Whether you’re new to the field of riding or you’re a long-time equestrian, you would know that the back of the horse requires the most and best type of care. This is because every step, every turn, and every movement a horse makes originates from the spine—once it is compromised, you’re in for endless visits to the clinic and expensive bills from the vet. We don’t want that, do we?

Apart from being cautious, maintaining a good diet, and controlled training, PROTECTION and PREVENTION are vital to avoiding discomfort and injury in our four-legged friends. Wondering how and where to start? Don’t worry, we’re here to make the process easy. Read on for more on horse back pain, its causes, and proper management.

In this article, we will talk about:

• Anatomy of A Horse’s Back
• Why Spine Care Is Top Priority
• Pain Points In Horses
• Common Back Injuries In Horses
• Pain Management Tips
• Alternative Solutions To Pain
• Spine Damage Prevention Tips

Have you ever thought about your horse’s back from an anatomical perspective? Try looking at it this way: If you understand it thoroughly, you’ll be able to take care of it better. Check out the basics:

• Cervical vertebrae - These start behind the poll and run through the middle of the neck. A lot of movement happens at the second vertebrae behind the skull and this is what enables a horse to nod or move its head.
• Thoracic vertebrae - There are 18 thoracic vertebrae that start at the withers and continue to the ribcage. In some horses, you can feel the bony projections atop which are called spiny processes.
• Lumbar vertebrae - Six lumbar vertebrae run on from the thoracic vertebrae. The lumbar vertebrae stick out to the side and the top because they do not connect to the ribcage.
• Sacrum - If spiny processes in the lumbar vertebrae face forward, those in the sacrum face the tail. There is a V shape where they meet known as the sacral junction which enables a horse to bring its hindleg under its body.
• Coccygeal vertebrae - There are between 18 and 22 tail vertebrae which run along a horse’s back. The spinal cord stops after the sacrum, but muscle and ligament continues to the end of the dock.

Like a human spine, a horse’s back is a complex structure composed of nerve, muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, and bone. In the vertebrae runs the spinal cord, otherwise known as the “superhighway of the nervous system.”  

As mentioned earlier, every single movement of the horse originates from this part of the body—from trotting to running, and turning, even the action from his fit and ears interconnects in some way with his back. Suffice to say, once you damage the back of the horse, your riding practice and performance will be greatly affected. More importantly, it will bring your horse extreme discomfort which nobody wants.

When it comes to pain in horses, any injury in any part of the body can affect his back which can lead to aches, strains, spasms, sore muscles, and poor behavior. When a horse isn’t feeling his best, it automatically limits his ability to perform or ride properly.

To help you determine if your horses are experiencing something unpleasant, look out for these tell-tale signs:

• Choppy strides
• Jump refusals
• Flinching, even when gently touched
• Resistance to lateral flexion and bending
• Girthing problems
• Refusal to cooperate when dressed in tack
• Improper tracking forward, back, or laterally

If you ever find your horse being “off for no reason,” here’s how you can spot where they are feeling pain so you can help relieve it: Slowly examine the body of your horse by running your fingers along the muscles that parallel the spine while noting their tone. A handful of horse experts describe healthy muscles as “feeling like firm jelly” so if it’s a little too stiff, that’s probably where they are experiencing soreness. You may proceed with whatever works for relieving pain in your horse afterwards.

Everyone in the industry knows that horses are one of the most emotional animals people interact with. Their unique nature, however, extends to its health requirements especially for the most sensitive part of their body. Here are the most common injuries a horse may experience:  

• General muscle soreness
• Kissing spine lesions
• Supraspinous ligament soreness
• Arthritis
• Painful pressure points
• Stiffness or tenderness of affected limbs

To learn more about these injuries and effective remedies, check out our comprehensive guide to common horse illnesses!

There is no single “gold standard” answer for solving back pain in horses. This may seem counterproductive, but it’s a lot of trial and error before you find what works for your horses in relieving discomfort. Just remember to keep them feeling safe and secure so they’ll cooperate with you in any treatment you decide to pursue!

Here are a few common practices that you can try with your loyal pal:

• Basic massage - Often used to warm up the horse, basic massage involves applying firm pressure to the muscles and underlying soft tissues like the fascia. As the foundation of most equine massages, basic massage can pamper your riding pal or manage an underlying problem. Some of the strokes used involve gentle tapping, light to firm stroking, and applying deeper pressure.
• Stretching - Proper stretching can improve flexibility and the musculoskeletal system. For your reference, keep in mind that there are two kinds of stretching – dynamic, with your horse involved about how far to stretch, and passive, which is done with a therapist who can guide the joints in doing a series of movements.

For muscle soreness and minor spasms, using a gel pad for horses can help a ton as it provides proper cushioning between the heavy saddle and the back of the horse. It also helps brace impact when on the track to prevent further injury in your four legged friend.

Sometimes, you need the help of a pro and that’s okay. Check out these solutions to pain that you can discuss with your trusted veterinarian or therapist:

• Trigger-point therapy - Trigger points or muscle knots can be easily spotted by a therapist and applying pressure to these points can cause pain and spasms. Often caused by stress or injury, trigger points can be relieved by applying direct pressure to help relax the muscle and encourage blood flow.
• Myofascial release - Trauma, disease, and hard work may cause the fascia, a strong tissue that supports the structures in the body, to become tight and restrictive. An MFR-trained therapist can help address fascia-related problems through stretching and other MFR techniques that release tension.
• Acupressure - Acupressure is based on traditional Chinese medicine and promotes the unrestricted flow of Chi, a life-promoting energy through your horse’s body. Applying pressure to the acupoints is done with the soft portion of the tip of the thumb in 30 seconds.

You don’t have to wait for your horse to have pain problems before you find solutions for it. As a horse owner, investing in quality tack like gel saddle pads can help in protecting your riding pal’s back while solving other issues.

Gel pads are designed to absorb the impact of any activity. The differences of riding with one instead of without the extra lining isn’t very noticeable from the get-go, but it pays off in the long run.

It works by efficiently distributing the rider’s weight more evenly across your horse’s back which keeps them in better health for longer. It also helps with maintaining their posture, temperature, and emotional state for riding as they are kept comfortable. Last but not the least, it’s great for preventing rashes and hair loss because the additional padding minimizes rubbing.

To sum it up, you can easily care for your horse and its back when you keep injuries at bay or stop it before it happens. It’s like what they say, “prevention is better than cure.” So, what are you doing today to take better care of your riding partner? Let us know in the comments below!