Why does my horse hate being tacked up?

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trixiepixie

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My mare has recently started to misbehave when she is getting tacked up. She is fine when having her bridle put on but as soon as she sees the saddle she either lies down or tries to run away. She has had her back checked and all is ok, her saddle fits correctly and has a thick pad underneath. Does anyone have any suggestions why this sudden change?? She has always been a bit of a fidget but yesterday she just threw herself on the floor when tacked up and then panicked when she tried to get up. I am worried that she may hurt herself if this carries on
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Sounds like there's more to it - who checked her back? If the girth or saddle pinches her when being tacked up it may be catching a nerve and she has now associated the saddle with pain - hence her reluctance to let you near her with it. You need to get some expert help quickly before you do any damage.
 
Oh dear - sounds a bit extreme. Tbh if I was in this position I would want at least a second opion on her back. I'd get her saddle checked by a recommended saddler to make sure it fits. It sounds like there is something wrong to cause her to behave like this, so I'd keep checking if I were you.

If there was definitely nothing wrong or if you get the problem sorted and she's still nervous, I'd try placing a saddle cloth on her back for a few days. Just gently and keep doing it til she's happy. Once she's ok with this, I'd progress to a very light synthetic saddle (no girth or stirrups or anything) and just place it on her back then take it off again. Keep doing this until she's happy and progress until she's wearing a saddle again. Make sure when you girth up that you only do the girth up very loosly to start with. I always put mine on the loosest holes on the off side so it's nice and loose when it first goes on. There is nothing worse than clamping the girth up tight as soon as the saddles on the horses back.

Good luck - I hope you get her sorted out
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That really does sound like some back pain to me.

Easy to find out as well - do an exam yourself. Be quite firm in testing the back area she'll soon tell you where the pain is.
 
Once a horse learns it can throw its self on the floor to get out of something they WILL use it again. Sad but true. Its a dangerous vice, in a driving horse it means they cannot be used again. Be very careful tacking her up in future, you don't want to get crushed wheter she means it or not. Back pain is the main thing I can think or seeing as its a mare, is she in season? Swollen overies can be very painful and not too far back from the saddle in some horses.
 
Her back was checked by the vet in march and all was ok. she does not mind you putting pressure on her back at all and you can even lie across it. She is fine when being ridden also but seems its just tacking up time that she hates. I am not sure if it would be worth lunging her before I get on?? She is generally a happy horse and does not try to bite/kick when having her saddle on and doesn't tense up/dip her back - her girth is always done up loosely until she gets to the mounting block too
 
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Her back was checked by the vet in march and all was ok

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My horses back is seen regularly by a physio - his saddle was also checked last month. All was fine.

He is currently unrideable because of a progression of a back problem that was not presenting itself last month. He will let you ride him with or without a saddle. So that is no indication of back pain.

However, touch him in a particular spot on his back, and he will sit down. And has become progressively unhappy about being saddled.

Your horse is exhibiting pain - or a problem with the saddle. It's as simple as that.
 
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She has had her back checked and all is ok, her saddle fits correctly and has a thick pad underneath.

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Your horse is telling you otherwise. Perhaps she is more of an expert than your vet and your saddle fitter, if you've seen one.
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I would say the best one to say if there is pain is your horse. Sounds like severe pain to me. It realy would be worth getting other opinions until whatever it is can be found. I would not ride again until i found what was wrong. Good luck.
 
You say your saddle has been checked and you have a thick pad underneath it. Have you had the saddle checked WITH the pad underneath? If the saddle fits correctly then a thin saddlecloth is all that is sufficient. Maybe the pad is making the fit of the saddle too tight?
Just a thought
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because it hates you !!! nah - give it some time off and get back and saddle and teeth checked, sound slightly in need of a hol to me - it's how I get !!!
 
Sorry to hear about your problems and its good that you have asked your vet and had your saddle checked but I'd certainly recommend getting a 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinion from both vets, professional back people and saddle fitters. As your vet may not be as knowledgeable as someone that works with horses backs on daily basis.

The more experienced people you can get to check your horse the more likely you are of finding the problem, horses don't just change for no reason unless she is like someone said a crafty clever so and so and has learnt from doing one thing can result in not doing another, some horses are very intelligent but unless she's displayed such craftiness and intelligence in other areas then its most likely a reaction to an issue.

I would however if possible like someone suggested try her without a saddle, using a saddle cloth and roller ride her in a ménage (if this is possible) and see if she displays the same behaviour, but again don't just think because she's not done it straight away that she either wont or is not in any discomfort, some horses are gluttons for bearing pain and will stand it for so long and then suddenly say nope, enough is enough! some won't put up with it straight away. I take it you have checked her for sores and you are girthing her up really gently...sorry had to mention just in case. The problem could be actually underneath in her girthing area, hence why you should try bare back then bareback with roller etc.

Good luck and please do let us know how you go on.
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