Also know intolerance to walking downhill can be a pulled chest muscle! Took me too long to figure this out, as a change in girth’s to see if pinching was the issue before remembering he pulled that muscle. He would also start to balk halfway through a ride after this injury, and he’s normally a horse that looks for the longer trail. Sounds similar to what your guy is doing, so could definitely be a pulled chest muscle. Rest rest rest was what helped him, and it sounds like your boy could use a reset as it is with saddle fitting issues too.
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My boy refused to walk downhill when he pulled his hamstring in his hind leg. Also when he pulled a muscle in his chest.
You have received a lot of excellent advice in here and I agree with all of them. I hope you will update us when you get some answers. It can difficult to pinpoint but our horses deserve to be comfortable.
Reasons for progressive equine discomfort, in order of probability:
- Ill fitting saddle.
- Inept rider with substandard skills.
- Horse out of condition.
- Horse lacks strength to carry rider (weak horse and/or obese rider)
- Conformation or other musculo-skeletal issue.
There may be more but these are a good start.
G.
