Sore backed Rusty

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USpony

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Jan 7, 2015
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I had been using a Soft Saddle on my 12.1 hand pony, Rusty. I check his back for soreness every time I groom him and late last week he hollowed out his back away from the curry comb, which he has never has never done before. The saddle isn't proportioned for ponies and set me just a little too far back on Rusty's back causing soreness.

I have stopped using the saddle and when I resume riding I'll use my Best Friend's bareback pad. He has never shown any soreness from me riding him bareback. I can more easily put myself in the correct position, whereas the saddle was forcing me into an area.

I have never had a sore backed horse before. I'm not sure how to handle the situation. I have stopped riding until the soreness goes away. I have been hand walking him, is that ok? Today I gently massaged along his top line hoping to work out the soreness. Good idea? If it would help him I could massage his back several times a day until he is better, then then I would do it before and after rides on a regular basis. Getting help from a professional isn't an option right now, since I'm a poor college student for one more year.

He doesn't show discomfort until I press in that certain spot on his loin area so I hope his problem is mild.

I want to start jogging and I would like him to jog with me (when it is safe for him) so we can both be more fit (with me on the ground and Rusty jogging beside me).

I know he is a 12.1 hand pony and I am a 140 pound 5.2 adult, but my weight has never been an issue for him before. I really think the saddle was inappropriate for him. I appreciate some guidance on this one.
 
I know it is not what you want to hear, but if you are responsible for a pony you need to ensure that they get medical attention when they need it. You need a professional to come and assess your pony and advise on a course of treatment, and you then need a saddle fitter to come and fit an appropriate saddle. No-one can advise you on how to massage your ponys back over the internet, you can do more harm than good interfering if you do not know what you are doing.
 
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Come on MP - she's only asking for a bit of help.
While I do agree that if something is wrong, pony ill/sore or whatever then of course the OP is responsible I don't necessarily think she needs to be fetching a specialist right now. She did say she hasn't ridden since she noticed that the saddle was causing a problem.
Firstly @USpony it's good that you have noticed something wrong with your pony and secondly that you have stopped riding him in the saddle you were using, I can't explain how to massage your pony but I doubt giving him a gentle massage along his muscles will do him any harm, Belle gets regular massages from me and she is still just dandy.
Hand walking him or jogging with him won't hurt either, or you could long line too.
I do agree that getting a saddle fitter out once the soreness has eased off and absolutely get a professional out to check him over if he's no better with a bit of time off, regardless of how much it costs you really do owe it to your pony to take care of him when you need too.
If you don't have the funds for a properly fitted saddle then ride in the bareback pad until you do if he goes happily and doesn't suffer.
 
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Well done for noticing your pony is sore and stopping riding :) I think it's defiantly worth saving up and getting a saddle fitter out, ill fitting saddles can cause quite a lot of damage. If he carries on showing signs of being sore getting a professional out as well. Unfortunately it's just part of owning horses, they are expensive. It's useful if you can save up so you have a fund for times like this.

Wouldn't like to say if you could harm his back massaging, maybe if you need to ask you shouldn't do it. Very gentle massaging like Kite_Rider above said would probably be fine but not sure it'd be a lot of help either, but I'm no specialist.
 
I will have Rusty looked at when I can. In the mean time I will only work with him from the ground unless the soreness resolves itself.
 
Having ridden in the saddle you speak off it did encourage me to sit more western, but with my weight behind my legs and not in alignment. It's a medium or a large and on a 12.1hh I would think it's way too long.

Depending on how big/tall you are, you may need a 15" or 15.5" English saddle for the pony. Or a 13" seat western. I can't actually fit into either these days. But I may look into alternative treeless that's are short based with ample seat. If that's still a non starter its bareback and admitting the fact that you are not compatible to use a saddle.

Is Rusty living out unrugged, could the soreness be a touch of rainscald? The most obvious reason isn't always the problem.
 
Jane&Ziggy, thank you for the link and the encouragement. I can't wait to check it out.

Newforest, I agree the Soft Saddle was too long for him. I feel bad for making that mistake but I will never let it happen again. I think the Soft Saddle could still be fine for a bigger pony or a full size horse. My plan once I am through nursing school is to get a real treeless for Rusty (Ghost or Barefoot probably). I would even get a professional saddle fitting to be sure it is not too long. I will be a registered nurse in a year and many things will improve for Rusty and our family. Until then I guess it is bareback, once the soreness is resolved, of course. I will use the time to work on getting perfect balance.

I don't think the soreness could be rainscald but I will look again in the morning.
 
You won't break your horse by giving a massage, so long as you listen when the tell you something is sore.

In your situation I would massage gently a couple of times a day, keep him moving gently (going for walks should be fine as long as not up a mountain) and keep the sore muscles warm so they stay relaxed :)
 
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I applaud you wanting him to be comfortable. Just to say though that treeless saddles can be difficult for short backed ponies. I struggled to find one that would fit Ziggy (short backed 14.2) and me (short legged, 140lb 5 ft 2). We ended up with a treed saddle and he is very happy in it.
 
Jesse, sounds good to me. Don't worry about mountains in my area. Nothing but flat land here.

Jane&Ziggy, what brands of treeless did you try? I may have to face that I can't ride Rusty with a saddle. His back is very short. I grew up riding my ponies bareback so it isn't the end of the world. Of course I will still be able to drive him. I'm just glad to be able to have a pony at this point in my life. Someday I'm sure Rusty will have a lovely 14 hand friend.
 
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We tried Barefoot, Freeform, and a couple of others. The best fit was a Startrekk (German brand) Barok, the Spanish-style saddle, but in my novice state I couldn't manage the high pommel and I couldn't afford it either!
 
I haven't had my hands on one, but I have seen them in use in the show ring. Some judges don't like them, but I guess that's normal with treeless anyway.
 
A quick update on Rusty. His soreness is improving with walking inhand several times a week and a light massage everyday. He loves his massage and goes to sleep while I am doing it.
 
USpony said:
A quick update on Rusty. His soreness is improving with walking inhand several times a week and a light massage everyday. He loves his massage and goes to sleep while I am doing it.
Click to expand...
Well that's great to hear, It certainly sounds like he's loving his pampering. Glad he's on the mend and hope you can soon get back to riding with the bareback pad. :)
 
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