Retirement for Sore-Backed Pony

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TwiggyL

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I have had my 19 year old welsh sec c a year and a half and in the past month he has had steroid injections into the ligament surrounding his spine and has been put on non ridden rehab for a month.

I had a reputable saddle fitter out yesterday who told me that he seems very uncomfortable and there is no way he can be ridden in anything bigger than a 16” saddle. I am 5ft6 and long legged; I would be doing more harm riding him in a 16”.

He said he will need at least another month off and after that if he seems less reactive, he may be able to find me something I could possibly do light hacking in but that’s about it.

He flinches whenever he is touched, and isn’t keen on human interaction unless he knows you well.

My predicament is that at 19, Considering his soreness, is there much point me even looking for a saddle for him, or would it be kinder to retire him. As much as I love him, I bought him to show and progress my jumping on, none of which has happened due to him having consistent problems.

I suppose I want someone else to tell me wether I should retire him or not, as I find the decision very difficult. I think I know in my heart what is the best option, but want to hear others similar experiences. As we all know, horses are costly and keeping one as a pet on full livery is just not really feasible!
 
Have you joined the Facebook group Horses with kissing spine? Lots of experiences on there that might help with your thinking.

My first route would be to investigate if he can be made more comfortable through the rehab or other treatments as he does sound like right now he could be in pain even if he was retired. Although saying that, rest and turnout could be part of the rehab so might well help him. But I appreciate that his age and the costs of doing that can be tricky.

I’d only retire if/when I felt they could retire in comfort. I’d also have another chat with the vet about the prognosis and rehab plan to make sure you’re on the right path. It can take a while for them to recover but from what you’ve said it may be that the jabs aren’t effective.
 
Thanks, I will join.

The vet told me that he could be ridden after the injections, however, she did not know my saddle fit problems. I would just feel awful riding him again as I know he’d just be doing it in discomfort and all the joy has been taken out of it for us both.

It’s a difficult decision as he is a lovely boy despite being in pain and everything I wanted in a best friend, but I have to think of myself and my finances too!

I will get the vet out next week and see what she says :)x
 
at 19 and in pain I would PTS. I would find a lovely big turnout in a settled herd for the summer to give myself some head space, then before it gets cold, wet and muddy I would have him PTS. I'd be heartbroken but glad his future was secure. Its very hard to PTS a pet pony, but the distance you get when you send them off to retire for a little bit does make it much easier.
 
I guess I need the vet to revisit and be honest with me as to wether he really is in pain or not. It is heartbreaking and very difficult as he seems to absolutely love his life.
 
At 19 he still has many years ahead of him. Most ponies can easily be in full work upto thier late 20’s

You need to talk to your vet and saddle fitter and possibly get them talking to each other, you also need a frank discussion with your vet first about the likely hood of him coming right if you can find a smaller rider.
My first thought is that if he is a nice sort, is likely to come right given the right treatment and would make a child’s pony or even a good pony for a smaller rider then I would be inclined to get him right and either sell him or permanent loan him to a smaller rider.
 
I would be willing to give him lots of time off if that’s what it takes and then potentially loaning him out, but as I know him, he can be quirky so it would have to be a patient child. It is certainly an option, though.
 
Myloubylou said:
Is he able to be non ridden companion or has he other issues?
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He could be, I don’t know what he’s like when he’s 100% comfortable but he is not a cuddly pony and very grumpy; not keen on human interaction! I attribute this partially to him being in pain. He is quite defensive around other horses, too. He’s a kicker!
 
The trouble with the "C's" is that they can be very short backed and difficult to fit a bigger saddle to. Have you tried a little person riding him in a shorter seated saddle? If he goes better, then you might find him a nice home with a little jockey, but my experience of that section is that they are a bit too forward and full of go for children..
 
I'm afraid that I think a pony which is constantly grumpy with both humans and other horses is in pain. I would have him put to sleep if this cannot be resolved to make him comfortable in the next few weeks.
 
cundlegreen said:
The trouble with the "C's" is that they can be very short backed and difficult to fit a bigger saddle to. Have you tried a little person riding him in a shorter seated saddle? If he goes better, then you might find him a nice home with a little jockey, but my experience of that section is that they are a bit too forward and full of go for children..
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Exactly that! I have had little sharers for him and he has been too much for them as he is quirky on the ground and needs someone who is not bothered by his antics!!
 
Seems deeply unfair to put a horse to sleep just because you cannot find a saddle to fit both you and him.

I think you do need to discuss with your vet if he would come right if you got the right saddle and rider. If he would then get him right and sell him, there are plenty of small riders out there who would take him on.

If he is unlikely to come right even with a small rider then I would PTS.
 
I wouldn’t write off the prospect of a 16” saddle totally- i’m also 5’ 6” and can easily manage in one, although in fairness, I’m dinky at 53kg. Neither would I write off a 19 year old pony if the back problems could be addressed- worth further investigation in my opinion. Good luck x
 
I'm not suggesting this pony is put to sleep because of issues finding a saddle to fit him. I'm suggesting it because after having his spinal ligaments injected and a month's rest he is still too sore to even put a saddle on him, when the vet expected him to be fit to ride. And this is clearly, to me, a long standing problem as for the entire 18 months the OP has had him, he has been grumpy and unfriendly both to humans and other horses. The whole story screams to me of a pony with a chronic and incurable back problem which has been going on a long time.

OP, I hope I'm wrong and that your saddler is happy to fit a saddle to him soon, but if not, I would have him put to sleep unless he is happy retired and loses the grumpiness.


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ycbm said:
I'm not suggesting this pony is put to sleep because of issues finding a saddle to fit him. I'm suggesting it because after having his spinal ligaments injected and a month's rest he is still too sore to even put a saddle on him, when the vet expected him to be fit to ride. And this is clearly, to me, a long standing problem as for the entire 18 months the OP has had him, he has been grumpy and unfriendly both to humans and other horses. The whole story screams to me of a pony with a chronic and incurable back problem which has been going on a long time.

OP, I hope I'm wrong and that your saddler is happy to fit a saddle to him soon, but if not, I would have him put to sleep unless he is happy retired and loses the grumpiness.


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:). I have been battling with his back problems since I got him in January 2018 and have gone round in circles. He improves slightly after some rest but as soon as I sit on him he eventually gets sore again and then his attitude towards ridden work is not good. Saddle fitter did say he could maybe, possibly, find a 16” to fit us both but then I could only occasionally hack him very lightly in walk; he is extremely nappy out anyway. (One of the reasons he is not a child’s pony, as many welshies; he is quirky).
I agree that yes, some taller riders do have smaller saddles and their ponies go fine but as mentioned above mine has had a bad back for probably close to 5 years (from research) and it has not improved since I have had him and tried many, varied avenues and spent a lot of money on trying to “fix” him.

Vet out this week so I can have a chat then!
 
Melody Grey said:
I wouldn’t write off the prospect of a 16” saddle totally- i’m also 5’ 6” and can easily manage in one, although in fairness, I’m dinky at 53kg. Neither would I write off a 19 year old pony if the back problems could be addressed- worth further investigation in my opinion. Good luck x
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Sadly I’m not as light as you-I’m 63kg and most of my body is made up of leg!!!x
 
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