Page 871 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
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Figure 18.26 White hair often grows in areas where the skin has been damaged by pressure from the saddle
BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES THAT CAN INDICATE PROBLEMS WITH
SADDLE FIT
• the horse may object to being saddled or girthed up. Many horses with sore backs will
become agitated and put their ears back or fidget and swish their tails when approached
with a saddle (see Figure 12.6).
• it may become ‘cold-backed’. Some horses with pain in the saddle region sink or ‘hump’
their backs when being mounted or moving off. Others stand still for mounting but run
backwards or jump forwards when asked to move off.
• one if the first signs is becoming hypersensitive to touch and resenting grooming and
rugging.
• the horse may have an anxious or unhappy expression when ridden.
• it may become withdrawn and grumpy.
• the farrier may report that the horse is uncharacteristically difficult to shoe behind.
• it may adopt an abnormal posture in the stable or field in attempts to obtain relief from
the discomfort.
• it may roll or lie down more or less than usual.
