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  Discussion on Mystery back soreness
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New Member:
mazzco

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 13, 2016 - 3:54 pm:

I accidentally posted this on another discussion, sorry. My 12 yr TB gelding, who I bred and raised, has always had training issues, meaning not wanting to be on the bit, not wanting to collect, difficult in transitions, etc. Over the years numerous vets have examined him without finding. The past many years, he has been exhibiting signs of Kissing Spine. I had not heard of it but in my frustration the last week, I was googling to find some disease that was explaining his behavior. I have done all sort of therapies, saddle changes, and he has improved this past year for a number of months with these therapies but now he is back to the same behavior. He is sound on lunge, and in flexion exams. When he sees the saddle, he starts to paw, has always stepped away when you want to mount and refuses to trot, tries to rear. Had vet out today and there is no evidence of kissing spine on the xrays. Now I am totally stumped, is there another disease or disorder that would cause him to be so inconsistent and portray these symptoms like kissing spine? His muscle tone is fine, no atrophy, but some vets have said he looks borderline neurological, but still inconclusive. I don't know what else to do but this is so frustrating. I simply cannot believe he wakes up one morning and says I don't want to do this anymore. I think there is an underlying condition but no one can seem to find the cause. I am open to any and all suggestions. Thanks.
Member:
lsweeney

Posted on Tuesday, Sep 13, 2016 - 4:30 pm:

We have a 20 year old mare that we have had since she was a yearling. We ride mostly during the summer, on the weekends, and not every weekend. We go on casual, walk only, smell-the-roses rides. I had a saddle fitted for the horse for my husband.

She has never had any evidence of saddle sores.

When we saddle her, she is very cinchy, gnashing her teeth, etc. You would think she was a pack mule or a rent string who works 24/7. I have always chalked this up to "I don't want to carry your as*&% around."

When we feed, she follows us to the hay barn with her ears pinned. She will frequently brush her lips against my back in an act of thinking about biting me. If I turn around saying usually something like "don't even think about it", she will immediately put her ears into a non-threatening posture, like.....what?

When we do ride, she is fine and doesn't give me any indication that she is in pain. We pack carrots in our saddle bags, and we do get the "put another quarter in the machine if you want me to go farther" routine.

My horses are VERY spoiled.

Is it possible that he just doesn't want to be part of the riding program?

I don't ride in an arena any more - we only camp and trail ride, but when I did, I had horses that didn't want to enter the arena. The arena was not a fun thing for them.

My horses behave VERY differently depending on where we are. When we go to Lake Tahoe at our cabin, there are no other horses there, and all the trails go up to higher elevations. They hate it there. Nothing good to eat on the trail. Always uphill. No exciting horses that they might meet.

I then take them to a horse camp with other equestrians. Boy is there a difference. We are excited! We went on a ride with another gelding. First we had pinned ears, threatening behavior. (They don't get out much.) They wanted this gelding to know that they didn't want any part of him. So we put him out front. I haven't seen these horses move this fast. They were prancing, trying to keep up with him, while keeping a wary eye on him though. They love all of the social drama when we camp with a group.

Have you tried him out on the trail in a relaxed environment where he doesn't have to "work".
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Sep 14, 2016 - 4:40 pm:

Welcome mazzco,
You say this condition has really always been a problem and after making serious attempts at fixing the problem nothing has helped. What are your goals and if this horse is not helping consider using a horse with one that is. Does the problem improve with two weeks of pain meds? Have you considered trying this horse with another trainer that has a reputation for handling horses? Last you could consider a referral to a veterinary hospital that specializes in pain issues but my first thought is my best thought on the subject.
DrO
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