TB/Ex race horse, back issues

[kerrieberry2]

I have a horse on loan, main reason for getting him was as a companion for my other horse! anyway, my friend came with me to see him and we decided to share him and she'd ride him.

when we tried him, he kind of dropped his back end and his owners said that was something he done when he was feeling nervous but she said he's fine once he's settled.

hes an ex race horse, but was with the owner for 10 years so hasnt raced for a while, she said he done that at the racing yard, they had his back check loads of times and she has always had it checked and he has acupuncture and massages but no one she had out ever found anything seriously wrong!

my friend isnt happy because we've had him since april and every time he comes in and she gets on he still does it! she's not a heavy girl, about 10 stone and he's 16'3".

but wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience with their horses? my friend wants to get his back checked but obviously it might be a waste of money if he's been checked a lot over the years and for a horse that we are only having for a year, is it worth it?

he has a prolite pressure pad when she rides.

 

[Nocturnal]

Imho, having a new horse's back checked is never a waste of money

 

[paddi22]

get a good osteopath out to look at him, one did wonders with my lad whos an exracer too. he's a completely different horse a month later

 

[kerrieberry2]

brilliant we will do! was thinking a physio wouldnt be the right choice! so will have a look and see if we have any in our area!

thanks

 

[YasandCrystal]

He could of course be cold backed in which case you can try things to warm up the saddle area and massage him before mounting and maybe even lunge him a little first. One of ours is slightly cold backed and dislikes the saddle being put on and girth done up, so we take it slow and walk her in hand a bit first.

 

[china]

Sounds like hes cold back. A way to find out if this is the case, lunge him with tack on for 15 mins and then get straight on. If it is improved then he is cold back which is why he is fine once he gets going and warms up.
My ex racer does exactly the same as what you are describing. I mount from a mounting block and his back used to dip away from me for the first few strides then he would improve. Turns out he has mild Kissing spines which is the cause for him being cold backed.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Alot of racehorses have Sacriliac problems from their racing days. It would be well worth getting him checked over if you plan on working him. It could just be remembered pain fro many years past or it could be an on going problem.

 

[kerrieberry2]

Thanks China, that sounds exactly like ours! I will get my friend to do that before she rides him tomorrow and see whether it makes a difference!

and is yours still okay to ride even with the kissing spin? will it get worse or do they think it will just stay the same?

 

[wench]

My first port of call would be to get chiro AND a physio out to him, and get saddle fit checked

 

[china]

Thanks China, that sounds exactly like ours! I will get my friend to do that before she rides him tomorrow and see whether it makes a difference!

and is yours still okay to ride even with the kissing spin? will it get worse or do they think it will just stay the same?

The vet gave him the all clear to work but he would have to do alot of long and low work to reduce the KS getting worse. He is a very high carriaged horse which will not help the inpingement of the spinal proceses. His is mild so can be managed. Had it have been worse he may have needed surgery. He did have his spine injected so he may well need this doing again in the future. Alot of horses have mild KS and there owners dont even know it. It can be managed. Its just the investigating part thats expensive ;-)