Lumps under the saddle?

"Has anyone had experience of a fluid filled lump coming up on their horses back after riding that then goes away again, but happens every time you ride?"

I asked this question in one of my regular newsletters, and received some responses from readers that I wanted to share with you.

"How interesting Sue - my new mare developed a fluid filled lump in the saddle area after I bought her, whilst I was riding in a borrowed saddle (even though I had a gel pad and thick numnah and the saddle seemed an ok fit).  Having the saddler out and discovering the saddle needed re flocking, and now riding in a saddle especially fitted and bought for her, the lump has gone and she is also much softer through her back to ride - amazed this could happen in such a short space of time & really interested to read your helpful hints"  Julie Crawshaw

"Regarding the lumps under saddle occurring after riding:  I was told by the lady who bred my Cleveland Bay gelding not to remove the saddle straight away when taking tack off after riding, but to leave it there with loosened girth for a few minutes to let the horse return to normal temperature.  This reduces the risk of lumps appearing.  Hope this helps as I have always followed her advice and never seen lumps on his back.  Thanks and regards"  Jane E Preston

"With reference to your question re fluid filled lumps after ridden under the saddle, Poppy had one that used to come up, not sure if it was fluid filled, but it was a small lump.  I noticed it appeared every time after she was ridden and then disappeared.  I tried different numnahs that I had in case the numnah was rubbing somewhere!  I called the saddler out and because Poppy had dropped off a bit the saddle needed adjusting and I also bought a numnah that had pads in it (Le Mieux), they could be taken out when / if necessary.  Since then the lumps haven't returned.  I also asked the vet because it was the area which was treated for her kissing spine."  Julie Anne Young

"Just give it a good smack!"

Recently I was chatting to a top level event rider, explaining that I specialise in looking at performance or behavioural issues from both a physio and a behaviourists point of view. I mentioned that in my opinion, almost all ridden difficulties have an element of physical pain contributing to the problem. Her response was 'But I suppose a good rider can beat them through it'. Posting this on my Facebook page has caused uproar.

The trouble is that she's right, although I would say 'strong' rider rather than 'good'. If the rider inflicts more pain than the physical issue, then in most cases it's the rider the horse will respond to. Horses have, after all, evolved to mask their pain with adrenalin in order to survive.

In reality, most of us have some aches and pains, and yet we still function effectively and often successfully. I suspect its similar for horses. The difference is that horses have far more limited options when it comes to saying 'That's enough now, that hurts too much'. And so it's up to us as their guardians to be their 'voice', and do our best to treat them as we would hope to be treated ourselves.

Your most helpful phrase...

On my Holistic Horse Help Facebook page, I asked followers what was the most helpful phrase they'd ever heard in relation to working with their horse.  Hazel Bird wrote the following, which many readers (including myself) clearly appreciated:

"A lady I used to work for described the principles of training to me in a simple way that has always helped me, as it's easy to visualise.  When you want to teach a horse something, she told me to imagine it in terms of a long corridor with lots of open doors leading off it.  The corridor represents the training session and the doors each represent an action that the horse could offer in response.  When you ask the horse to do something, he sets off with you down the corridor and will go to enter one of the doors.  If it's not the right door (i.e. not the action you want) it is your job to gently but quickly close the door before he gets his nose into it.  Never slam the door in his face, and don't let him get too far into the door, otherwise he'll think that's the right answer and you may have to start again and get him to un-learn.  Close each wrong door that he chooses before he gets his nose in and when he chooses the right door stand back, give him plenty of time and room to go right in and then reward him.  Next time you ask him to set off down the corridor, he may well go straight to that door every time.  Hope that makes sense.  It's not a phrase, I know, but I've always found it really useful."

Others included:

“Go to people for opinions and horses for answers” Alex Kurland (Kate Jackson)

"If you act like you have 30 mins it'll take you all day.  If you act like you have all day it might only take 30 mins" (Ellie Taggart)

"Slow down then slow down some more" (Pam Sanderson)

"Just because you can, doesn't mean that you should" Alex Kurland (Teresa Perrin) 

"Finish on a good note" (Meryl Oxley)

"Listen to what your horse is trying to tell you" (Sandra Forrester)

"Your horse will only do what you've programmed him to do, so if you don't like the results, don't blame the horse"  (Helen Davies)

"Look like a swan whilst paddling like a duck" (Debbie Neale)
"A horse cannot multi-task, which is why he will spook if in pain or uncomfortable.  Light bulb moment!  I knew it was so, but that just explained it so well" (Lesley Woodward)