What do I do? Please help

[My_breadbagel]

My horse hasn’t been 100% for the last week and is (almost) due for both saddle fitter and physio. He’s not been as keen for a fortnight. I can’t pinpoint it, or say it’s anything in particular. Nothing disruptive, not so much as a raised back, but I want to be sure he’s okay. Both are booked in coming months and neither can come any sooner. I’m panicking because I feel like I can’t/ shouldn’t ride him in case I’ve caught the beginnings of something early and I’m terrified of not riding (all of his lovely top line & muscle will be lost) and of riding (cue flashbacks to nasty falls). Can my vet find anything? I regularly adjust his saddle gullet at home with help for my saddler and I’ve always been so so careful with him riding wise.
to make matters worse I’m going to uni in September so my time with him riding wise is limited. I feel like I’m caving in.

 

[PurBee]

If it were me, i’d not ride until the physio/saddle fitter, and would lunge/school/in the field liberty training/exercises non-ridden to keep him fit/be involved with him, for 4 weeks until the booked sessions.
I tend to follow my gut when a horse seems ‘off’, as it usually turns out to be something.

As an aside, the pollen count at the moment is peaking higher as plants set seed, maybe he’s having a slight allergy pollen reaction and that’s causing a loss of spark in him? When my immune system is tackling lots of midge bites, those days i notice my energy is far less, i get headaches, some nausea, and my job is physical, so the effects of immune system peaking are more noticeable to me than on chill-out sedentary days off.
Has he previously during early summer had issues like this?

 

[Wizpop]

Take a deep breath! And then get your vet to do a full lameness work up as a start…….If there is anything going on, you know that you need to know. Waiting for the saddle fitter / physio is only going to add to your current anxiety and might not be the best thing for your horse in the long run. Do hope you can find out if there’s a problem and that you can get it sorted.

 

[meleeka]

A vet will be able to tell you if there’s any tightness in his back so that’s a good place to start. They’ll also be able to spot any slight lameness which may not be obvious. I’m sure they’ll also be able to visit a lot quicker so it’ll be worth the expense just to put your mind at rest, if nothing else.

 

[My_breadbagel]

If it were me, i’d not ride until the physio/saddle fitter, and would lunge/school/in the field liberty training/exercises non-ridden to keep him fit/be involved with him, for 4 weeks until the booked sessions.
I tend to follow my gut when a horse seems ‘off’, as it usually turns out to be something.

As an aside, the pollen count at the moment is peaking higher as plants set seed, maybe he’s having a slight allergy pollen reaction and that’s causing a loss of spark in him? When my immune system is tackling lots of midge bites, those days i notice my energy is far less, i get headaches, some nausea, and my job is physical, so the effects of immune system peaking are more noticeable to me than on chill-out sedentary days off.
Has he previously during early summer had issues like this?

I really don’t want to lunge, and he’s extremely pleased with plodding around the village which is easy going, so I’ll probably do that.
he does have a sensitivity to pollen, but he just felt weird while schooling. Like he was leaning towards the gate. When I let him go he just went to the gate and stood there. I have no reason to worry I guess, maybe he just wants to hack as it’s so hot out, but he’s such a good horse that he wouldn’t grumble until the last second when he can’t contain it any more.

 

[Red-1]

Mine just had a saddle issue, he had been going well and had muscled up. The normal saddler couldn't come out so he had 2 weeks off while I sorted an alternative.

Saddle sorted, horse back in work, had a physio check him over once he was back in work, all clear, back happily XC/SJ, jumping better than ever and just won his first prelim dressage.

I am glad I took him out of work until the issue was sorted. I am also glad I sourced an alternative saddler as I preferred not to wait months!

 

[My_breadbagel]

A vet will be able to tell you if there’s any tightness in his back so that’s a good place to start. They’ll also be able to spot any slight lameness which may not be obvious. I’m sure they’ll also be able to visit a lot quicker so it’ll be worth the expense just to put your mind at rest, if nothing else.

I think your right, I’ll call them. I just worry so much about him as he’s so perfect these days and I don’t want to undo my progress or his.

 

[My_breadbagel]

Take a deep breath! And then get your vet to do a full lameness work up as a start…….If there is anything going on, you know that you need to know. Waiting for the saddle fitter / physio is only going to add to your current anxiety and might not be the best thing for your horse in the long run. Do hope you can find out if there’s a problem and that you can get it sorted.

I just feel so alone. I’m not on a yard which is great most of the time, but sometimes it feels so overwhelming. Waiting for the saddler/ physio wouldn’t upset me if I felt brave enough to hire someone else to fill in, but I’m so paranoid. Anyone free this short notice might not be so good, and will only make the situation worse

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Agree with the others, vet for a lameness work up. This time of year the grass and weather can do funny things to horses digestive systems amongst other things. It can make them feel ridiculously spooky but it can also make their tummies feel tight giving the impression the horse us overall tight and not quite right. You are a great owner for noticing something isn't right.

 

[Ratface]

Another one for getting the equine vet out. I always prefer to know as much as possible, rather than catastrophise about what it might be. Also, an equine vet should be able to advise on immediate treatment as well as what will support rehabilitation, going forward.
I hope it all goes well.

 

[Wizpop]

I just feel so alone. I’m not on a yard which is great most of the time, but sometimes it feels so overwhelming. Waiting for the saddler/ physio wouldn’t upset me if I felt brave enough to hire someone else to fill in, but I’m so paranoid. Anyone free this short notice might not be so good, and will only make the situation worse

Once you have called the vet and have a plan, you will feel less overwhelmed as you will know what you are dealing with. It’s the unknown that can be scary!!

 

[My_breadbagel]

Agree with the others, vet for a lameness work up. This time of year the grass and weather can do funny things to horses digestive systems amongst other things. It can make them feel ridiculously spooky but it can also make their tummies feel tight giving the impression the horse us overall tight and not quite right. You are a great owner for noticing something isn't right.

Thank you, seems like overthinking has some positive effects. Although I will d Call the vet, I am slightly concerned about what my vet might “find”. Last year she proudly told me my horse “might” be arthritic when it was just a tight muscle. Once it was released he was back to normal, so it makes me think that what they find might not be accurate.

 

[Wishfilly]

Could you ride him bareback? That might give you an indication as to whether something is up with the saddle?

I think it's worth getting a vet out, as they might be helpful if it's something obvious (to them)?

 

[magicmoments]

Thank you, seems like overthinking has some positive effects. Although I will d Call the vet, I am slightly concerned about what my vet might “find”. Last year she proudly told me my horse “might” be arthritic when it was just a tight muscle. Once it was released he was back to normal, so it makes me think that what they find might not be accurate.

If you can book to see Tom Beech oesteopathic vet, I can heartily recommend. My horse has been incredibly reactive to touch recently, mainly due to the grass in her case. Tom looks beyond the obvious, to find what is causing it.

 

[canteron]

Try and make this into a positive - not easy I know - but swot up on ground work, maybe teach a trick or two (try the 'magic way to get on by TRT) or learn how to do great shoulder in or whatever from the ground or become a champion long reiner. If you have a basic understanding there are resources on line.

You could come out of it with a whole new load of skills?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Mine just had a saddle issue, he had been going well and had muscled up. The normal saddler couldn't come out so he had 2 weeks off while I sorted an alternative.

Saddle sorted, horse back in work, had a physio check him over once he was back in work, all clear, back happily XC/SJ, jumping better than ever and just won his first prelim dressage.

I am glad I took him out of work until the issue was sorted. I am also glad I sourced an alternative saddler as I preferred not to wait months!

What did you go with in the end?

 

[Red-1]

What did you go with in the end?

A Stride Free jump saddle.

He loves it and life is to short for standing on the sidelines. I was lucky enough to get it as a 6 month old one though, so much cheaper than new. Phew!

The leather is gorgeous. The tree is designed to be forgiving to a wide boned horse. I was jumping in it again today, in fact!