Young horse humps his back when I first get on

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Paddi's Mum

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My 31/2 - 4 yo always seems to hump his back with his head down when I walk him the first few strides of our hack, after that his is fine> He feels like he's going to buck, but hasnt done yet.
I have had his saddle fitted professionally, he has done it with various saddles, but havent as yet had his back check which I do plan to do.
Has anyone else had this experience? Is it a young horse balance thing? Sometimes he's a little nappy going out of the yard but I can usually get his going on ok.
I have had confidence issues and his humping does un-nerve me a little, but he walks, trots and canters fine out on hacks.
Any ideas?
 
He sounds cold backed to me - try getting his back and teeth checked just to be sure.

We have an ancient hunter who has always been cold backed, and I'm afraid with him we've just had to learn to deal with it. He gets tacked up first if more than one horse is going out, and always goes on the walker for ten minutes before being ridden. He humps out of the yard and does put in the odd buck or leap, but by the time we're at the end of the drive, he's fine.

Try tacking him up, leaving him to stand for a minute or so and relax, and then walking him out in hand or lunging him for ten minutes or so before you get on. You could also try mounting from a very high block - it makes a real difference with Hammy if you don't have to put a foot in the stirrup to mount, and just sort of lower yourself onto his back.

Good luck!
 
A lot of youngsters are like this as they have not built up their back muscles or strength in the back.
First of all NEVER get on from the floor always make sure you get on from a mounting block or gate as this makes the experience more pleasant for them and secondly as soon as you get on do not sit in the saddle and ask them to move forwards standing out of the saddle this gets them used to the weight without a weight directly on their back and after about 1 minute you can sit down and they will be fine.
 
Make sure you don't over tighten his girth, you should be able to slide the flat of your hand under it easily with it done up.

I once took a horse for a weeks schooling; the client came for a lesson and left the horse after still tacked up. The girth was so tight I thought I was going to have to cut it off.
A common fault.
 
If all is well physically i would also look at the girth being overtight. It may help to do some stretches with him and turn him in a tight circle (aim at his flanks and get the inside back leg stepping under him on both reins) when he is tacked up and you are ready to get on. :)
 
My lad did this the first few times I got on him and he had done it at his last home too. However he no longer does it, I use a wow saddle, sheepskin pad and a high mounting block. I also tack him up and try and put the saddle on whilst his back is still warm from the rug.

Good luck!
 
Hi
Thanks for all your quick replys. I am using a webbing humane girth, I like these as you can just pull up one girth strap at a time so have more flexibility with tightening the girth. I dont do the girth up very tight before I get on as its always very loose when Ive mounted. I do stand him still after Ive mounted and tigthen the girth and wait for a minute and he's fine, it just seems that he humps up when we first move off.
I also saddle up immediately after removing the rug, infact I usually just put the rug on his rump and then put it back over the saddle so he doesnt get cold.
As far as his breeding is concerned, I dont know a lot except that he's Irish, I think he has quite a bit of Irish Draught in him as he's has good bone and appears to be quite a good doer, although he was very underweight when I had him nearly a year ago. He also seems very laid back in character.
I did used to ride a 20 year old mare who used to hump her back when she first moved off.
 
I would certainly try a leather girth (one of the squishy ones, not a balding type) as I have known several horses which object to the grippiness of webbing or synthetic girths. Have a feel of the skin in the girth area behind the horse's right elbow and see if he is at all sensitive there. Sometimes you can feel a little tearing in the muscle fascia just there where pressure is put when you get on the horse (assuming you do so from the left) and when you ride him, due to the way horses carry their saddles. Worth a look anyway :)
 
LEC said:
A lot of youngsters are like this as they have not built up their back muscles or strength in the back.
First of all NEVER get on from the floor always make sure you get on from a mounting block or gate as this makes the experience more pleasant for them and secondly as soon as you get on do not sit in the saddle and ask them to move forwards standing out of the saddle this gets them used to the weight without a weight directly on their back and after about 1 minute you can sit down and they will be fine.
Click to expand...

Ditto this, my 4yo who was backed in June can do this, as can his 1/2 brother who is the same age. I just make sure I am very light to start with then gradually increase my weight in the saddle
 
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