Uneven back muscles?

[Florrie]

Tag has quite uneven muscles in his back. For example when he has a saddle on, it'll sit fine on one side however on the other side (right) it lifts quite substantially where there is lack of muscle (approx 1" off his back)
Under his saddle he's currently got a Prolite back riser pad to make life a bit comfier for him whilst riding.
I'm lunging him on the rein where the back muscle is wasted, encouraging him to work long and low throughout his body. Also doing carrot stretches.

Is it worth getting the physio out to investigate or just keep doing stretches and see how he goes?
He is in no pain or discomfort with his back and showing no pain related behaviour.

 

[philamena]

I would. All horses have some asymmetry but that sounds quite extreme, and though it may be fine and may never cause a problem, equally these things can be progressive, or a sign of something else... or even if all's fine now, over the long term the lack of equality in strength can be putting strain on one leg / joint or the other which risks leading to soundness problems later with wear and tear... Always worth a check in my book!

 

[be positive]

A physio will be able to loosen up the muscles much more effectively than you can, this really needs doing if you are going to make progress.

Carrot stretches can help, tummy lifts are also good, lunging on both reins equally to use the muscles properly but really without professional help you may find little improvement.

Often the area that shows as wastage is referred from another area, for example if he is not using his hocks properly it can cause muscle wastage under the saddle.

 

[Florrie]

Okay thanks

I've been taking into consideration the fact when he finished racing he did nothing but sit in a field for 2 years and went on a hack once a month. Since I've bought him he's been slowly brought back into work and schooling him up. He works well from behind and through his back and I was thinking maybe the muscles in the right side of his back hasn't had time to catch up due to the extreme amount of time he had off after racing? He is developing muscle on his back just not as quickly as the other side so I think the muscle tissue may need stimulating.

Will call physio tomorrow!

 

[be positive]

It sounds as if you are doing well so far but the help a good physio can give will make it all so much easier for you as well as your horse.

 

[philamena]

Yes, and if he's building muscle and getting stronger, you're much better getting any underlying problem spotted and sorted now, as the more he develops not quite straight the more you may have to undo later! Quite often underlying stuff doesn't show up until they're getting stronger and building up, so i think you're doing the right thing getting him checked. It also stops you worrying and that's worth it, cus we worry about them enough already!

 

[han4]

My pony has this, had physio out and they did a massage on her back and taught me how to do it and told me how long and when to do it etc, she still has uneven muscles though, saddle also slips

 

[Florrie]

My pony has this, had physio out and they did a massage on her back and taught me how to do it and told me how long and when to do it etc, she still has uneven muscles though, saddle also slips

My pony had extreme asymmetry when we first bought him (due to ill fitting saddles in the past) and within 8 months of massaging and stretching exercises his back turned out so much better, its still slightly uneven but not as extreme as it was.