Everytime I Saddle My Horse, She Tries To Lay Down And Roll If I Tighten Her Girth To Tight Too Quickley What Could Be Causing This Behavior. Someone Suggested Having Her Be Examined By A Equine Chiropractor.

Has she always done this or is it something new that she is doing. It could be a number of things, from your cinch style, cinch size, saddle fit, to something more serious as back soreness problems, wither or rib isssues (ie. broken or fractured, or bruised). Before I would call out a chiropractor I would schedule an appointment with your vet and have a good exam done. That way if nothing serious is found you could try an acupucturist (great for back sore horses) or a chiropractor. Also make sure that you have you saddle properly fitted (not using the pad). You would be amazed what a horse will do to keep an ill fitting saddle off their backs.

Hope this helps and let us know what you find out.

i think she may be holding her breath while i'm saddling her. someone suggested giving her a good nudge in the belly to make her let it out before tightening. she has done this since we began riding her and the sadlle fits her well and is made for a gaited horse so i don't think that is it. i will have the vet check her out first however, thanks

Horses can't hold their breath but they do tighten their abdominal muscles. So by walking away and maybe brushing the mane or tail and then go back and tighten, might work. Also, I had one once that was cinchy, I would untie her and walk her or lounge a couple of laps and then tighten. Over time I came to find that with her I would saddle her and tighten the cinch a little, then pick her feet, then tighten, the brush the tail, then tighten. SHe seemed not to react as bad. I would also lounge her a few laps before I would bridle her and just before bridling and just before mounting I would finish snugging it up. It sounds like a lot of extra time but it doesn't take me any longer than doing it in the correct order. I have also found over the years that in the beginning I had my cinch way to tight, these days you can easily slide your fingers between the horse and the cinch. Hope this will help and hopefully you and your vet if needed can get it figured out.