The
back describes the area of horse anatomy where the
saddleA saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...
goes, and in popular usage extends to include the loin or lumbar region behind the thoracic vertebrae that also is crucial to a horse's weight-carrying ability. These two sections of the
vertebral columnIn human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 33 vertebrae, the sacrum, intervertebral discs, and the coccyx situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by spinal discs...
beginning at the withers, the start of the
thoracic vertebraeThe 12 thoracic vertebrae compose the middle segment of the vertebral column, between the cervical vertebrae and the lumbar vertebrae. They are intermediate in size between those of the cervical and lumbar regions; they increase in size as one proceeds down the spine, the upper vertebrae being...
, and extend to the last
lumbar vertebraThe lumbar vertebrae are the largest segments of the movable part of the vertebral column, and are characterized by the absence of the foramen transversarium within the transverse process, and by the absence of facets on the sides of the body...
. Because horses are
riddenEquestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving horses. This broad description includes both use of horses for practical, working purposes as well as recreational activities and competitive sports.-Overview of equestrian activities:...
by humans, the strength and structure of the horse's back is critical to the animal's usefulness.
The thoracic vertebrae are the true "back" vertebral structures of the
skeletonIn biology, a skeleton is a rigid framework that provides protection and structure in many types of animal, particularly those of the phylum Chordata and of the superphylum Ecdysozoa. Exoskeletons are external, as is typical of many invertebrates; they enclose the soft tissues and organs of the...
, providing the underlying support of the saddle, and the lumbar vertebrae of the loin provide the
coupling that joins the back to the
hindquartersEquine anatomy refers to the gross and microscopic anatomy of horses and other equids. While all anatomical features of equids are described in the same terms as for other animals by the International Committee on Veterinary Gross Anatomical Nomenclature in the book Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria,...
. Integral to the back structure is the ribcage, which also provides support to the horse and rider. A complex design of bone,
muscleMuscle is the contractile tissue of the body and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
, tendons and
ligamentIn anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote three different types of structures:# Fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones. They are sometimes called "articular ligaments", "fibrous ligaments", or "true ligaments"....
s all work together to allow a horse to support the weight of a rider.
Anatomy of the back
The structure of the back varies from horse to horse and varies a great deal by breed, age and condition of the animal.
Skeleton
A horse has an average total of 18
thoracic vertebraeThe 12 thoracic vertebrae compose the middle segment of the vertebral column, between the cervical vertebrae and the lumbar vertebrae. They are intermediate in size between those of the cervical and lumbar regions; they increase in size as one proceeds down the spine, the upper vertebrae being...
, with 5 located in the withers. Each thoracic vertebra is also associated with a
ribIn vertebrate anatomy, ribs are the long curved bones which form the ribcage. In most vertebrates, ribs surround the chest they enable lungs to expand by expanding the chest, they also protect the lungs, heart, and other internal organs of the thorax...
. A horse also has, on average, six
lumbar vertebraeThe lumbar vertebrae are the largest segments of the movable part of the vertebral column, and are characterized by the absence of the foramen transversarium within the transverse process, and by the absence of facets on the sides of the body...
. Some breeds, such as the Arabian, will sometimes, but not always, have five lumbar vertebrae and 17 thoracic vertebrae. There appears to be little correlation between back length and number of vertebrae, as many horses with short backs do have the typical number of vertebrae. The length of each vertebra in the lumbar region seems to have the greater influence on the strength of the horse's back.
Muscles and ligaments
The horse has no collarbone. Hence the entire torso is attached to the shoulders by powerful muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
The spine of a
horseThe horse is a hoofed mammal, a subspecies of one of seven extant species of the family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
's back is supported by
muscleMuscle is the contractile tissue of the body and is derived from the mesodermal layer of embryonic germ cells. Muscle cells contain contractile filaments that move past each other and change the size of the cell. They are classified as skeletal, cardiac, or smooth muscles. Their function is to...
s, three
ligamentIn anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote three different types of structures:# Fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones. They are sometimes called "articular ligaments", "fibrous ligaments", or "true ligaments"....
s, and abdominal muscles. The
Spinalis DorsiThe spinalis is the portion of the erector spinae, a bundle of muscles and tendons, located nearest to the spine. It is divided into three parts.-Spinalis dorsi:...
originates on the fourth
cervical vertebraIn vertebrates, cervical vertebrae are those vertebrae immediately inferior to the skull.-Variation among species:In some species, some parts of the skull may be composed of vertebra-like elements, e.g...
and inserts beneath the thoracic section of the
Trapezius. The
Longissimus dorsi originates from the last four cervical vertebrae, and courses along the spine, inserting eventually into the ilium and sacrum. This muscle contracts the spine and also raises and supports the head and neck, and is the main muscle used for rearing, kicking, jumping, and turning. It is the longest and strongest muscle in the body, and is the muscle the rider sits on. The
Intercostal muscleIntercostal muscles are several groups of muscles that run between the ribs, and help form and move the chest wall.There are three principal layers;...
s begin at the spaces between the ribs and aid in breathing. The external and internal
abdominal obliqueThe external oblique muscle is the largest and the most superficial of the three flat muscles of the lateral anterior abdomen.-Structure:...
s are attached to the ribs and
pelvic bonesIn human anatomy, the pelvis is the part of the trunk inferioposterior to the abdomen in the transition area between the trunk and the lower limbs...
, and support the internal organs. The
Supraspinous ligamentThe supraspinal ligament is a strong fibrous cord, which connects together the apices of the spinous processes from the seventh cervical vertebra to the sacrum; at the points of attachment to the tips of the spinous processes fibrocartilage is developed in the ligament.It is thicker and broader in...
begins at the poll and ends at the
croupEquine anatomy refers to the gross and microscopic anatomy of horses and other equids. While all anatomical features of equids are described in the same terms as for other animals by the International Committee on Veterinary Gross Anatomical Nomenclature in the book Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria,...
(sacral vertebrae). It supports the head and neck, and its traction force aids in supporting the weaker thoracic and lumbar areas. It spreads out and attaches to the spines of the
cervical vertebraeIn vertebrates, cervical vertebrae are those vertebrae immediately inferior to the skull.-Variation among species:In some species, some parts of the skull may be composed of vertebra-like elements, e.g...
. In the wither and neck area, it is called the
nuchal ligamentThe paxwax or nuchal ligament is a fibrous membrane, which, in the neck, represents the supraspinal ligaments of the lower vertebræ....
.
Back conformation
Horses' back shape can vary greatly from horse to horse. The upper curvature of a horse's withers, back, and loin is called the "topline." The line of the belly from elbow to flank is the "under line" or "bottom line." In terms of the back, both are important; a long underine with a relatively short topline is ideal. The underline is where the abdominal muscles are, which, like in humans, can provide tremendous support to the back when well-conditioned. The topline will vary in length and in curvature, with some relationship between the two. When being ridden, a horse's back may either be stiff or relaxed as it moves, depending on the tension and strength of ligaments, muscles or tendons; and is also influenced by training and physical level of condition. The length of the back may affect smoothness of gait, ability to collect and move with agility, limits how much weight the horse can carry, and can impact if a horse might be capble of being laterally
gaitedThe term Amble or Ambling is used to describe a number of four-beat intermediate gaits of horses. All are faster than a walk but usually slower than a canter or gallop...
. The height of the withers also varies and affects freedom of shoulder movement, length of stride, and is a major area of concern in proper saddle fitting.
A horse's back and ribcage in cross section is often described as "deep" or "narrow" (sometimes "shallow"), depending on the width of the ribs and the depth of the heartgirth. It can be a "pear" shape, an "apple" or inverted "U" shape, may be wide or narrow, short or long, or combinations of these characteristics. Wider but shorter ribs and loins will usually be stronger than long and narrow ribs and loins. If the ribs "fall off" of the back sharply, the back will be narrow, whereas if the ribs are well sprung, the back will be wide.
The average horse can carry up to approximately 25% of its body weight, but body build and, particularly, back structure, may allow it to carry somewhat more or less. Physical condition also plays a role. A horse that is in good physical condition, with well-developed abdominal and back muscles, will be able to carry more weight for a longer time than one that is not in shape.
There are two primary flaws in back conformation, a "too-straight" or "roach" back and its opposite, a too low or "sway back" (
lordosisLordosis is a medical term used to describe an inward curvature of a portion of the vertebral column...
). Horses may also have "well-sprung" ribs or be too narrow, called "slab-sided." A horse may also have very high bony withers, which is not generally a flaw, though they can make a saddle hard to fit. Too low withers, called "mutton withers," can make it difficult to keep a saddle on without rolling or slipping, and may be correlated to a shorter stride.
A roach back is less common, but is characterized by a back that has insufficient curvature. Such animals will have difficulty with flexion and are often rough-gaited. Conformational defects such as straight shoulders often are correlated with a roach back.
When the span of the back dips excessively in the center, it is called swaybacked (other names include saddle-backed, hollow-backed, low in the back, "soft" in the back, or down in the back). It is the far more common condition, particularly in older horses. A low back may make a horse more prone to a stiff head and neck carriage and usually causes stiffness in the back and difficulty collecting. A horse with a long back and loin, while often considered a trait associated with smooth
gaitsHorse gaits are the different ways in which a horse can move, either naturally or as a result of specialized training by humans.-Classification:...
, is prone to developing a sway back sooner than average. Swayback is caused in part from a loss of muscle tone in both the back and abdominal muscles, plus a weakening and stretching of the ligaments. It is often seen in a broodmare that has had multiple foals; an older horse whose age leads to loss of muscle tone and stretched ligaments; overuse or injury to the muscles and ligaments from excess work or loads; or premature work on an immature horse. Less often, a long-backed horse that in poor condition may develop a sway at a younger age simply due to lack of exercise, particularly if kept in a stall or small pen for long periods without turnout. A sway back often makes it harder for the horse to collect, particularly for
dressageDressage is a path and destination of competitive horse training, with competitions held at all levels from amateur to the Olympics...
and any event that involves jumping. A sway back can also cause soreness to a horse's back because most saddles will "bridge," putting the rider's weight only on the front and the back of the saddle, creating abnormal pressure points, especially over the shoulders and loins. A heavy rider may also put additional strain on already weakened ligaments and muscles. A swaybacked horse is less able to achieve rapid impulsion; which may cause problems in such sports such as
horse racingHorse racing is an equestrian sport that has been practiced over the centuries; the chariot races of Roman times are an early example, as is the contest of the steeds of the god Odin and the giant Hrungnir in Norse mythology. It is inextricably associated with gambling...
,
rodeoRodeo is a sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. It was based on the skills required of the working vaqueros and later, cowboys, in what today is the western United States, western...
and
poloPolo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a long-handled mallet...
. With a properly fitting saddle, a swaybacked horse still can be used as a pleasure horse and as a horse for teaching students.
Length of Back
Ideally, the length of a horse's back from the peak of the withers to the point of the hip should be 1/3 of the horse's overall body length (from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock, excluding head and neck). A horse's back is called "long" if the length exceeds 1/3 and "short" if less than 1/3. Long backs are more often seen in
"gaited"The term Amble or Ambling is used to describe a number of four-beat intermediate gaits of horses. All are faster than a walk but usually slower than a canter or gallop...
horses, such as
SaddlebredsThe American Saddlebred, formerly known as the American Saddle Horse, is a breed of horse that was developed in Kentucky by plantation owners. Today, in the horse show world, they are most commonly seen under saddle in Saddle seat style riding, and in various types of driving, including pleasure...
or
Tennessee WalkerThe Tennessee Walker or Tennessee Walking Horse is a gentle and comfortable riding horse. The breed was originally bred in the Southern United States to carry the owners of plantations around their lands. Their unique four-beat "running walk" is especially comfortable to ride, making the breed a...
s. They are sometimes, but not always, associated with long, weak loins. The advantage to a long back is that it is flexible, making the movement of the back flatter, quieter, and makes a smoother ride. Even horses that are not gaited often have a smoother trot and long strides, making them comfortable to ride. On the other hand, it makes it harder for the horse to lift or "round" the back to develop speed or engage the hindquarters for high levels of collection. It takes longer to develop the muscles in a long back, and they are more prone to muscular strain and swayback as they age.
A moderately short back is generally a desirable trait and can be seen in any breed, though are more common in
American Quarter HorseThe American Quarter Horse is an American breed of horse that excels at sprinting short distances. Its name came from its ability to outdistance other breeds of horses in races of a quarter mile or less, where some individuals have been clocked at speeds up to 55 mph...
s,
ArabiansThe Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated in the Middle East. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is one of the oldest horse breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses that...
, and
MorgansThe Morgan is one of the earliest horse breeds developed in the United States. Tracing back to the stallion Figure, later named Justin Morgan after his best-known owner, the breed excels in many disciplines, and is known for its versatility....
. The advantage to a short back is that the horse is quick, agile and strong, able to change direction with ease. A horse with this conformation is less likely to have back pain associated with the weight of the rider, especially if well-muscled. A short back is usually associated with being "short coupled," that is, short in the loin, making a horse of this conformation ideal for such agility sports as polo, roping, cutting, and reining. However, a short back can be less flexible if too short, and even ideally-conformed horses with short backs can have "springy" gaits that may cause difficulties for inexperienced riders. A too-short back can lead to spinal arthritis if the horse has difficulty bending.
Fitting saddles to the back
Each horse is different regarding
saddleA saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...
fit, though minor problems can be compensated for with
saddle blanketA saddle blanket is a blanket which is inserted under a saddle in order to absorb sweat, cushion the saddle, and protect the horse's back. Saddle blankets have been used for millennia with all types of saddles. There are number of different modern designs...
s or pads. As a horse's muscles change with age or conditioning, one saddle may not fit during its entire life, and all saddles do not fit all horses. A properly fitted saddle should have enough height in the gullet to clear the withers of the horse and not be so wide as to press on the spine, but not be so narrow as to pinch the back and shoulders of the horse. It must not be so long in the tree that it interferes with the horse's hips, though a too-short tree may also create abnormal pressure points, particularly when it is too small for the rider as well. Professional saddlers and saddle-fitters may be able to make small adjustments in better-quality saddles to help them better fit an individual horse, but the underlying structure of the saddle tree cannot be changed and must have an adequate fit from the outset.
Causes
Back pain in a
horseThe horse is a hoofed mammal, a subspecies of one of seven extant species of the family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
may be caused for a variety of reasons.
SaddleA saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...
fit, poor
ridingEquestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving horses. This broad description includes both use of horses for practical, working purposes as well as recreational activities and competitive sports.-Overview of equestrian activities:...
technique, lack of conditioning, overwork, accidents, or
lamenessLameness in horses and other equidae is a term used to refer to any number of conditions where the animal fails to travel in a regular and sound manner on all four feet...
can all contribute to back pain. A saddle that is not fitted properly on the horse may lead to immediate, acute pain, or chronic, long-term damage. A saddle of ill fit will repeatedly bruise, pinch, or rub the underlying soft tissue or spinal processes. A
horseThe horse is a hoofed mammal, a subspecies of one of seven extant species of the family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
that is not athletically fit may also experience back pain. Abrupt changes in work, footing, or terrain can make even a fit horse suffer soreness. Accidents, missteps, or awkward jumps all lend themselves to strain. Compensating for any type of limb, joint, or
hoofA horse hoof is a structure surrounding the distal phalanx of the 3rd digit of each of the four limbs of Equus species, which is covered by complex soft tissue and keratinised structures...
injury can make a
horseThe horse is a hoofed mammal, a subspecies of one of seven extant species of the family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
put extra stress on its back, which can lead to back problems in addition to lameness if not treated promptly. A rider with a poor seat can put abnormal pressure directly on a horse's back, or may indirectly cause back pain in other ways: An ill-fitting
bitA bit used in equestrian activities is a piece of metal or similar synthetic material that is placed in the mouth of a horse or other equid and allows a rider to control the animal. It rests on the bars of the mouth in an interdental region where there are no teeth...
and
bridleA bridle is a piece of equipment used to direct a horse. As defined in the Oxford English Dictionary, the "bridle" includes both the headstall that holds a bit that goes in the mouth of a horse, and the reins that are attached to the bit....
or bad
handsRiding aids are the cues a rider gives to a horse to communicate what they want the animal to do. Riding aids are broken into the natural aids and the artificial aids.-Natural aids:...
, resulting in mouth pain, can cause secondary back pain as the horse lifts its neck and stresses its back to avoid the pressure to the mouth.
Diagnosis
A veterinarian or experienced horse owner can palpate the back of a horse to pinpoint sources of pain and from there assess the most likely cause. Radiographs (X-Rays) can be used to diagnose potential problems with cracked vertebrae, some forms of arthritis, impinging dorsal spinous processes (kissing spines), and other skeletal problems, although with large, heavily muscled animals this diagnostic modality is limited. Certain types of soft tissue injury can be assessed with other modern diagnostic imaging techniques, such as
ultrasoundDiagnostic sonography is an ultrasound-based diagnostic imaging technique used to visualize subcutaneous body structures including tendons, muscles, joints, vessels and internal organs for possible pathology or lesions. Obstetric sonography is commonly used during pregnancy and is widely...
. In addition, Scintigraphy is often very useful in localising either bony or soft tissue disorders.
For mild problems, it is sometimes useful to ride the horse in a different saddle or without a saddle to see if the problem goes away, but usually a veterinarian or saddle fitter can determine if an ill-fitting saddle is the problem in fairly short order. Failure to obtain a reliable veterinary opinion can lead to further damage if the horse is worked while in pain.
Treatment
Like humans, back pain in horses may be treated by
acupunctureAcupuncture is the procedure of inserting and manipulating fine filiform needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain or for therapeutic purposes. The word acupuncture comes from the Latin acus, "needle", and pungere, "to prick". In Standard Mandarin, 針砭...
, massage therapy,
chiropracticChiropractic is a health care discipline and profession that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, especially the spine, under the hypothesis that these disorders affect general health via the nervous system...
treatments,
ultrasoundUltrasound is cyclic sound pressure with a frequency greater than the upper limit of human hearing. Although this limit varies from person to person, it is approximately 20 kilohertz in healthy, young adults and thus, 20 kHz serves as a useful lower limit in describing ultrasound...
, simple rest, or a combination of any of the above. Drug treatment may also be advised, particularly the use of
NSAIDNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, usually abbreviated to NSAIDs or NAIDs, are drugs with analgesic, antipyretic and, in higher doses, with anti-inflammatory effects...
s, or other antinflammatory and
analgesicAn analgesic is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain . The word analgesic derives from Greek an- and algos...
medications. In all cases, the first step is to eliminate the root cause of pain to the
horseThe horse is a hoofed mammal, a subspecies of one of seven extant species of the family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
so that the animal is not reinjured after treatment. Degenerative or
arthriticArthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body....
back pain is much harder to treat, so prompt attention is advisable in order to avoid a long-term problem.
If it seems the back pain is caused by an ill-fitting
saddleA saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...
, the saddle should be changed or adjusted, though as an interim measure a
horseThe horse is a hoofed mammal, a subspecies of one of seven extant species of the family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
can be ridden without a
saddleA saddle is a supportive structure for a rider or other load, fastened to an animal's back by a girth. The most common type is the equestrian saddle designed for a horse, but specialized saddles have been created for camels and other creatures...
or with a saddle pad that is either thicker or thinner, as needed to reduce saddle pressure. To avoid causing back pain caused by lack of athletic fitness, gradually build the horse's athletic agility until it is strong enough to avoid getting sore in the back. Back pain related to stress or injury may require rest and time without being ridden, with a gradual return to work.
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