Sagging horse after girthing!

[stevepbyrne]

An ex-racer (9yo TB) who has had a couple of years rest has come in and I've started light work with him. Originally he had a hairline fracture in his knee somewhere and was put out to recover. He seems completely sound now though.
Anyhow - when I tack him up, on a couple of occasions I've tightened his girth a little, gone to pull a foreleg foreward, and he's sunk down on his forelegs. He walks on and is grand afterwards. His saddle is a pretty good fit, and he has a soft girth.
I've had horses dislike being girthed, but nothing quite like this. He doesn't object to being saddled up, but does sometimes do this, which is quite odd. Any suggestions?

 

[lannerch]

Mine is like that always has been, I bought him unbroken and tack all fitted to him. Never been a problem though just means I'm careful to pick his feet out before I do the girth up!

 

[Roody2]

It could be a indication of a sore back or sore pectoral muscles. Stretching the leg forward stretches a lot more than just leg muscles and skin.
Has the horse been seen by a physio?

 

[stevepbyrne]

No, I haven't got that far yet. We rehomed him from a rescue place 8 months ago, and I'm only now starting work with him. I'll get him looked over by our physio before we do much more. It's probably the second time he's had a saddle on in 2 years, so might not be typical behaviour for him, but I thought I'd ask around as it's not something I've come across in 30 years of having horses.
cheers
Steve

 

[rachyblue]

My old boy did it quite frequently. Best way to avoid him doing it was to pick up as picking feet up first then stretch forward.