swayback....

[royaldakotabreez]

The lady that bought my saddle has a BEAUTIFUL grulla gelding for sale, and even offered to let me make payments on him....i'm sorta considering it, since he's supposed to be really broke and he's gorgeous to boot, but mom said he looked swaybacked....
i know what it is, but other than that, can it affect a horse in the long run? make him/her unrideable, painful?

here's the lady's website, please tell me what you think...not sure if this is the right place to put this thread, please feel free to move it if needed :
the gelding is on the for sale page
http://www.boxersandbridles.4t.com/photo3.html

[DappleGrayMyWay]

Wow, what a tank! And he is so pretty, and has such a sweet face. That swayback...it's MINOR compared to some. How old is he? If he's young, well, that's more of an issue because it might indicate a larger problem. If he's older, it's just time and gravity. With good conditioning it'll come up some. Of course he might not be sway at all, he could have high withers and a big butt. Once you see him in person you'll know.

There are pads you can get to help compensate for the sway.

My mare is swaybacked and it doesn't get in the way at all. I make sure I monitor her for saddle soreness issues extra carefully. (You can see the difference between her back and my gelding's in my avatar. Use that image to help you see if this grulla's also swayed.)

If he's older, I'd be a little concerned about the price (forgive me!). If he's younger, you need to have that back evaluated by your vet before you start making payments.

[beezwing]

I would get a second opinion..I think he may just be lacking in topline muscle and with regular work he will fill back in
But I could be way of base, I am no confirmation expert.

k

[morgan]

I don't think its sway back. He's real high in the hip and slopey in the croup. He's cute. I wouldn't be conserned about it. I too think its muscling or lack of it.

[royaldakotabreez]

are there exercises i can do with him if i decide to get him to strengthen his topline and the muscles in his back?

she says he's nine years old....he's registered, but his papers were burned in a fire, so i would definitely have the vet look at his teeth to tell me for sure...

[mafarion]

I think it is just his loin coupling+ the severe slope of his croup. He also appears to be downhill, which could give the appearance of swayback along with the other two factors.

Apart from that he looks like a very nice boy, though I'm not seeing grulla. I am by no means a color expert though!

[EquineAlberta]

Shouldn't you be able to get new papers issued from the registry if their fire story is true?

I would consider Saddle fit as a possible issue.

Excercises that help are work over poles and really low jumps, hill work, and long and low trotting. You can also do a stretch where you press your fists up along their midline to lift their back.

We have an 8 year old "pity buy" pony with a horrible sway back (bred too young and ridden when pregnant) that is doing well and even jumping with no issues.

Karen

[royaldakotabreez]

mom made a good point....she said she had a bad farrier and he was clipped too short, so he was kinda sore, and there's no telling if that's true or if that's how he walks....i think i'm going to pass on him...it's just starting to sound too good to be true, and i can't afford a lame horse, especially one for that price....

[roguemare]

omgoodness...she's growing up...

I too liked this gelding...but was leary of the lameness...and I think its too high a price for him...and also...school first. Just moms opinion.

[tuffsmom]

Get a vet check on the horse if you are thinking about it. If this is the same horse, I saw an ad on him a while ago and I would just get a vet check if he is sore on the front.

[lelo2006]

Not that bad at all. Probably just stands wierd.