Lump on spine/back from ill fitting saddle

[4horses]

I’m getting a free horse. The only issue she has is there’s a lump on her spine from being ridden in an ill fitting saddle. I’m assuming the lump could be removed, if necessary. I have a dressage saddle that I think has a wide enough gullet to avoid rubbing or touching it. I do prefer to ride western but I don’t think that is an option with the location of the lump.

The lump is located near where the thoracic spine ends. Her withers are fine.

The lump is firm. Not sure if there’s fluid in there. Might be.

Just wondering if anyone has had experience with this? Would it be better to leave it alone or should I see if the vet wants to remove it?

She’s a very sweet and well tempered horse. Not sure she’ll be a forever horse, but I can work with her and hopefully get her in a good home.

[RemarkableOwl21]

Are you sure it’s from poor saddle fit? My horse has a few lumps on his back diagnosed as equine eosinophilic granulomas caused by bug bites. The vet injected cortisone in one last summer and it went away. Unfortunately, this spring he developed more that I would like to treat.

[Scribbler]

@4horses

I’m getting a free horse. The only issue she has is there’s a lump on her spine from being ridden in an ill fitting saddle. I’m assuming the lump could be removed, if necessary. I have a dressage saddle that I think has a wide enough gullet to avoid rubbing or touching it. I do prefer to ride western but I don’t think that is an option with the location of the lump.

The lump is located near where the thoracic spine ends. Her withers are fine.

The lump is firm. Not sure if there’s fluid in there. Might be.

Just wondering if anyone has had experience with this? Would it be better to leave it alone or should I see if the vet wants to remove it?

She’s a very sweet and well tempered horse. Not sure she’ll be a forever horse, but I can work with her and hopefully get her in a good home.

I would get an equine body worker out to see if there’s pain and perhaps a vet check. I dont think removing lumps on the spine is done. But it would be useful to know if this is soft tissue or part of the spinal process. If there’s no pain, it shouldn’t be a problem. Photos here could help us give better advice.

[walkinthewalk]

Second guessing by non-professionals on the Net is not your first line of defense. You won’t know what you’re dealing with unless you get a vet to examine them and go from there.

Once you get a hands-on evaluation from a vet, THEN present to the forum for suggestions, if you’re not satisfied with what the vet prescribes.

[IPEsq]

You might be able to inject it like with bug bite caused granuloma, but it might not cause any issues for him at this point. My horse has a couple bug bite ones under the saddle area (in addition to one’s elsewhere on the body), and I just keep an eye on them. Since they weren’t cause by my saddle, the saddle doesn’t really bother them. They generally go down with time and removing the irritant depending on how thick and hard they are. You might be able to use a western saddle with a wool pad—wool and sheepskin are friendly to these things.

[candyappy]

I can’t visualize what ( what kind of lump) you are describing? Can you post a picture?

[4horses]

She’s coming home tomorrow. Should be able to get some pictures once she’s here.

[4horses]

The lump is firm but non painful. My dressage saddle does not touch the area so that is good. The question becomes if I should go ahead and have the lump removed, even though it isn’t bothering her. It’s just unsightly. But I am probably not keeping her and it may rub if a different owner uses a western saddle without spinal clearance.

Then again, if it isn’t hurting I hate to put her through an unnecessary surgery.

She rides really well. Good ground manners. I want to bump up her weight a little and then start looking for a good home for her. She’s a very nice mare. Probably will make a good trail horse for someone looking for a safe gaited mare.

[Scribbler]

@4horses

The lump is firm but non painful. My dressage saddle does not touch the area so that is good. The question becomes if I should go ahead and have the lump removed, even though it isn’t bothering her. It’s just unsightly. But I am probably not keeping her and it may rub if a different owner uses a western saddle without spinal clearance.

Then again, if it isn’t hurting I hate to put her through an unnecessary surgery.

She rides really well. Good ground manners. I want to bump up her weight a little and then start looking for a good home for her. She’s a very nice mare. Probably will make a good trail horse for someone looking for a safe gaited mare.

Wow I’ve never seen that before. You really need a conversation with your vet and some radiographic imaging. If it is benign and not impeding saddle movement or comfort I myself would likely not start opening things up.

[endlessclimb]

A horse at my barn has this in the same spot, caused by the same thing - ill fitting tack.

The owner got a better pad, and it helped quite a lot. The hair often gets rubbed off, but with the new pad it’s much improved. He rides western. I cringe when I see the pad/saddle moving across it, so perhaps going with a dressage saddle is a better answer.

[candyappy]

I wouldn’t do anything if she were mine. Kind of like " if it aint broke don’t fix it"! If you do sell her then the new owners can find a saddle that works for her. Even if riding western there are short skirted, rounded skirted saddles that would most likely be fine?