Equine Health

Case Report: Saddle-Back Soreness

Patient:  8 yr. Old Warmblood Mare

Intended Use: Dressage

History: On bi-annual lameness examination all findings were normal.  Six months later the mare was again examined and a sore back was encountered. The mare was entered in a large show and became suddenly very unwilling to work, would not move forward or collect her hind end.  A very easy going mare normally, she was now very difficult to ride and show.

Physical Examination: On physical examination the mare was very sore along the epaxial muscles on either side of the spine.  Ventral flexion of the back produced extreme pain.  At the trot the mare was Grade 1/5 lame on both rear legs.  Flexion of the limbs located the soreness to both hocks.

Thermography: Dr. Anez visited the show to apply the thermography camera to the mare after one of her classes.  Thermography of the back revealed an area of intense heat over the lumbar spine.  Thermography of the saddle indicated an uneven wear pattern.  Thermography of the hocks showed in intense heat pattern associated with the areas noted to be sore on the flexion tests.  Diagnostic anesthesia applied to both hocks re-enforced the thermographic findings.  Radiographs of the hock joints were normal.

Diagnosis: An improper saddle fit was causing this mare to carry herself in a manner that was putting an extra amount of stress in the hock region.  The extremely sore back muscles caused from the poor saddle fit were inhibiting this mare from moving freely and forward and were causing her to have an unwilling attitude.

Treatment:  The mare was taken out of work immediately and rested.  Both hock joints were injected with steroid/hyaluronic  acid to ease inflammation and prevent subsequent joint damage.  The owner has taken the saddle to be adjusted and refitted by a professional saddler who will use the thermographic images taken of the back to properly fit the new saddle. Once the new saddle is built, it will again be checked by thermography.

Discussion: In horses that are trained and shown extensively a proper saddle fit is very important.  When the horse has a sore back, it can compensate by loading its legs unevenly which in turn can cause multiple leg lameness.