[Crookedblaze]

Just took on a rescue...and the poor guy is 4 almost 5 and has a swayback due to starvation as a baby. He's a registered QH.

The chiropractor was really positive that it would straighten out with work and gaining of muscle, but....I'm not so sure. Just wanted to know some opinions, or if you've had an experience with this. Also, any one have any advice for a wester sadle? I'm thinking treeless.

Here's a picture of Mac Attack:





He has one blue eye, I don't know how or why. He is 100% Quarter Horse. The breeder he came from was very...sketchy. She wouldn't give the original resuer any info.

[Blistering Winds]

The back looks to be definitely an issue.

I would not "COUNT" on the back straightening out significantly.

And just a little tidbit, some horses are born that way. Starvation as a baby might have nothing to do with it.


Real fast on the "registered QH", have you retested his DNA against his parents? With a sketchy "breeder", I would not trust it.

Can a Pure QH have a blue eye? Yes. However usually they have more of the overo presence.

I would strongly be questioning the parentage and the papers provided. Take the time. Prove that the horse you have IS the horse you think you have.


Next, as to the back...muscling the top line will help support the back as best as possible. The loin is drawing my attention....a bit of a "roach" back there maybe? Maybe an old injury?

Work what you can. But you will not ever have a "perfect back". Just keep that in mind. His age, the back is "fused/fusing". Muscling now will help, help support it, but it would take a down right miracle to make this horse conformationally sound again.

[harli36]

I don't think that you have a true sway here, or at least I don't think a sway back is the primary problem. I think that part of what we are seeing is prominent withers and a bit of a roached back.

Assuming you can get him to muscle up nicely. I think that the majority of the problem will concel itself and you won't have too much of a problem with saddle fit. But it will probably always be a problem that you have to keep in the back of your mind. Try and always keep him in shape once you have him there. He will probably feel more aches and pains if you allow him to fall out of shape then a "normal" horse.

And like BW said it's very possible that this is a genetic thing and has nothing to do with the owner starving him but the owner starving him probably made the problem more apparent.

[Temposmom]

You might look into Specialized Saddles - Endurance Saddles, English Saddles, Trailmaster Saddles, Western Saddles , it would allow for changes in the back.

[Blistering Winds]

Looking the horse over more, definitely hold off buying any saddle until you get the topline built up.

From there, I fear a treeless will sit wrong on the horse.

However, there have been build-up pads made for horses such as this. To help "even" the saddle out for the horse and rider.

You can still go treeless, however my concern is the angle the saddle will put you in. You will be driving down on that already damaged area.

[summersmyhorse]

Check out some of these links, they may help.....

Lorien Stable - Fitting Saddles to a Swayed Back

Contoured Swayback Tacky Too Saddle Pad (Horse - Tack & Supplies - Saddle Accessories - Pads)

Tuffy Pad High Withers - Swayback Saddle Pad 30" x 32" pbh7909

[Temposmom]

That is why the Specialized could be a good bet, it has freedom to change and manipulate the fit as you go. A friend of mine has a fully mature horse with a very similar back and they were able to not only make the horse happy the rider is happy too. After about 6 months they did have to do a refit since the horse's back had changed, and so far that is about it over the last year plus. For a younger, unfit horse the more options you can provide the better.

[zomer]

i agree with BW, I would be very worried putting a treeless saddle on this horse's back. I have tried treeless and also ride bareback and its clear I stress my horses back MORE than with a saddle. The weight distribution of the tree is very important for your horse and you can research and find that many vets say riding bareback is the worst thing for your horse. I have found out in my own practice that its very true. Of course, that is just my experience, but thought i would throw in the two cents.

[Blistering Winds]

treeless or not, any saddle will not 'set right" on that back.

and the normal 'swayback' saddle pads build up the middle to back of the "back" toward the loin...which this back does not need. It needs a build up in the front...

prominant wither pads might be the best option.

a special "wedge" designed for this kind of horse could be made and sewn into a cutback saddle pad.

Treeless or not, you will have issues. More I look at this horse, the more I see "ROACH" and not sway moreso. Plus the prominant withers....

[Crookedblaze]

WOW, thanks for all of the replies.

I will have to look at his papers...they are in the process of getting transfered. I will have to look at that.

Also, I want to have my own chiropractor and vet come out and look at him and see if the back is a genetic thing...I'm starting to think that more and more.

Thanks!