Saddle rub - how long before riding again?

[GeeJay]

I was horrified to find a bald patch on my boy's back when I got back from a hack the other day. There was nothing there when I went out and it's not in a position where the saddle edges sit on his back so I haven't a clue how he got it. Anyway have got it covered and safe from flies but was just wondering how long I should leave it before riding again? Feel awful about the whole thing, as in all the years I have owned him this has never happened before, my poor boy :(

[shirley]

Ensure it heals properly at least before riding again. Also get his saddle checked as soon as you can and be sensative when it has healed, so perhaps check a slightly more padded pad underneath or gel pad.
Hope he gets better soon.

[GeeJay]

Thanks Shirley, I can see I am going to be doing a lot of in hand walking, oh well helps burn off the calories!

[bonesinmypocket]

also apply an ointment to it that will keep it moist- it will heal faster and leave less scarring. and i think lavender oil will help it grow hair rapidly- my neighbour puts this on her horses whenever one gets a scratch or something, and it never fails, in just a few days the hair will be growing in again! is your horse pretty 'bomb proof'? this could be a good time to play around with him, get him to walk on tarps or plastic, under umbrellas, through small openings, etc. that's what i do when i can't ride, you'll find your horse is a little braver when you're on his back again! good luck!
m

[nutkin]

Sometimes when a horse is changing its coat the numnah can rub and cause sores. Could this possibly be the case here.

[Kanuma]

dont worry it happens to the best of us!
it happened to me once, i put a different girth on pride one day, it was one of stans leather ones so i know it has been cleaned regularly and is very very supple, when i got home after a 30 min ride, i found he had girth galls on both sides, to this day not sure what caused them and they have never happened again even when he wore the same girth again.
i wouldnt put a saddle on him till it has healed over, and when it has for a couple of weeks i would put an extra thick numnah on him

[shirley]

If your saddle can take it perhaps a poly pad would be advisable when you start riding again.

[GeeJay]

Thanks everyone. I've been putting Cornucrecine on it so hopefully that will make the hairs grow faster.

Bonesinmypocket, he is 99% bombproof so I'm very lucky on that score. He loves going for walks in hand anyway so we will just do lots of that.

Shirley I was actually using a poly pad at the time so I'm at a bit of a loss as how to proceed on that score - never a dull moment with horses is there?!