What do you think when someone uses the term

Can also mean the rider, or a previous rider, mounts like a sack of potatoes, slapping their backside into the saddle instead of lowering their weight gently using their stirrups.

But the first "cold backed" horse I bought, of three I've had, had kidney failure. One of the other two had kissing spines and the other almost certainly did too but I didn't cotton on until after he was sold, as they weren't well known at the time.

I wouldn't knowingly buy another.
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My horse back in the 90s - always girthed up slowly in stages and would lead round before getting on and then be very careful for the first few minutes. Show jumped and shown to decent levels winning until in his late teens. Never had any diagnosed back issues so who knows.
 
My boy used to scuttle off with a hunched back when you first got on until I finally found a saddle that fit! Bless his heart. Sorry I didn’t work it out sooner fella. RIP best boy Pete!
 
hock said:
I read a post on FB today about a saddle fitter using the term. I thought, FFS you’re a professional using that term?
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Obviously I've not seen the context but two thoughts. First, that it does accurately and in a way that's understandable by the vast majority of people, describe a symptom, a behaviour.

Second I do realise the fitter may not have used it in that context and if not then I probably agree, but holy moly, like we fitters don't have enough to worry about with getting slated left right and centre...
 
sbloom said:
Obviously I've not seen the context but two thoughts. First, that it does accurately and in a way that's understandable by the vast majority of people, describe a symptom, a behaviour.

Second I do realise the fitter may not have used it in that context and if not then I probably agree, but holy moly, like we fitters don't have enough to worry about with getting slated left right and centre...
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Precisely!

Whatever the underlying issue (physical, dislike of saddle pad, memory of poor rider) we all know what it means.

I quite happily use the phrase for both my mares. I know why they are like that because both have had investigations but telling a saddler we need to girth up very, very slowly because she's cold backed is understood.
 
To me it means the horse is uncomfortable and it hasn't been diagnosed.

I went with a friend to view a horse a few years ago they said the horse was a bit cold backed, they tacked it up very slowly and walked it in hand for a bit before getting on.

Told her not to buy it she did and after a few months I think because the horses whole management had changed it broke down.

It had multiple issues main one being kissing spine and grade 4 ulcers.
 
There’s nothing wrong in using the term anyone sensible knows what it means a uncomfortable horse telling you he’s uncomfortable .
In times past grooms lead horses around before there owners got on them there was a reason for they where sore and lived sore .
The first yard i worked on was very traditional and we still led horses around before mounting .
Not all horses who put there backs down have sore backs hock spavin can cause that as well .

I dont mind the term but I do mind it being used as an excuse to do nothing .
 
I think it depends on context.

I'd use the term when I don't want to divulge too much information about a horse of mine or a horse I was involved with regardless of what investigations mah or may not be taking place - I'm thinking other liveries I'm not actually friends with whose opinions I'd never ask for!
 
sbloom said:
Obviously I've not seen the context but two thoughts. First, that it does accurately and in a way that's understandable by the vast majority of people, describe a symptom, a behaviour.

Second I do realise the fitter may not have used it in that context and if not then I probably agree, but holy moly, like we fitters don't have enough to worry about with getting slated left right and centre...
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I think the use of terminology (for me personally) is really important from professionals. The use of that term tells me everything I need to know. Great for me as I’d swerve them but yes I do have a problem with its use especially “new skool”, as the term describes a symptom of a behaviour that is pain related.

It’s a term used to soften the blow, to be hidden behind.

This post isn’t about slating a saddler, it’s about me being disappointed that term is used by a pro, when in my mind it has no place just like bridle lameness etc.
 
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