Hi Everyone! I'm new to Barnmice, this is my first post!

I own a 14 year old QH gelding that I've had for 8 years. He's really awesome, he'll be mine for as long as he's alive. He's done everything I've ever asked of him, and can do pretty much any english discipline. He's been totally sound, and I've been VERY lucky with him *knock wood* that his very first injury did not take place until last May. I'm a constant worry-wart and was hoping there are others out there with similar experiences with this particular injury.

As mentioned, it happened last May. I was not there to see the exact moment of injury, but when I brought him in to ride one mucky and rainy day, I noticed he had a Hunter's Bump that randomly appeared. He seemed totally normal tacking up and his usual self. I took him to the arena and lunged him, and I noticed he was really sticky but NOT lame coming down from a canter into a trot. I stopped him and felt along his back and there was a bit of heat coming from his "Hunter's Bump". I'm always one to follow gut feelings, so I didn't ride, untacked him and mentioned it to my BM. The vet was coming out to do vaccinations in 2 days time, so we decided to just have her look at him then.

The vet palpatated along his back and he flinched away from her touch. She suggested that it was a Sacroilliac Ligiment injury and to give him some time off, some Bute for a few days to help with inflammation, a smaller paddock on individual turnout and to consider a chiropractor. I did all those things. After the chiropractor adjustment, the results were amazing... he ran to the gate to see me for weeks after, whether he was turned out alone or not, something he'd never done before. I also replaced my Close Contact saddle with a wider tree dressage saddle. I think the saddle was a big part of any back issues he has. I also around July moved him to a different barn. New barn has WAY less mud, HUGE HUGE HUGE fields and he'd be on 24/7 turnout. I have no indoor arena at this new place, but considering how awesome everything else was/is I think it was a good sacrifice. My new BM is absolutely amazing... she gives me play by plays of my geldings "schedule" when I can't make it out to the barn! Over the summer I did a lot of reading on his injury, and discovered that the better physical shape he was in, the less likely it would flare up again. It all made sense, if I rode for several days in a row, he'd progressively get better. He was a bit stiff at the beginning of our rides, but not unsound. If anything, he'd take short steps with his hind end and be a bit sticky in transitions but he worked out of it. We always lunged with an underrein at the beginning of each workout and he'd trot over trotting poles as well as back up. There were also several stretches that I did/do with him before and after each ride to stretch out his muscles from the ground.

I went for a holiday at the end of August and when I came back, things were a bit different. He'd been fine jumping X's all summer but suddenly he would refuse to rock back on his bum to jump properly and his canter was so unbalanced we just never did it. He's been on Recovery EQ since his injury and just recently I started him on Recovery EQ Extra Strength because I figured the damp from this time of year might give him some bad days.
All winter I've only been out once a week, and with no arena I've just stuck to our fields. He's been really good..., energetic and extra springy. Not at all what he was around fall time 2010. I'm starting to second guess what I should do this spring/summer with him, because even though this barn has way less mud, I'm still absolutely terrified he's going to hurt himself again. He lost a lot of muscle over winter.

He had his 2nd chiro adjustment just after moving to the new barn. It was about an hour trailer ride and after going out in his new field, he kicked a bit at a pony and his back flared up again. Not nearly as bad as the first time, and I don't know if it was the kicking (which he RARELY does) or if it was the trailer. Since the adjustment again, he has been sound.

It's just such a hit or miss injury, and a lot of what I've read has talked about it being really frusterating for horse owners. I have the vet (a different one) coming out in May again to fully look over and examine his back again. I was hoping to do flexion tests and for him to watch him moving. I know that will really help... but in the mean time I'm CONSUMED with worry! Has anyone else dealt with this injury before?