When you know something just isn't right

[Fly_By_Wire]

A bit of a pointless post, but I'm just having a deflating few weeks, something just isn't right with P

She has been coming on leaps and bounds in the last few months, her contact and suppleness has improved dramatically, and her attitude to work has been awesome. Suddenly, over the last couple of weeks she's become really tense and shuffly on the flat, and much less willing to work with me. There's no lamemess, no bucking/rearing/bolting, I've just lost all of the softness that we've developed over the past few months. I initially assumed it was just a bad day, or the heat and tried to go back to basics with some lateral flexibility to loosen her through, but after no progress I just feel like something is sore somewhere.

Here starts the frustrating process of vet checks, teeth checks, physio and saddler, and hoping that one of them can find something to explain it! Until then, we're on hand walking and a bit of lunging in a cavesson to keep her ticking until we're confident she's not finding riding painful.

All fingers crossed for something straightforward.....

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

If her suppleness had improved and she was working better I’d be inclined to think she had built some muscle or changed shape and maybe the saddle doesn’t fit as well anymore?

Hope you find your answer quickly and it’s an easy fix!

 

[Fly_By_Wire]

If her suppleness had improved and she was working better I’d be inclined to think she had built some muscle or changed shape and maybe the saddle doesn’t fit as well anymore?

Hope you find your answer quickly and it’s an easy fix!

This is what I'm hoping for, I have my doubts as it's a brand new saddle fitted to her 8 weeks ago, I know the flocking settles in a new saddle initially but i'm struggling to believe that something that was perfect 8 weeks ago could be that uncomfortable now?

 

[Rowreach]

If this started a few weeks after getting a new saddle, I'd start with that.

 

[Squeak]

I'd agree with the others, saddle sounds a good place to start. If it's a completely different saddle to the one you were using previously be careful of assuming that because it fits it's not the problem.

 

[xxKatxx]

Fingers crossed it is something simple like the saddle - I had a new saddle and had to get it adjusted in only a few weeks after buying as the flocking settled much faster than expected (saddle fitted suggested 3 month check), and then had to have it re-topped up a few weeks after again so I definitely wouldn't rule out saddle yet.

 

[Fly_By_Wire]

Fingers crossed it is something simple like the saddle - I had a new saddle and had to get it adjusted in only a few weeks after buying as the flocking settled much faster than expected (saddle fitted suggested 3 month check), and then had to have it re-topped up a few weeks after again so I definitely wouldn't rule out saddle yet.

That's good to know! Fingers crossed that's all it is!

 

[Fly_By_Wire]

I'd agree with the others, saddle sounds a good place to start. If it's a completely different saddle to the one you were using previously be careful of assuming that because it fits it's not the problem.

It is completely different - it's a dressage saddle where she's always had a forward cut gp before, she's not really any better in the gp at the moment, but if the dressage has made her sore that doesn't really surprise me.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Agree with saddle first. Also what is her turnout like? With this weather being hot cold warm, then dry could she have tummy ache? The grass stops growing then comes through quick after the rain.

 

[Fransurrey]

This is what I'm hoping for, I have my doubts as it's a brand new saddle fitted to her 8 weeks ago, I know the flocking settles in a new saddle initially but i'm struggling to believe that something that was perfect 8 weeks ago could be that uncomfortable now?

It might not have been perfect 8 weeks ago, though. Most of the time it takes a few weeks for effects of an ill fitting saddle to manifest (however great it 'seems' to fit).

ETA: Do you still have the old saddle? Can you ride her in it after a physio session and a couple of weeks off?

 

[Wheels]

It could well be the saddle- even if something 'fits' it doesn't necessarily mean they will like the saddle etc.

I would get physio first and then saddle fitter a few days later - no point trying saddles on a sore or tight back because you may still get the same response until the tightness has been released.

 

[Upthecreek]

I can try on 10 pairs of shoes in a size 5, but it doesn’t mean they will all feel the same or be comfortable. I have had several instances over the years where perfectly fitted saddles were just not to the liking of the horse. You have changed to a completely different cut of saddle which may have changed your position and pressure points, so as others have said, I would investigate that first. I have tried several different dressage saddles on one of mine and although they fit perfectly I have yet to find one he is comfortable in.

 

[Carrottom]

I was chatting to the saddle fitter the other day about the difference to the horse between my dressage saddle and gp. He said the dressage would put more of the weight on a smaller area.

 

[Bernster]

Ah yes, I’ve been on that journey too, although in my case I’m pretty sure I know the one cause of possible discomfort (melanoma on his head potentially impacting him on the left rein), but I’ve been through 2 lameness work ups, 2 physios, 3 saddle fit visits, a new bridle, a dentist, a nutritionist and a short bute trial. Some of these were standard checks needed after Covid.

Nothing identified from any of these other than the good news that my horse is sound as a pound, in good nick, and I should crack on (apart from the melanoma but limited options on that one).

 

[Pedantic]

If everything checks out health wise, have you been doing the same stuff over and over, is she bored ?, maybe a change in what you are doing for a while.

 

[Fly_By_Wire]

Thanks for all the suggestions and considerations! I've had the vet and physio out this week - slightly sharp tooth with one medially displaced (now rectified), and a sore back, almost certainly down to the new saddle. It's been frustratingly difficult to get hold of my original saddler, so P is on non ridden work only until I can get another saddler out to fix the saddle issue.

On the bright side, P is a huge fan of the tens machine ?

Onwards and upwards, taking the opportunity to learn a little bit of in hand lateral work ?