Slight roach back

[Welly Boot]

Have found a beautiful ex racehorse with temperament to die for, but he does have a slight roach back. Would this put you off? Would you xray the back as part of a vetting? I want a fun all rounder but won't be jumping more than 1m. I don't want to buy a walking vet bill before I have even started to build correct muscles etc
Is saddle fitting going to be a nightmare too?

 

[Cortez]

Depends on the degree, and on the rest of his conformation, but a slight roach wouldn’t put me off (one of my very best horses had one).

 

[Goldenstar]

What do you want to do with him ?
A slight roach back should not stop a horse doing normal all round stuff .
It would bother me a lot less than some other things like for example poor feet .

 

[Welly Boot]

What do you want to do with him ?
A slight roach back should not stop a horse doing normal all round stuff .
It would bother me a lot less than some other things like for example poor feet .

a bit of everything - dressage, jump, low level eventing, fun rides & clinics

 

[Goldenstar]

What’s he doing now ?
If he’s going that job now and you like him then I would get a five stage vetting done .
The only issue with that is it may prevent you insuring him not necessarily because of the back.
I dont insure my horses so I don’t have to worry about that.

 

[Landcruiser]

My first horse appeared to have a slight roach back but it gradually stopped looking like that as he got fitter and lifted from his core, after that his back looked normal. It never gave an issue

 

[Bobthecob15]

Literally just bought an ex racehorse that has a bit of a roach back, its really common. We didn't vet as he was from YO and cheap and I knew him.

I've just had the physio for him and she was very reassuring about it, its not a big deal as long as their pelvis is not too misaligned she said. It may improve as they retrain and get more topline. She didn't say it would be an issue with the saddle either....we also need to get one of those! It wouldn't put me off no.

 

[Welly Boot]

Literally just bought an ex racehorse that has a bit of a roach back, its really common. We didn't vet as he was from YO and cheap and I knew him.

I've just had the physio for him and she was very reassuring about it, its not a big deal as long as their pelvis is not too misaligned she said. It may improve as they retrain and get more topline. She didn't say it would be an issue with the saddle either....we also need to get one of those! It wouldn't put me off no.

Thanks Bobthecob15
Are you happy to share a pic? or message me?

 

[ycbm]

On a racehorse it's likely to have been overfeeding when very young as they get beefed up for the yearling sales that caused the dorsal spinal processes to grow too long behind the saddle. It's very common. My last one had them when he arrived but good correct work buried them in muscle after a few months.

 

[millitiger]

I don't mind a roach back.
One of the best jumpers I ever owned, had a hell of a roach!