Category Common Equine Back Conditions

You’re grooming your horse after a ride, running a curry comb over their back, when you notice something. The muscles to the right of the withers feel full and robust, but on the left, there’s a subtle hollow—a dip where…

The call from your veterinarian brings a wave of relief—and anxiety. The kissing spines surgery was a success. Now, the real work begins: a long, careful journey of rehabilitation to rebuild strength, confidence, and a pain-free partnership. But as you…

Your horse feels… off. The transitions are sticky, the canter depart feels like a negotiation, and there’s a new tension you can’t quite put your finger on. Is it a training issue? A behavioral quirk? Or is it pain? For…

Have you ever looked at your horse’s back and felt like something was missing? Despite consistent training and a good diet, you might notice subtle (or not-so-subtle) hollows behind the shoulders or a topline that just won’t fill out. You’re…

Does this sound familiar? You get on your horse, settle into the saddle, and almost immediately feel yourself tipping to one side. You shift your weight, straighten up, and re-center, only to find yourself listing again a few strides later.…

Your horse feels a little “off.” He pins his ears when you approach with the saddle, swishes his tail more than usual during your warm-up, or hesitates for a split second before picking up the canter. It’s easy to dismiss…

Have you ever placed your saddle on your horse’s back and noticed it rocks like a seesaw? Or perhaps your horse flinches or hollows their back when you tighten the girth? These subtle signs often point to a significant problem,…

Have you ever felt like you’re constantly collapsing one hip? Or that no matter how many times you adjust your stirrups, one always feels longer than the other? Maybe your horse consistently drifts to the rail or feels stiffer on…

You’ve done everything right—a dialed-in nutrition plan, the veterinarian’s all-clear, and consistent, correct training sessions. Yet, when you look at your horse, you see a persistent weakness: a dip behind the withers, a lack of muscling along the back, a…

Does your saddle consistently slip to one side? Do you feel like you’re always correcting your position, fighting to stay centered? Or perhaps your horse bends beautifully to the right but feels stiff and resistant when you ask for the…

Have you ever looked at your horse’s back and noticed its gentle dip has become more pronounced over the years? It’s a common sight, especially with beloved older campaigners or certain breeds. This condition, known as lordosis or “swayback,” presents…

Why Your Saddle Is Hurting Your Horse’s Back: The Biomechanics of Upswept Panels Ever tacked up your horse and noticed a subtle flinch as you smoothed the saddle pad over their back? Perhaps you’ve felt a recurring stiffness in their…

The phone call from your vet delivers the news you’ve been dreading and perhaps even expecting: Kissing Spines. A wave of worry washes over you, filled with questions about your horse’s future, comfort, and riding career. But then, your vet…

You’ve done everything right. You’ve worked with your trainer on exercises to lift the back and engage the hindquarters. You’ve focused on building a strong, beautiful topline. Yet, something feels off. Your horse still seems tense through the back, struggles…

You’ve felt it, haven’t you? The subtle but persistent slide of your saddle to one side. That constant need to adjust your position, feeling like you’re riding with one stirrup shorter than the other, even when they’re perfectly even. Or…