lara b
Well-Known Member
Hi,
Looking to see if anyone has had a similar experience who can offer some advice/insight (sorry it's long winded!)
My 21 year old cob has developed granulomas in the saddle region (a the back of the saddle where the near side back panel rests) and I am looking for some advice as to possible solutions. He has always had an odd lump (vet thought fly bite reaction) in that region and generally it's never been any bother other than the odd saddle adjustment if the hair started to look rough in the area.
However over Christmas he developed protein bumps all over his body and whilst most went down (vet said to leave well alone at that point) the ones in that area stayed and have mineralised. They were doing ok until end of Jan when they suddenly went from a bit of rough hair to a raw sore (with a second sore developing over time)! Took him straight back to the vets and he has been treated on going since, initially with steroid cream/non localised injection and more recently with a course of oral steroids. (He has also had his back checked by his chiropractor who said there were no indications of tightness in the muscles in the area).
I got both my saddles (albion K2 dressage and gp that he's had for 5 odd years) refitted the instant it happened (they had been a bit low in front so where a little unstable behind) and have used them on and off over the last few months but despite the saddles seeming to fit now the nodules still become pink and sore when they come into extended contact with the saddles (saddles directly onto his back as this seemed to give the least friction). I compete at Medium level BD so probably do put a fair amount of pressure through my seat (although I'm 9 stone and he's a 16h 650kilo cob!). I've tried a variety of holes cut out of pads/creams/gall salves all to no avail.
I have now been riding bareback for the last month whilst he's been on the oral steroids to let the whole thing rest and whilst the swellings are definitely reduced with the steroids they are still slightly raised areas and both of the mane culprits are still bald (am thinking the hair maybe just won't grow back now).
So in my long winded email I guess what I am trying to ask is:
1) Has anyone had a similar problem and if so was it solved and how? My non horsey OH thinks they will just harden up if I keep riding with the saddle but I really can't see how that is fair to my lad and also I think they won't they will just get worse!
2) If I go the route of a new made to measure saddle will it potentially still have the same problem of rubbing the lumps sore simply due to the fact that they are slightly raised and hairless and in a heavy pressure area? Even riding bareback I can't use a saddle pad over the area as it rubs and turns them pink again
3) Would I be better to go back to some sort of soft cut away padding to alleviate pressure from the area?
Only other option from the vets side is to cut them out and start the healing process from scratch but vet thinks due to the large area involved (there are about 5 lumps in total 3 of which have hairloss) that could be a long time off work which we are both worried about given his age.
Any help/advice you can offer would be gratefully received.
If I can figure out how to upload a picture I will!
Thanks
Looking to see if anyone has had a similar experience who can offer some advice/insight (sorry it's long winded!)
My 21 year old cob has developed granulomas in the saddle region (a the back of the saddle where the near side back panel rests) and I am looking for some advice as to possible solutions. He has always had an odd lump (vet thought fly bite reaction) in that region and generally it's never been any bother other than the odd saddle adjustment if the hair started to look rough in the area.
However over Christmas he developed protein bumps all over his body and whilst most went down (vet said to leave well alone at that point) the ones in that area stayed and have mineralised. They were doing ok until end of Jan when they suddenly went from a bit of rough hair to a raw sore (with a second sore developing over time)! Took him straight back to the vets and he has been treated on going since, initially with steroid cream/non localised injection and more recently with a course of oral steroids. (He has also had his back checked by his chiropractor who said there were no indications of tightness in the muscles in the area).
I got both my saddles (albion K2 dressage and gp that he's had for 5 odd years) refitted the instant it happened (they had been a bit low in front so where a little unstable behind) and have used them on and off over the last few months but despite the saddles seeming to fit now the nodules still become pink and sore when they come into extended contact with the saddles (saddles directly onto his back as this seemed to give the least friction). I compete at Medium level BD so probably do put a fair amount of pressure through my seat (although I'm 9 stone and he's a 16h 650kilo cob!). I've tried a variety of holes cut out of pads/creams/gall salves all to no avail.
I have now been riding bareback for the last month whilst he's been on the oral steroids to let the whole thing rest and whilst the swellings are definitely reduced with the steroids they are still slightly raised areas and both of the mane culprits are still bald (am thinking the hair maybe just won't grow back now).
So in my long winded email I guess what I am trying to ask is:
1) Has anyone had a similar problem and if so was it solved and how? My non horsey OH thinks they will just harden up if I keep riding with the saddle but I really can't see how that is fair to my lad and also I think they won't they will just get worse!
2) If I go the route of a new made to measure saddle will it potentially still have the same problem of rubbing the lumps sore simply due to the fact that they are slightly raised and hairless and in a heavy pressure area? Even riding bareback I can't use a saddle pad over the area as it rubs and turns them pink again
3) Would I be better to go back to some sort of soft cut away padding to alleviate pressure from the area?
Only other option from the vets side is to cut them out and start the healing process from scratch but vet thinks due to the large area involved (there are about 5 lumps in total 3 of which have hairloss) that could be a long time off work which we are both worried about given his age.
Any help/advice you can offer would be gratefully received.
If I can figure out how to upload a picture I will!
Thanks
