The term “cold-backed” is often used to describe a horse that shows sensitivity, stiffness or discomfort through the back, particularly when being groomed, tacked up, mounted or during the first few minutes of exercise.
There can be several reasons for this behaviour, so identifying the underlying cause is important rather than assuming the horse simply has a “cold back”. Christine East, a McTimoney Animal Practitioner shares some of the signs to look for, possible causes and ways to support a horse with a sensitive back.
What does ‘cold-backed’ mean?
Cold-backed” is a descriptive term rather than a specific veterinary diagnosis. It is commonly used for horses that show sensitivity, stiffness or discomfort through the back, particularly before the muscles have warmed up. McTimoney Animal Practitioner, Christine East has treated many cold-backed horses. “There are lots of different interpretations of the term ‘cold-backed’, and it can be used to cover a range of different symptoms,” she says. “However, it is important to remember that every horse is an individual, so they may display different signs to other horses with the same problem.”
Signs of a cold-backed horse
Christine stresses that it is common for horse owners to worry about confusing a cold back with their horse’s behaviour towards activities, such as tacking up and grooming. However, there are definite signs to look out for, which include:
- Soreness or sensitivity to grooming over the back
- Reacting to the saddle, such as dipping or bridging the back when it is put on
- Discomfort when the girth is tightened
- Refusal or reluctance to let you mount from the ground
- Stiffness through the back during the first few minutes of work
These signs can also be associated with other causes of back pain or discomfort, so persistent or worsening symptoms should be investigated by your vet.
What is the cause of a cold back?
Christine suggests that one of the underlying problems is evolutionary. “Horses didn’t evolve to carry people on their backs and compensate for the extra weight. This means they can develop sensitive nerve endings or a misalignment in the spine as a result. Some of the most common causes of a cold back include: pressure from a poorly fitting saddle; aggravation of previous injuries to back muscle; or problems with your horse’s teeth or feet, which cause them to readjust their posture. Another cause, which I think is often overlooked, is the posture and position of the rider,” says Christine. “I often have calls from owners whose horses all seem to have developed the same back problem and it is caused by the horse having to compensate for the rider’s bad posture. When having your horse treated, it is sometimes worth seeing a back specialist yourself!"
What should you do if your horse is cold-backed?
As there are such a range of symptoms for a cold back, it is important to consult your vet as a first port of call, who can rule out any injury or more serious problems. They can then refer your horse to a physiotherapist, chiropractor, or McTimoney practitioner, as necessary. “Symptoms associated with a cold back are not usually too difficult to treat,” says Christine. “Most treatments work to relieve spasms or misalignments in the spine, which cause a pull in the surrounding muscle tissue and result in soreness.” When treating a cold back, it is also advisable to have your horse’s feet and teeth checked, to ensure that there aren’t any problems here that are causing knock-on effects.
Can Massage or Heat Help a Sensitive Back?
Massage and heat can both form part of a wider management routine for horses with muscular tension or stiffness, once any underlying cause has been investigated. They can also be used together, with heat helping to warm the area while massage works on the surrounding soft tissues.
Products such as the Massage Pad Heatsense combine massage with controlled heat, using a sensor to help maintain the pad at its intended therapeutic temperature during use. As with any therapy product, suitability will depend on the individual horse and any advice from your vet or qualified therapist.
How to support a horse with a sensitive back
There are certain preventative measures that can be taken to help stop your horse developing back problems in the future. Have your saddle checked annually, because a horse’s shape can change throughout the year and may not be the same as when the saddle was fitted. Always warm up properly before exercise and remember to cool down when you have finished – this allows your horse’s muscles to adjust to your weight and avoid any damage. If your horse is particularly sensitive, tack up and walk him around for five minutes before mounting – this will give the muscles a head start and ensure he is comfortable when you are mounting. In addition, always use a mounting block rather than mounting from the ground, as this can place extra stress on the back. Often, when a horse won’t stand still for mounting, it is an indication that he finds it uncomfortable, so take care as you get on. When schooling, ensure you do sufficient work on both reins – this will benefit the whole body, not just the back, and will help your horse to remain flexible through both sides of his body.
A cold back is almost always treatable
“The good thing to remember is that the problems associated with a cold back are almost always treatable,” says Christine. As with everything though, prevention is better than cure, so taking good care of your horse’s back is important, and will help him stay fit and healthy and able to perform at his best.
