sway back horse

i have a 12 yr old arabian gelding that i have had for 3 yrs.he has a sway back now and he doesnt getrode as much but he can still go to an all day show and get ribbons,he is still very active and he is one of the best horses iv ever owned and i want to do whatever possible to make his back stronger or even reverse his sway back(if thats possible).can you tell me what people can do to make my horse more active and prevent his swayback to get any worse.his swayback isnt extreme but it is noticable.you could never tell he was swayback(or even 12)when he is in the show ring and the saddle is on him,i use a fabtron brand saddle that doesnt pinch him and a thick saddle pad,im only 100 and 14 yrs old so im not really hurting him either.as soon as i know what people can do for him im going to call the vet and have them come down and look.and if i can find one i might have a horse chiropractor ome down and do whatever possible for him.

Most horses get a sway back because they are not using your back. Is your horse pushing himself forward with his haunches? Is his head and neck down, his abs working, his back coming up in a nice, floaty manner? Is he collected? It sounds like he needs a topline in general, with means he needs to work on collection.

can you post pics so we can see?

he always has his head up exept when he is walking,he does push off with his hindquarters and he has a nice gait but i woudnt really call it collected.

Work on getting his head down.

Belly lifts are great for strengthening a horse's back. When your on the ground, you can put your hand at the girth and area and stimulate him to raise his tummy and flex his back. It's like sit ups for humans.

Go to this site, it has tons of exercises to strengthen the back. Strengthen Your Horse

Work on that but it is also possible that he has lordosis. Which is a disease that can strike any age or breed of horse. Here is a site with lots of wonderful information.

The Truth about Horse Swaybacks

Wow, this is good info. I always thought swayback was from riding them to young! :(

I would find a Dressage instructor and get some lessons. Dressage will help teach him how to effective use his hind end and his back, to help strength his topline and his ab muscles.

I would also find a good chiropractor, preferably one that also does acupuncture.

For tack, I would invest in a Skito Correction pad. The memory foam will fill in for his sway back and lack of muscle, and allow him to build muscle as he's worked properly. You can swap out the shims as he improves. The foam will make him more comfortable, which will encourage him to use his back and abs more.

piper182-

i read that link and it is GREAT!!! whenever it talks about getting a horse to raise his back etc. wouldnt backing up make a horse do that same motion? sorry i know this is a random question and doesnt really have to do with this thread but it just popped into my mind. thanks so much! =]

Horses are quite capable of backing up with a hollow back.......