Is Your Horse's Back Sore? A Guide to Detection and Care

Is Your Horse's Back Sore? A Guide to Detection and Care

July 18, 2023
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Care Guide

Understanding Equine Back Pain: How to Tell if Your Horse is Sore

Simple barn-side checks. A clean daily routine. Clear vet-first signals.

Back soreness can hide in plain sight—showing up as attitude changes, shortened stride, or resistance under saddle. Here’s a rider-ready way to spot issues early and support your horse while you work with your veterinarian.

1) Common causes (the usual suspects)

  • Saddle/pad fit: Pressure points, bridging, or pinching—reassess regularly as backs change.
  • Workload & footing: Spikes in intensity, deep/slick ground, or long days without rotation.
  • Rider factors: Balance, asymmetry, or inconsistent contact can load the topline.
  • Injury/trauma: Slips, kicks, or falls; don’t ignore “off” days after incidents.
  • Veterinary conditions: e.g., ORDSP (kissing spine), SI dysfunction, arthritis—diagnosis is vet territory.

2) Signs that deserve your attention

  • Changes in behavior: irritability, girthiness, resistance to grooming or saddling
  • Performance shifts: reluctance to lift the back, engage, bend, or pick up a lead
  • Posture & muscle clues: dropped or hollowed back; tight bands or asymmetry on palpation
  • Gait feel: shortened or stiff stride, especially in transitions or lateral work

3) Quick barn-side checks (non-diagnostic)

Look

  • Stand behind and above: compare muscle symmetry along the longissimus.
  • Scan hair/skin for rubs or saddle marks that persist post-ride.

Feel

  • With a flat hand, glide down either side of the spine (no poking). Note heat, guarded areas, or flinch.
  • Check girth area and lats/pecs—tension there often telegraphs back workload.

Move

  • Hand-walk straight lines and circles: watch swing through the back and hip.
  • Gentle carrot stretches: see if range is even L/R; stop if you get resistance or pain.

These checks don’t replace a veterinary exam—use them to communicate better data to your vet and fitter.

Call your veterinarian for marked pain on palpation, persistent performance changes, neurologic concerns, fever, swelling, or if soreness doesn’t improve with simple rest and fit/footing adjustments.

4) Build a simple daily support routine

Before work

  • 3–5 minutes of walking; add easy bend/serpentine.
  • Quick fit audit each ride: pad placement, gullet clearance, panel contact.
  • Light, flat-hand massage with Draw It Out® Gel over large muscle groups (either side of spine—avoid direct pressure on spinous processes).

After work

  • 3–5 minutes of walk-out; keep movement even.
  • Tidy topical application as part of grooming.
  • Rotate workload and footing through the week; log notes on feel.

External use on intact skin only. Avoid eyes and sensitive areas. Topicals are supportive grooming/massage aids—not a diagnosis or treatment.


Rider-trusted supports

Draw It Out® 16oz High Potency Gel

  • Sensation-free & show-friendly: Clean application for pre-/post-work massage.
  • Routine-ready: Plays well with cooldowns and standing-wrap workflows per label.
  • Tidy finish: Designed for a clean, non-greasy feel.
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MasterMudd™ EquiBrace

  • Topical rub: Rider-trusted for hard-working horses as part of post-work care.
  • Easy integration: Use in massage flows for large muscle groups per label.
  • Daily-program friendly: Fits barn and trailer routines.
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FAQ

How often should I use a topical in back-care routines?

Commonly once or twice daily on work days—follow the product label and your veterinarian’s guidance for your horse.

Do I need a professional saddle fitter?

Yes—backs change with age, condition, and workload. A qualified fitter plus your vet helps prevent recurring soreness.

Rest or keep moving?

Follow your veterinarian’s plan. Many mild cases benefit from short, easy movement (hand-walk, straight lines) rather than total stall rest—but let your vet decide.

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This guide is informational and not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Always follow your veterinarian’s advice for back care and rehabilitation.

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