Our Readers Ask
October, 2003:
Dear Friends:
It is with a sad heart that we write to you, our supporters, to request your help. We are finding more and more cases of abuse in our area that need our assistance. We have several newly rescued horses, many of which came to us starved and abused. These horses need supplements, vet care and and an abundance if fiid abd kive, We humbly ask for your assistance in making a donation to help us meet all their needs.
If you would like to send a check or money order, we are happy to accept it. Or if it is easier for you, we are happy to accept gift certificates to Waqueros Feed Store on the I-10 Frontage Road, at Prince and I-10. Your donations are tax-deductable and if you will include your return address with your donationa, we are happy to provide you with a receipt.
Your support means a great deal to us, as donations have been low this year. Perhaps this is due to the poor condition of the economy. We welcome visitors and hope that you will visit us in cyberspace as well at Petfinder.com.
Thank you so much,
Unconditional Love, Animal Rescue
501c3 Non-profit / No-kill shelter
Make donations payable to: U.L.F.
Mailing address: 10800 N Anway Rd., Marana, AZ 85653
Phone: (520) 744-1320
May, 2003:
I purchased a Gelding in February this year, and up to around 4 weeks ago have been riding an average of 3-4 four times a week from 1/2 hour to 3 hours. My question is that I have been using the same saddle a Royale all this time and have noticed in the last 3-4 weeks that a lump has appeared approximately around 2 inches down from the back bone just around where you position your bottom when in the saddle. A while ago I did notice in this area that there appeared to be large flaky type dandruff, which I washed, brushed etc., and after a couple of weeks seemed to disappear, but now a lump of some sort is there. There is no open wound, the lump appears to be flattish, (more of a rise than an actually high lump) with a couple of hairs just starting to colour now.
I have never seen a saddle sore before and I am unable to locate a picture on the net to view as to what I am looking for. If this is a
saddle sore, how do I prevent any further irritation for the horse, how do I get rid of it, what medication, or do I require a vet to confirm. Also I don't remember any of this happening until I put on the jute cover, could this be causing the problems.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Robyn Sumner
Hi Robyn,
It does sound like a saddle sore that is in the making but you will need to confirm it with your veterinarian or other horse care professional. There could be several causes and you need to get an expert opinion first.
One of the most common causes of sore spots can be a poor fitting saddle. Saddle sores can take a long time to show up so it is very important to understand saddle fit. If you have someone in the area that does saddle fitting, try to get them to check your fit. There is a very good video on saddle fitting that is full of great information and I learned a lot from the several times I viewed it. You can find it and other information regarding saddle fitting at the About the Horse website.
Another cause for sore spots could be that the rider is sitting crooked. This happened to me so I know that it can be done without the rider even realizing it. Also, horses get their backs out of place occasionally and this can cause a sore to develop. My old foxtrotter had a chiropractic adjustment and it fixed his lumpy spot on the side of his wither. When we rode with the saddle it would cause a dry spot there and it was a flatish lump of the same size you described on your horse. He has had 2 adjustments, 1 year apart and it has never come back.
As to how to get rid of the sore spot, it will take time and resting from riding. It is going to depend on what the cause is. Since saddle fit seems to be the main cause of these types of sores, I would start there. IF it is from the saddle, either a new saddle that fits right or get shims for your saddle that help it fit better. The video that I mentioned talks all about the saddle things and is very helpful. He shows how to shim for different fitting problems. It is an inexpensive way to educate yourself about saddles.
If the horse's back is out of place, then after the chiropractic adjustment/massage treatment and after you have made sure the saddle fits, you can probably start riding again very soon. It really is going to depend on the diagnosis of the problem. With my foxtrotter, I was able to ride again after a week's rest.
Good luck in solving your problem and please let us know how it turns out.
Trail Riding Sweetheart
April, 2003:
I am writing from Pretoria South Africa. My daughter recently attended her first show jumping event. Her horse boxed without major problems and also traveled well. At the event this well behaved, sweet horse, turned into a very nervous rearing animal. We could not control her and needless to say my daughter could not compete. According to her riding instructor, whom we purchased the horse from, she came off the track two years ago after being pushed very hard. She said that the P.A. system, bells, noise and other horses reminded her of her racing days and together with the stress of traveling caused her behavior. We did manage to calm her later the day. I am now prepared to travel with her the previous day and to stable her overnight, to minimize her stress level on the day of the event. The instructor however is of the opinion that stabling her in an unknown environment would heighten her stress and could bring on a bout of colic.
Can you please give me advise how to approach this problem?
Kind regards,
Willem Malan
From the information you have given, I would tend to agree with the instructor. The horse traveled well so the problem looks to be in the environment of the show.
I would suggest that you start with a very small, quiet show setting and work up. You might want to think about taking the horse to some of the events with the intention that your daughter isn’t going to compete and that you will leave if the horse gets upset. Just get the horse used to the environment on a gradual basis. If you can get her to relax at a smaller show and gradually build up you might be able to gain her confidence. A horse’s instincts for survival are very strong and it sounds like your daughter’s horse feels very threatened.
In my limited experience, I would think that this horse might not be comfortable in a show/event situation for a long time. If your daughter is anxious to do some showing maybe the instructor knows someone who would allow your daughter to ride their horse in the shows while her horse is getting used to going. Here in the USA some people will lease a horse to a youngster for that very purpose. Good luck and let me know how it goes.
Trail Riding Sweetheart
P.S. Here is a follow up to this letter that I recieved in June, 2003:
I wrote to you a while back regarding a problem with my daughter (Chantelle's) horse at her first event.
I would just like to inform you that things progressed very well. A few days before boxing her we gave her a homoeopathic remedy called "Echo fear" which relieves stress in animals, we then followed your advice and took her to different events without entering her in any competitions and just let her graze and walk around whilst on a halter.
We then entered her in smaller shows. We took her to the venue the day before the event was to take place to allow her to familiarize herself with the area.
She now travels to any event without any trouble at all and has been placed 4 times, earned a 1st and a 3rd place. It has not been necessary to give her Echo fear after that first time. She is a lovely and good tempered horse once again.
Thank you very much for your good advice.
Kind regards,
Willem Malan
Do you have any horse related questions?
Here is the place to ask.
staff@travelingwithhorses.com
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