I had to pick a friend up from a stable this morning, and whilst helping to un-tack a 17-year old ex-jumping gelding, found that he had a lump on his back about four fifths saddle length back from where the front of the saddle would rest, spinal, about the size of a big toe front joint, and making a curious faint crackling noise under gentle finger pressure.(Fluid?) The whole area reacted to touching. The horse is not mine, I can't stop him being ridden (the obvious course with some sort of dodgy spinal business), but can anyone put a name to this odd description which I might be able to press for a vet. examination? The horse is a victim of the financial crisis, I'm afraid - the owners have not paid his keep, so he's on sale and meanwhile used for classes...........one of his riders might buy him and he'd be moved to a better place,(he's underfed at the moment) but if he shouldn't be ridden........
Rita

It does sound like fluid. I've had a couple of trauma lumps like that and whilst painless, they're very therapeutic to play with! I take it you mentioned the lump to someone? Hopefully it isn't causing him pain with the saddle, but I would guess in an area like that, they'd soon know if it was!

Yes, I mentioned it to the teacher, but I've a feeling not much will happen - the horse didn't seem to be reacting bady to being riddden, but "looked" extremely miserable in the class - too subjective to be any good, I know...........

Thanks for the reply.

Rita