Cold backed - and what does it mean?

[Nikki Italy]

Just as the title says. I just want to know.

[Yann]

My understanding of the term is that it's a horse that reacts badly to being saddled and or mounted, even if all apparent causes have been eliminated. Presumably this is the result of remembered or anticipated pain and discomfort. The problem is that horses can be labelled as cold backed when there is actually a problem and as a result it doesn't get addressed.

[carrie]

It's a very generic term. As Yann said basically people use it to describe any horse who is sensitive in the back, be it to saddle, ride, groom etc. Usually horses who are better when walked round before being ridden to 'warm up' back. Few horses are 'cold backed' without reason to be, unless as Yann mentioned they have remembered pain.

[annahindley]

I totally agree Yann. It is a vague and probably over-used term for horses that react to the saddle, are naughty for a long time when you first get on, freak out when mounted, need 30 mins lunging before being got on etc etc. IMO, it very often arises from a present or past painful experience such as a back problem, a poor saddle or a poor rider.

I hear it used to mean so many things that I always ask for a further description before assuming that it the person means the same thing as I do!

[gillmcg]

Whole heartedly agree with above comments. Personally I think it's a term that shouldn't be used as its an excuse for not finding out what the problem REALLY is and dealing with it. I was told my mare was cold-backed - turns out she had a badly fitted saddle (what did I know? I'd paid the master saddler/saddle fitter and took his advice!!). She ended up having to shout at me which ended up with broken ribs (mine that is). It's one of the main reasons I now won't go near a saddle with a tree.......

PS I used to ride a gelding at the local stable years ago before I had my own horse. He had to have his saddle put on in stages and it took them about half an hour to tack him up bit by bit. If done too quickly he'd collapse to the floor. You also had to mount very quickly but gently or he'd kick out. Saddens me that I used to think this was OK...... He was very sway backed and high withered (although this was probably mostly muscle wastage rather than a naturally high wither - my TBs withers are far less prominent since using a treeless saddle).