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Message |
    
Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro
Post Number: 915
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 1, 2009 - 8:09 pm: |   |
Hi All, been off board for quite some time.
I am just curious if about something. I have been using a rake brush on Levi's to get the big clumps of winter hair out. When I rake it down the center of his back, he flexes or lowers his back, almost like it tickles more than hurts. Is this something that is just ticklish, or is it an indicator that his back is sore? What tests could I do to rule out a sore back?
thank
suz |
Jesse Mitchell
Member
Username: mitch316
Post Number: 121
Registered: 2-2009
| | Posted on Friday, May 1, 2009 - 11:05 pm: | |
Susan, I have a mare that does the same thing. You can take your finger and slightly push down on each joint; if Levi shies or jumps, then the back is sore. My mare just arches her back, like a cat. I have found that she like it, but it is almost "too much joy to bear", but that is just a theory. To test that one, start at the base of the tail and scratch with your fingernails in a back and forth motion all the way up to the mane. If he shudders and closes his eyes, then he loves it. May even doze off while you are doing it. Or that could just be Cheyennes sweet spot, but the others seem to enjoy it too...man I spoil them too much, I think! |
Susan M. Herrick
Member
Username: quatro
Post Number: 916
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, May 1, 2009 - 11:56 pm: | |
Thanks for the reply Jesse, Levi can be munching on his hay when I brush him, and he doesn't skip a beat with eating, but he drops his back like it tickles more or less
I think it seems to be just sensitive, but i wonder how it will affect his saddle fit.
Suz |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: mrose
Post Number: 4890
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Saturday, May 2, 2009 - 1:12 am: | |
I think all horses have a spot on their backs that causes them to tighten their back and "drop" or flinch when you touch it. A lot of Arabian people touch the spot to see how a horse will look in the show ring when it is poised for halter classes,as the back is tightened and straight in the class and when you touch "the spot." |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 22900
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Saturday, May 2, 2009 - 7:09 am: | |
Hello Susan,
As mentioned above this can be absolutely normal behavior, is this a change you should check to see if the skin is normal where sensitive and if so unlikely a indication of problems.
DrO |
Susie in AZ
Member
Username: sodmonst
Post Number: 25
Registered: 12-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, May 2, 2009 - 11:30 am: | |
Hi Susan,
It sounds like the rake is the only implement that gets this response from Levi. I wonder if he does this with any others, and what his expression is like when he does this. I'm not the expert here for sure, but that's what comes up for me. It's nice for Levi that you help him to get rid of that old hair  |
