|
|
Post by stardust on Jan 13, 2013 14:52:33 GMT -5
Here is Dusty. Do you think he is swaybacked or is it an illusion due to his high withers?   Jen |
|
|
|
Post by niaru on Jan 13, 2013 19:31:01 GMT -5
I think he is swaybacked, that's the 1st thing I noticed when I open your other thread. But he still is very cute and his legs look good.
Maybe Elizabeth will chime in, she has a horse that is very swaybacked.
|
|
|
|
Post by ZenRider on Jan 13, 2013 22:29:29 GMT -5
I'm going to go with a bit of both. Saddle fitting is going to be fun if you are thinking of riding him at any point.  Checked out his pedigree. Interesting to say the least. Love the racing picture, but the blinkers and shadow roll may show that he may be another one that's a bit interesting under saddle. www.pedigreequery.com/stardust+dancer3 |
|
|
|
Post by jenarby on Jan 14, 2013 14:12:36 GMT -5
I would call that a sway back. If you start riding him and build a nice topline it orobably wont look
quite as bad because his posture will change
Zen , that is a common misconception. Blinkers and shadow rolls don't mean a horse is spooky
That really isn't a true shadow roll anyway. It is a halter fuzzy that was probably added so it is easier to pick out
the right horse during the race . Some horses will run better if they don't see
other horses coning up on them because they focus better on their riders.
|
|
|
|
Post by coyote on Jan 14, 2013 17:54:19 GMT -5
I think it will improve with added weight as he's still quite thin (as you pointed out in the other thread), grazing, and exercise. There are numerous companies that make western pads for "swayback" horses. I haven't noticed any that aren't western, but I'm sure they are out there. I think he's a very cute gelding - and the mule is really pretty, too.
|
|
|
|
Post by Big Tee© on Jan 14, 2013 19:53:54 GMT -5
I'm going with a bit of both as well. I'm more concerned about his absolutely straight hocks
|
|
|
|
Post by ZenRider on Jan 14, 2013 23:00:42 GMT -5
Did I say spooky, I said interesting.
|
|
|
|
Post by stardust on Jan 16, 2013 23:16:28 GMT -5
"A little of both" is what I am going with too. And yes I am aware that, whatever you call his back, saddle fit is truely going to be a challenge. I do think that with more weight it will look a little better and I plan on doing a lot of back strengthening exercises on the ground before ever getting on his back, especially since I am a "bigger" rider. Currently the plan is weight on for him, weight off for me and fitness/strengthening excersises for both of us. LOL. He is my motivation.  ZenRider - Please define "interesting". LOL. Jen |
|
|
|
Post by Smay on Jan 17, 2013 12:13:30 GMT -5
Yep, that horse has a low back, just like mine, Teddy. My horse has developed his over the years as he has aged and lost muscle tone, but it's definitely low. Exercise and building muscle can help a lot but it is a conformational issue and won't 'go away." You should make sure to properly fit his saddle, and get a swayback pad so the tree doesn't sit down on his shoulder and wither too much.
|
|
|
|
Post by TeachU2Ride on Mar 3, 2013 16:16:25 GMT -5
Cashel makes western, endurance and english swayback pads. He's going to need one even after he gains the rest of his weight back... the ligaments that are stretched by lordosis don't resume their normal positioning.
|
|
|
|
Post by elizabeth_h on Mar 5, 2013 13:01:30 GMT -5
I agree with the others' comments that he has both. I have a TB gelding with the same thing. His topline will improve with conditioning, but he'll always look a little dippy in the back. Saddle fit is tricky and you should look into a swayback pad (which is different from a "riser" pad, in that the thicker portion is toward the center of the pad, not the back, to reduce the bridging of the saddle's panels across the dip). It will be very worthwhile to consult a good saddle fitter when you are ready, as choosing a saddle that will work for him will save him much discomfort in the long run. The Cashel pads are affordable and pretty easy to find, so that would be a good option. I showed my gelding in the Adult Amateur hunters for 5 years before retiring him from jumping due to joint issues in his hind end, completely unrelated to his back. With a well-fitted saddle I had no problems with his back ever. Here is a picture of him at age 8, in good weight and muscle (he's now 16):  |
|
|
|
Post by magoobear on Dec 2, 2013 23:07:30 GMT -5
Hi , my boy is built like that too, I believe when your boy gains the needed weight he will Fill in right over the withers, It seems to be the last spot that they put the last bit of the weight they need. My boy is a narrow tree saddle and the top of his withers are 16 hands and his true back level is at 15'2
I would let him fill out and then do a good saddle fitting when hes up at his full weight because it can and will change a full size if English saddle
enjoy him! it does not affect my boys movement what so ever
|
|
