Sensitivity around the withers....

[Cookie_Wills]

I own a rising 5 Irish tb x warmblood mare, who over the last 2 months or so has become extremely sensitive round her withers, and the top of her shoulders. I can barely touch her mane or neck in this area, and she also dislikes the reins when they rest on the base of her neck which has meant she has become very unsettled and tense when you first get on, and at walk. When you go up the paces she improves, but back to walk, and she is unsettled again.

At first I thought she was being difficult but I now believe there is something underlying causing this. My instructor has suggested it might be
be down to the outdoor rug (Masta combo)she has been wearing causing pressure, she has quite high withers. She was fine in the summer, without rugs.

Just wandered if anyone else has experienced the same problem. When I bought her in August last year, she had just come over from Ireland backed, but had not had much handling in the stable, so it took a while for her to gain my trust.

 

[buddly]

hi i had this once with mine have you checked for small cuts or rubs on the wither? mine got really sensitive just like u explain he is high withered too and when i had his back done the guy found a really small cut which i hadn't felt or seen(how bad did i feel!!) and i managed to treat that but had xray of his wither done after a week as still sore and he had chipped a piece of bone off the top only a small piece but obviously it was bruised didn't take too long to heal after i knew what it was... might be worth getting the vet or back person to check it. good luck

 

[lifeslemons]

I would carefully cut/shave the hair discretely to check for wounds. If there are any small cuts, try to avoid doing too much to it. Picking off sore scabs will only make it worse, I would have thought, and washing it or applying lotions will only soften the area, which you don't want. On the other hand, a small amount of salt water should help gradually harden it and make it heal.

Your instructor may be right, her rug may be making the area very greesy and sensitive. I would use some hibiscrub gently (but not too often so you don't make the area raw,) dry well and perhaps purchase a 'Bossy Bib' or something similar.

It could be bruising... does your saddle slip forward and cause pressure, or could she have rolled on a stone in the field? The traditional method of applying a hot towel followed by the cold one does wonders for removing bruising. Perhaps you could then purchase a hi-wither number to avoid pressure being applied when riding.

 

[henryhorn]

I think you'll find it's due to the rug. Change it and glue sheepskin or thick foam on either side under the rug so it is lifted off her withers at that point.
We've seen it in horses who wear combo rugs..

 

[carthorse]

I have to be very careful with rugs ,they can be much worse than a badly fitting saddle

 

[Cookie_Wills]

Thank you to everyone for their helpful advice. I have now changed her turnout rug, to a lighter weight one without a neck cover. I am considering sewing some sheepskin to the existing wither pad at the weekend, to help ease any pressure further.

I'm also going buy her a high wither numnah, probably a Nuumed, as I’ve read they are worth the money.

Thanks again, i'll keep you posted on her progress.