Saddle problem

[Jessrosa]

Hi everyone

I've just started loaning a beautiful Highland pony from a local stable. She's a mare so naturally quite stubborn but a lovely ride

A few weeks ago she started acting up when I would try to put on her saddle. It started with just head turning and tossing but has now gone to tail swishing, barging and trying to kick and bite. This is before the saddle is even on her back!

I've checked with the owner who said she doesn't have a bad back and has checked her over. I've also checked the saddle and rug for any bits poking out but there's nothing

Any ideas on what or why she is doing this? I'm getting a bit disheartened as she won't let me put on her saddle so I can't ride her on my own. She is fine with the bridle, outdoor rug and head collar

Any advice is appreciated

 

[Theocat]

Either the saddle is bothering her, or she's realised that if she objects she gets out of work. If you seem nervous in reaction to a small objection, that could quickly escalate. I'd get both back and saddle checked independently by a professional. And if it shows no problems, I'd tie her up short, recruit an instructor or experienced friend, and get on with it.

 

[Shay]

You do need to rule out pain with proper checks from a vet and a qualified saddler. She could have changed shape slightly and her saddle needs re-flocking. Or the tree could be damaged. Perhaps the saddle which fitted the previous owner doesn't fit you as well. Alternatively she might have some problem with her back - I've had horses all my life and I can check a back - but I would never not have a professional come and do it properly if the horse seemed uncomfortable. Equally she could be responding to pain when the girth is tightened. Possibly in her gut or her ovaries. You need a professional to rule all those out.

And having spent all that money... she could just be trying it on because she's figured out that you'll let her. But you'll never forgive yourself if actually there is pain as an underlying cause and you get all rough with her trying to tell you about it.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Has she been out of work, or not done much, until you started riding her? If so she will have changed shape recent ly, which probably means that her saddle doesn't fit as well as it used to do. I would get her saddle checked first - obviously if that is fine then she needs a vet to check her, starting with her back.

 

[sbloom]

Saddle.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

When the owner says she has been "checked over" and there's nothing (apparently) wrong with her back, then what, precisely did the "check" consist of?? Was it a vet who checked it, or a physio? or who???

There is SOMETHING going on, this is obviously a pain/discomfort related issue; and is exactly what my boy was doing when he was in a working yard and they'd plonked the wrong saddle on him whilst he was in full work and he, being a very honest horse, had got to the stage where he just couldn't bear it any more and one day I went to the yard and he was doing the exact same behaviour OP as you describe.

As this is a loan horse I would go back to the owners and ask them what the "check" consisted of. If this mare has been in a riding school I'd lay a strong bet that this will be a pain issue, compounded or in fact caused, by a poorly fitting saddle. Possibly whilst she was at the riding school, she was in a certain level of work, which has now changed, and/or you are riding her perhaps differently and your weight in the saddle, riding style, everything is different, and also the upset of moving yards has mebbe made her that little bit more sensitive.

As she is from a riding school, I wouldn't have the greatest faith TBH that her back has had the attention it needs, ditto saddle fitting. Unfortunately in a busy yard, that's often the way of things..........

 

[applecart14]

When the owner says she has been "checked over" and there's nothing (apparently) wrong with her back, then what, precisely did the "check" consist of?? Was it a vet who checked it, or a physio? or who???

Agree. A bit of a prod and a poke is not the same as having a professional look at a back.