Wanting to go home

[Stinkypinkbubbles]

My dale Katy who is 13yrs is fab . I've had her for 6 months but don't know any of her history except being bought Jan 15-sept 15 and thrashed at the borders common tidings by the previous owner.
After having years away I'm finally getting back into riding. Now in more confident in now cantering/galloping she has developed a tendency when on the way out a hack to repeatedly try and spin to come home. She stops listening to me and is quite determined . Her tail also constantly sits high and always to the left. No sign of being in season though.
My farrier watched a video of her and spotted her back maybe the problem. This could be her saddle . Could it possibly be just sore due to now being used properly and regularly instead of only occasionally therefore her muscles now being used n therefore bit sore ?
Would never want to hurt her. How do u know if a saddle isn't fitting properly ?
Please help a worried new mum

 

[Shay]

Ideally you should get saddle professionally checked at least every year if not every 6 months. That is the only way to be really sure that the saddle still fits. Most saddles are stuffed with material which packs down over time and so need to be "re-flocked" most years. Also the horse will change shape with the seasons, and with being in or out of work, all of which will combined to make a saddle which fitted before not fit now.

Your farrier is right in that holding the tail unusually higher or to one side is often a sign of pain - but it is one of the last and most visible (before she starts to buck you off!)

Most horses are very stoical. They don't show pain until the last possible minute because it might attract the attention of a predator if they look weak. You really need to get a qualified saddler out to check the saddle fit and fairly quickly if you can. Also possibly the vet or vet physio to assess her back and offer any treatment. It could be she's been in pain for a while and so she might need a bit of support.

Having said all that... napping on your hacks as you describe is not necessarily indicative of pain -although it could be. Always rule out pain first but you might then need to also look at other things around her and her environment. Are you going too far for her current fitness level? Is her diet adequate to the work you are asking her to do? Is she alone when she might benefit from another horse? or is she trying to get back to a best friend in the field? Loads of possibilities I'm afraid!

 

[Stinkypinkbubbles]

Ideally you should get saddle professionally checked at least every year if not every 6 months. That is the only way to be really sure that the saddle still fits. Most saddles are stuffed with material which packs down over time and so need to be "re-flocked" most years. Also the horse will change shape with the seasons, and with being in or out of work, all of which will combined to make a saddle which fitted before not fit now.

Your farrier is right in that holding the tail unusually higher or to one side is often a sign of pain - but it is one of the last and most visible (before she starts to buck you off!)

Most horses are very stoical. They don't show pain until the last possible minute because it might attract the attention of a predator if they look weak. You really need to get a qualified saddler out to check the saddle fit and fairly quickly if you can. Also possibly the vet or vet physio to assess her back and offer any treatment. It could be she's been in pain for a while and so she might need a bit of support.

Having said all that... napping on your hacks as you describe is not necessarily indicative of pain -although it could be. Always rule out pain first but you might then need to also look at other things around her and her environment. Are you going too far for her current fitness level? Is her diet adequate to the work you are asking her to do? Is she alone when she might benefit from another horse? or is she trying to get back to a best friend in the field? Loads of possibilities I'm afraid!

Thanks shay.
We have just bought a foal who is9 months old now n Katy is very attached to him so did wonder if she didn't want to leave him. I'm always out with a friend. I've got the vet coming on tues so I've not ridden her since thurs.
any idea wot a saddler would charge to come out ?
Thanks again

 

[Shay]

You're welcome!

Saddler call outs depend on your area. We're in Surrey and most do not charge separately for a call out - but a basic fit and re-flock will cost about £40. If you look on the Society of Master Saddler's website you can find a registered saddler near you. Or search these boards for a recommendation. Don't post your area because you've already given your age in another post!