 year old Irish Sport horse from a friend with the aim to bring on and in the future event. The summer we got her we lightly worked her with poles and mainly flat work to build muscle. She was a typical young mare moody and could occasionally rear or nap but nothing dangerous. We turned her away in October with the hope to start her working again next spring (april time) After a week of lunging we got on her and she was very uncomfortable. Back arched, ears back e.t.c. then she did a huge rear. We got a back person out, who said she needed the summer off. By september the back person came back out and said to lightly work her. She didn't feel right and we gave her another few months of. This went on for nearly 18months. Finally this summer we got her back up working with regular back checks. We were unsure weather pony club camp would be a good idea however the back person gave the all clear and we took her. She was a dream and managed to do everything she was asked even jumping a row of 5 jumps with a stride in between at 1m. After camp we competed once and realised she'd changed shape drastically so we looked for a new saddle but with little money we had to make do for the time so i rode bareback. Currently she has not jumped in over a month and still is uneven; she refused to canter with the right lead. We got a new back person out and a saddler who reflocked the saddle and the back person said to give her a week off and then continue light work. However although she is happy in her self and her trot work has come on well. Her canter transitions are poor and she really struggles to strike off and keep the canter. She also has started favouring the left lead which is opposite to her previously favouring the right! We have got paranoid that she isn't right and we shouldn't be riding her. Has anyone had any situations similar to this? or has anyone got any advice?
Thanks
 
I would get back xrays.

I write as the owner of a horse about to start work again after a kissing spines ligament resection operation .
 
Exactly the sort of thing you describe.

Mine was seen by a physio who missed it completely even though she managed to cripple him.

My vet tells me they typically see them at three ages 3-4, yours, 7-8 mine and around 12.
 
To add on: -- She doesn't like the girth being done up and used to not like people touching her back but after back treatments is now better. She does however LOVE her jumping and has potential to go far although does tend to rush..
 
If you do find it, the resection op is about 1500 quid and the rehab is only six weeks.

I would not bother with the injections, they lasted three weeks for my boy.

Rushing jumping is another possible symptom. Does she ever buck or run away on landing?
 
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she has bucked once but that was due to her saddle nearly touching her ears (she had changed shape but it is sorted now) and to running after the fence she always tended to run before never after..
 
My 12 year old mare has just been diagnosed with KS. I have had one before with what I would consider classic KS symptoms (nappy, cold backed, bronced etc) and never thought my girl had it as she had much more vague issues including difficulties in downwards transitions and a poor canter. At times in the school she would feel like she had the hand brake on, but was always willing and never did anything untoward. Turns out her KS is quite severe with 7 vertebrae involved. Is yours insured for vets fees? Mine had nuclear scintography at Newmarket equine which diagnosed KS alongside other skeletal issues.
 
She has already been assessed and they gave us no diagnosis other than 'a weeks rest' .. They told us to see a back specialist but she has seen 3 different physios!
 
That sounds similar. We originally thought she was cold backed. She has phases where she is like a different horse. i'm most worried about her canter. I rode her in the school yesterday and decided to lightly jump her and she was saw a stride a long way off and then landed heavily which is unlike her. I will have to find out if she is insured.
 
This sounds familar although one day she can be a different horse! I rode her in the school this weekend and her canter leads although she got them every time where stiff and felt all wrong. I popped her over a small cross pole hoping to loosen her up but she landed nearly on top of the jump and wanted to walk once on the otherside.. I don't know about the insurance as my mum is in control of that side!
 
I agree you need a specialist- a vet that's a back specialist don't know where you are but Graeham Munroe has a world wide reputation in this area.
 
Goldenstar said:
I agree you need a specialist- a vet that's a back specialist don't know where you are but Graeham Munroe has a world wide reputation in this area.
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Do you mean the Graham Monroe who did my horse's operation? Mine was the thirteenth he's done with ligament resection, I think there are quite a few who have at least as much experience, and Cotts Equine has a lot more.
 
My girl was seen regularly by the best physio/ chiro in the area. She is amazing but never spotted my mare's problems. It's led me to believe that if you have doubts the vet route is the best way to go.
 
springtime1331 said:
My girl was seen regularly by the best physio/ chiro in the area. She is amazing but never spotted my mare's problems. It's led me to believe that if you have doubts the vet route is the best way to go.
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The physio who missed mine missed another who was so bad she was put down once they saw the xrays. I'd always go for back xrays in future.
 
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