sore back..

[jojane]

My friend got back from her lesson last ngiht and noticed her horse had a little sweat patch were the back fo the saddle would sit left hand side,when she touched this he twiched and moved away from her..

He is known for having a sore back beacuse of badly fitted saddles with old owners but its been such a long time snice she thought it was history..
He has been off work with another problem but been back in work 7+ months now and the only thing they did different is they did more cantering on the left side last night as he is unbalnced ?!

I said i would post this for her so all answers greatfull As she is known for worrying so now thinks she has a horse that can only walk and trot..:/

 

[be positive]

It is likely that in the time he has been back in work he has changed shape and muscled up, she should get the saddle checked, it may just need a reflock or slight adjustment and could well be why he appears to be stiff on the left rein.

I would also get a good physio to look at him, again with his increased work load he may just be a bit tight in his back somewhere and some treatment will make him use himself more correctly. As he has a history of issues it is worth getting him looked at every 6 months as routine, it can help avoid anything becoming too serious.

There should hopefully be no underlying problems and no reason she cannot continue to canter once he is more comfortable.

 

[jojane]

Hi thanks for the reply
Yes he hasent had his saddle done snice aug the saddle fitter is coming to her monday.
She askd me earlyer why would the saddle all of a sudden not be ok when he has been doing cantering and been having lessons and been perfect the only difference been on her lesson this week they did it for longer and i think shes unbalanced to so maybe banging on his back...
He has regular phiyso every 3/4 months and the lady ahs workd wounders wth him hes so much stronger n has come on so much in the time he has been back in work but if hes ever sore anywere its the left side were the saddle sits??!
anymore ideas x

 

[be positive]

The sore area that you describe could be caused by the saddle, good that it is being done, it could be the rider is not sitting straight, again it may be the saddle or possibly rider is weaker on one side.
It could also be that the horse is not always working straight, using his stronger hind leg and compensating at times, the more difficult the work the more he will use his strong side, it is not something he will be consciously doing but like us they have a dominant side.
It would help to get him as level as possible and build up his weaker side, I use lots of pole work, it is difficult for them to do unless they are straight and will help get him to the next stage in his work. Raised poles are useful once he is happy with ones on the ground.
It sounds like your friend is doing everything she can to get things right for her horse, these setbacks will happen its dealing with them and being aware of them that is important.

 

[jojane]

Yea i think there both weak left side witch dosent help i geuss.
That does sound like what is happening tho because the only thing to have changed is they did a little more so i geuss he found it that little harder causeing him to have a sore back.
Ill tel her to get him going over poles n not canter for that long again til hes a little stronger n maybe she should ride another horse in canter to get her left side better!!
She just thought it was strange coz hes been good for so long and been having lesson n been fine but it makes sense its coz he did that bit more n he found it that bit harder.
Hes happy in him self and they have been thought so much so hopefully this is a little set back Xx

 

[jojane]

Hi up date on the sore back..
He was fine by wednesday she rode him friday and he seemd very happy she didnt go far etc..
Back was a tiny bit sore sat but nothing like monday n fine now today again!!!
She askd me to re-post as she keeps going on about weather a work load can catch up with a horse all of a sudden?
And maybe hes just ment for walking and plodding about on??
And she has had 4 lessons one every week for 4 weeks and she is also woundering if that has caught up with him? does that happen..
shes worrys because of his track record hes been in and out of work before with a slight tendon injury,bruised hoof,and then a badly fitted saddle so sore back.. hes been going from strenght to strenght theses last 7 months n not had one day off sore etc!!but be good to know all your takes on this