Tight through the back, or just short?

[Sol]

Bit of a bizarre question, but as new yard permits lunging I've lunged Dante a few times in the last week when the arena has been okay.

When I lunged him though, I noticed that he doesn't appear as free in his back as some horses, there is a lot less movement overall. But could this just be a sort of illusion, as he is so short and compact, you can't really see the same swing as you do in a longer horse?

Sol x.

 

[lochpearl]

It is really difficult to say without seeing what you are. Personally I would say that a short coupled horse should not look 'lame' stiff on the lunge compared to a longer rangier horse - just because you are used to them. Do you see what I mean?

Does he trot up straight?

 

[Nocturnal]

How long did you lunge for? Was he cold or tense at all? My horse can often go a bit 'stiff' through the back when its cold/windy/raining, or if lunging in a new environment, and its down to tension. Once he's settled and warmed up he starts to swing. Does your horse stretch at all on the lunge? Its always worth getting a decent physio/McTimoney person out to have a check, too.

 

[Sol]

I haven't trotted him up but he's always been fine in the past. Nobody has commented that he's looked lame in any way ridden and he feels fine in the school and on the roads.
I think the fact that he's short and lanky don't help, as when I've watched videos of him being ridden, the tension he holds in his neck can make him look... almost 'stuttery' isn't what I'm after but you get the gist? With his front legs. But I am aware of that and it definitely seems to be a ridden thing as we've had some bitting/contact issues etc. that we are working on. So perhaps it is just tension, although I wouldn't have expected it on the lunge in a way. Hmm. Will definitely be having him checked out asap

 

[Sol]

How long did you lunge for? Was he cold or tense at all? My horse can often go a bit 'stiff' through the back when its cold/windy/raining, or if lunging in a new environment, and its down to tension. Once he's settled and warmed up he starts to swing. Does your horse stretch at all on the lunge? Its always worth getting a decent physio/McTimoney person out to have a check, too.

The first day I only lunged for about 10-15 minutes as he just wasn't interested after that! (lazy horse) and I didn't have much time. He was also being a bit of a twit so that probably didn't help. Just lunged him in a headcollar that day.

Yesterday I lunged him in his bridle and draw reins, for about 20 mins? He did seem to be better after I got him moving about the school more, trying to extend his trot in a straight line. He also seemed more balanced and was actually sorting himself out better yesterday actually, as he WAS more settled... Perhaps I'm just not giving him quite long enough then? Although I don't really want to lunge for much over 20mins.

Horses. Confusing.

 

[chestnut cob]

It's difficult to say without seeing the horse but I would say go with your gut instinct. I think that if something is making you question your horse's soundness then speak to your vet.

I spent a long time saying that my horse was "just a bit stiff" and needed plenty of warming up. When it was investigated, he has spavins in both hocks which were obviously making him sore and also creating tension and resistance across his back and in his mouth.

 

[lochpearl]

I would see how he is ridden next time you can get on, it could be that he is a little stiff or has forgotten how to work after having time off due to the weather.

One of mine can be like 2 different horses, sometimes you need to work him every day to get a good tune out of him and 2 days off and he will be back to square one. Yet he hadn't been ridden for 2/3 weeks due to the weather and I rode him last night and he was like I'd been schooling him daily and foot perfect.

My other lad has had a lot of issues, collateral ligament damage in his coffin joints and arthroscopy on both of his stifles or OCD, after over a year off and box rest, treatments and the operations, he always feels fine whether I ride daily (15 mins in walk) or once a week, the only difference is he does loosen up behind the more he is worked, which is understandable. This is why I wonder if it is just the workload and lack of it with the weather.

If he has a tendency to stiffen up through his shoulders and go 'pottery' in front I would advise against side reins. Some horses naturally tense up in them, I would just try free lunging with bridle or headcollar, not putting any pressure on for the time being, just concentrating on getting him moving forward. I wouldn't do more than 20 mins on the lunge. Once you have got used to the lunging and he has, maybe try a pessoa type of aid to try and get him to stretch and work long and low.

How old is he and what is his breeding and history - what do you do with him etc.

 

[Nocturnal]

The first day I only lunged for about 10-15 minutes as he just wasn't interested after that! (lazy horse) and I didn't have much time. He was also being a bit of a twit so that probably didn't help. Just lunged him in a headcollar that day.

Yesterday I lunged him in his bridle and draw reins, for about 20 mins? He did seem to be better after I got him moving about the school more, trying to extend his trot in a straight line. He also seemed more balanced and was actually sorting himself out better yesterday actually, as he WAS more settled... Perhaps I'm just not giving him quite long enough then? Although I don't really want to lunge for much over 20mins.

Horses. Confusing.

Hmm, 10 mins is probably a bit too short to get a good picture, but 20 mins should be fine - I never lunge longer than that either. Are the draw reins over the back and between the legs, a la Kerilli? That should get him stretching down a bit. I use a pessoa for the same effect, and it works well. If he's been off for a while due to ice though I'd just lunge in a headcollar a couple of times to start with.

If he looks level then I'd imagine its nothing a good stretchy regime can't fix (but obv if your worried get him checked out) . Long and low under saddle should help, too.

 

[paulineh]

I personally would not lunge in draw reins. You want him to lengthen not shorten his back.

Draw reins will bring his front together where as if you used something like the Pessoa or such http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rope-and-Pull...t=UK_Horse_Wear_Equipment&hash=item255b6e0cee

This will make him use his back and lengthen his stride, open up his back.

It does not matter if he is short backed he should be using it properly.

I would also get a physio look at him.