A “cold back” has nothing to do with your horse’s body temperature. Rather, it describes a general soreness in a horse’s back muscles that subsides after he begins to move. A cold-backed horse sometimes “sinks” as the rider mounts, hollowing his back to avoid the pressure. Other signs of back soreness include cow-kicking when the girth is tightened or bucking just after being mounted. As the muscles stretch and flex and circulation increases, however, the horse usually improves dramatically.
How To Address a Cold Back
If your horse shows cold-backed behaviors, there are a few initial steps you can take to help him out. First, try tightening the girth gradually—one hole at a time instead of one big pull. Longeing the horse for a few minutes to loosen up his back before he has to bear a rider’s weight can also help.
But a cold back is not normal and shouldn’t be dismissed as a behavioral quirk. It is a sign of a problem with saddle fit, the rider’s technique, the horse’s conformation, or a combination of all three. To root out the cause and eliminate it for good, you’ll have to do a thorough assessment of the situation:
- Check the fit of the saddle and any pads you are using. A poor fit that concentrates pressure in a small area, such as a too-small saddle, can quickly “chill” a back. A better-fitting saddle is the best cure.
- Assess the horse’s overall fitness and “carriage” under saddle. Horses that are ridden infrequently or in a “hollow” frame might not develop sufficient back muscles to carry a rider comfortably. More frequent riding, coupled with specific techniques to encourage the horse to stretch and “lift” his back, strengthens the muscles that bear the rider’s weight.
- Consider the conformation of your horse’s back. A back that is proportionately too long, swayed, or roached has inherent weaknesses for which you’ll need to compensate. A custom-fitted saddle and appropriate pad in combination with a consistent fitness regime are critical for the health of structurally weak backs.
Take-Home Message
If a saddle adjustment and strengthening exercises don’t improve your horse’s back comfort, it’s a wise idea to get your veterinarian involved. He or she can help you pinpoint the issue and come up with an effective management plan.
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This article originally appeared on EquusMagazine.com.
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