Would a roach back put you off?

[measles]

Would it put you off if everything else was right and the horse passed a vetting?

Also in cr.

 

[Louby]

Suppose it depended on how bad it was. I seen one where it would have been almost impossible to fit a saddle.

 

[tashpritty]

can i ask exactly what do you mean by roached back?
something ive not heard of before

 

[PrettyPiaffe]

yes, there are plenty of horses out there without them so i wouldnt buy one that had one.

 

[measles]

The spine is higher than normal behind the saddle and into the croup. This horse under saddle looks completely normal but she looks less conventional when she's naked.

 

[lilym]

Yes it would - i just don't like the look of it.

 

[Grey_Showjumper]

I think one of ours is roached back, either that or he has a bump behind his saddle and withers too far back!
anyway, he is one of the best polo ponys we have owned, he has won all sorts of awards at high goal.. he gallops for england- very rapid!
so i think it would depend on the horse, how much it affected them... we got a buy one get one free deal with him and another mare who is also very nice but because of his appauling confo. he is worth not much!

 

[Bedlam]

Yes - plenty of good horses around at good prices without conformational faults.

 

[milliepops]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes it would - i just don't like the look of it.

[/ QUOTE ]

tbh, this ^^^ for me too

It would have to be a pretty special horse I think. And I would expect it to have an impact on future value if you needed to sell the horse on.

 

[Binkybex]

Depends on how bad it was, My 14'2" event pony had a roach back when he was 4 and in poor condition, If you bulked him up and got him fit it almost disappears, He went on to be the best little all-rounder you could ask for and would walk off with any hunter/working hunter class he also came 2nd in the pony club pony of the year at a very large pony show. So it really does depend on severity and price of course

 

[Ali1963]

I have a totally wonderful mare with a roach back, saddle fitting has been difficult but that's partly due to where I live.

 

[cavalo branco]

Yes. Saddle fitting can be difficult and they can be uncomfortable to ride. Sorry

 

[Quadro]

yes, espically if it was a jumping horse, you may run into back probs

 

[TheMule]

No, so long as there's plenty of range of movement in the spine- I've known some roached backs to be totally rigid and it makes it hard for the horse to be athletic.
I rode a very good grade A sjer with the worst roach back I've ever seen- it didnt affect him one bit but you did constantly feel like you were going down hill!!

 

[JustMe22]

Theoretically I'd say yes. But our 14.2hh pony has a roach back. It isn't severe, and with muscle it becomes really quite hard to notice.

Still, he passed the vet check really easily, and I must say he moves up there with the top ponies and he has a really good natural jump. He's comfortable as anything to ride, haven't had any issues with his saddle really.

But yes, I'd be very careful about buying one

 

[measles]

Thanks everyone. You've helped me make up
mind.