Symptoms of girth pain syndrome *PLEASE READ*

[naughtygirl]

Symptoms of girth pain syndrome

On the fastening of the girth:
-Attempting to bite handler, repeated at each stage of tightening. This is the most common and obvious symptom.
-Inflating the chest to fix and split there ribs, which also prevents the girth from been applied very tightly, and may brace the horse to protect from pain.
-Kicking at the girth.
-Changing the facial expressions, often a partial closing or tightening of the eyes or a frown.
-Grunting.
-Lifting the head, swishing the tail.


Once girthed up:
-Short stepping, refusing to move forward freely for 10-20 min after been saddled.
-Being one sided or having difficulty taking one lead.
-Resisting leg aids.
-"Humping up", pig rooting or bucking at the start of the ride, especially during transition from trot to canter on the most affected side.
-In extreme cases, violent bucking and/or pig rooting or lying down after been girthed up.
-Grunting wile been ridden, especially downhill.
-Rushing jumps.
-Resistance to turning sharply.
-Readily developing girth sores.

* NOTE: a number of these symptoms can be associated with saddle soreness and other problems.

You may also find:
-The skin of the girth area remaining jumpy after gentle stroking.
-When tapping the skin behind the elbow, the muscles all jump, including the muscles of the leg and elbow.
-Tightness and tenderness of the muscles under the girth and above the shoulder blade.
-Uneven shoulders with the saddle slipping to the lower shoulder.
-The hoof of the most effected side is usually narrower and higher in the heel, which changes the leg length and shoulder angle.

[Trump Card]

WOW thats really good 2 no! thanks 4 posting

[naughtygirl]

**bumpo Bumpo**

[Kiwi Pony]

Hey yea I read that too Jenna! (that is from H&P right?). Lots of people just assume it's naughtyness but I guess there can be more to it.

[Lil.Red-Enza]

Aww that's terrible..what if your horse has one 1 or 2 of the symptoms...Should I be worried? I will DEFINITLY check him out and see if he's in pain...poor baby! Thanks for posting its great to know!

[harli36]

Most of those symptoms though are also symptoms of back pain. So don't diagnose this yourself. If your horse exhibits these symptoms then have a vet and/or chiropractor AND a saddle fitter check him out. The saddle fitter is a very important part of the equasion. Many vets know next to nothing about saddle fitting.

[Moonshine Zeus]

My horse is girth shy she was a race horse annd they cinch the girths up VERY VERY tight she hates her girth being done up but once shes warmed up shes fine, alot of ponies and my pony club put there ears back when having there girth done up but nothing more i have been told that, that is just a pony t hing hmm i hope its nothing bad anyway thanks 4 that information!

[BestofPrincess]

ya my horse has some of thoes simptoms... but the trying to bit thing is only if she is lose and doesnt have a halter or bridle on, if she has one on she doesnt do any thing. She did get girth sores from when the dressage saddle was not set far enough back, shes slow to warm up but its the same if I ride her bareback, but she also clicks in one hip.... but on the other side, she's very sensitive to leg aids, but shes been like that about any cue.....
does this mean I have a proublem?

[harli36]

Bestof Princesses- it sounds to me like your mare has a back alignment problem. Have a chiro out.

[horse_luvr83]

my appy has ALWAYS pinned his ears and raised his nose when the saddle just SITS on him, and i had him checked for sore spots,LOL, and it's just his way of saying,"you know i don't like this mom"lol. i have found with him though that a cotton girth or mahair girth works way better than a neoprene for some reason. he just likes the cotton or mohair better.