Everything You Need To Know About Horses

Does Your Horse Have a Sore Back ?

If your horse has been acting up under saddle lately, it may be his only way of telling you that his back hurts. The below behaviors are often associated with back pain:

• Bucking during upward transitions, particularly transitions to the canter or lope. The push and lift required to execute a crisp transition can be a real trial to an already pained back. If the rider sits a bit heavier during an upward transition, bucking becomes a reasonable option to an uncomfortable horse.
• Refusing to stand during mounting. A once mannerly horse who abruptly begins walking off when mounted might be suffering from soreness typically referred to as cold back. You may alleviate some of the discomfort by using a mounting block, but this will not address the underlying problem.
• Jumping mistakes or refusals. A seasoned, formerly reliable jumper who begins to rush fences, or refuse to jump may be suffering a sore back. Jumping, particularly fences higher than 3 feet, requires rounding the back and thrusting from the hindquarters, both of which can exacerbate back pain.
• Difficulty in negotiating hills. Tacling inclines and slopes requires a horse to engage his hind end and utilize his back muscles. A back sore horse might resist climbing or descending hills, slow down noticeably or take the grades sideways to ease the stress.
• Reluctant sliding stops. A reining horse with back pain might be unwilling to sit down in his slides and stops. The extreme rounding of the back required to execute this maneuver can be nearly intolerable for a horse with back pain.

Arrange a veterinary appointment to evaluate your horse’s back discomfort.