My mare has experienced some tenderness on her back bilaterally where her ovaries are during her heat cycle. We have started her on Harmony supplements to help ease her symptoms.
Has anyone had success with a type of half pad to alleviate some sensitivity and soreness during heat cycles??
I had a mare who would get tender and I used a real sheepskin half pad. It helped.
edited to add: sheepskin pad and her saddle were fitted to her and was used all year round.
The problem with a “once in a while” half pad is it will affect your saddle fit. Either it is fitted to be used with a specific pad, or it isn’t. Imagine your shoes fitting but one day you decide you want extra cushion so you add a second pair of socks. Suddenly, the fit isn’t so great. If you’d like to add a half pad, the thinnest option is the stripped down Thinline.
I’d be more inclined to have this discussion with my vet since it is a physical issue, did the vet diagnose this or is it supposition? Pain from the ovaries is real, but I think it is important to make sure there are not underlying issues. And great point about saddle fit.
I know this isn’t what you’re asking, but -if you haven’t tried it- I wonder if she’d like a warming massage pad session pre-ride.
Makes Sense. And I’ve discussed using a half pad and it being an acceptable fit with my saddles.
A really interesting idea to physically warm her up rather than using exercise to warm up prior to work…
I have had the discussion with my vet and they suggested scoping her for ulcers but her irritation seems to be much more from contracting her abdominal muscles and physical touch where her ovaries are rather than any other ulcer related symptom.
She’s not tender along her back where her saddle fits at all. It’s behind the saddle where she’s tender.
This leads me to believe a half pad wouldn’t be beneficial… maybe some alternative therapies prior to riding, as one person mentioned.
I’d scope and ultrasound her ovaries at the same time. A half pad won’t improve loin pain.
That could be from ulcers as well, if your horse has been sucking up her stomach. Mine did that and I could feel the tension behind the saddle when I was on him.
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