Many different causing factors can lead to swayback such as genetics, age, conformation, pregnancy, excessive strain on the back and/or a lack of exercise. There is no permanent cure for swayback however there are different exercises and precautions that can be taken to strengthen a swayback horse.

Can a sway back horse be ridden?

Whether a swaybacked horse can be ridden depends on the severity of the sway and the horse's expected activity. Mild deformation in a horse gentle enough for small children to ride quietly may be perfectly acceptable.

Can sway back be fixed?

In the absence of any other health conditions that may be a contributing factor, swayback posture can be treated by lengthening tight muscles, such as your hip muscles and hamstrings, and strengthening weak muscles, such as your abdominals.

Is it normal for a horse to have a sway back?

Since it's a long-term and often an innate condition, rather than developing suddenly, the horse's body learns to gradually “grow into it.” However, a swayback may be caused by regularly carrying an excessive load, especially by immature horses or those with long backs.

How does sway back affect horses?

Swayback, also known clinically as lordosis, refers to abnormal bent-back postures in humans and in quadrupeds, especially horses. Extreme lordosis can cause physical damage to the spinal cord and associated ligaments and tendons which can lead to severe pain.

Ask the Vet - Swayback in horses

22 related questions found

How long does it take to correct sway back?

Although there are no overnight fixes for sway-back posture – a posture that takes years to develop – UPRIGHT users report seeing positive results in as little as 14 days.

Is sway back genetic?

The gene that leads to swayback is recessive, meaning that both parents must pass on the gene to allow the trait to show up in offspring. In a larger study that examined more horses, 80% of horses with the physical trait had two copies of the chromosome sequence.

How long does lordosis take to fix?

Hypolordosis can be corrected non-surgically through rehabilitation exercises and if done correctly, symptoms can be reduced in 3-6 months.

What saddle is best for a swayback horse?

We recommend trying a Cordura or flex tree saddle, which are significantly lighter than the traditional leather with a wood tree combination. Your saddle pad is also a crucial part to fitting your swaybacked horse. You want to avoid your saddle leaning against your horse's withers or against the rear dip of his back.

What age do horses get swayback?

"The back abnormality usually progresses with skeletal growth and becomes apparent in the first 18 months of life.

Can lordosis be corrected in horses?

Swayback or lordosis is weakening of a horse's supporting ligaments along the spine. ... Lordosis can't be completely cured, but horses with swayback can remain active well into their older years if you take steps to strengthen the back with muscle-building exercises.

Can a chiropractor fix lordosis?

Using chiropractic methods, the Cornerstone Chiropractic team helps regain proper posture, reduces chronic pain, and restores range of motion through spinal adjustments and a variety of exercises specifically designed for cervical lordosis.

Why do horses backs dip?

A dipped back often occurs in older horses when the back muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues responsible for holding the vertebrae in alignment weaken, allowing the spine to sag. When lordosis appears in younger horses, it often is caused by deformed vertebrae that prevent the spine from aligning correctly.

Are treeless saddles good for swayback horses?

Answer: Horses with a swayed back can go very well in a treeless saddle. ... If the rider has a thin thigh and the horse has a relatively narrow back, or at least is narrow through the rider's leg area, both horse and rider will be very comfortable.

Is sway back scoliosis?

The upper chest area has a normal roundback, or kyphosis, while in the lower spine there is a swayback, or lordosis. However, when a spine with a scoliosis is viewed from behind, a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature may be apparent.

How do you sleep with a sway back?

However, for many of us, we have what is known as a 'sway-back' or increased lower back curve. Therefore, if you are waking up with morning stiffness, place a pillow under your knees so that your knee bends slightly, this will significantly reduce your morning lower back pain.

What is the difference between sway back and flat back?

A hyperlordosis (sway back) is where the normal lordosis of the spine is over-exaggerated thus the neck is more prominent and the buttocks protrude. In laymen's terms, it means that your spine curves inward more than it should naturally. ... A hypolordosis (flat back) is quite literally the opposite.

Are horses born with sway back?

Most horses with sway backs weren't born that way. Most often, they occur because the horse has not been taught how to carry a rider properly.

Do horses backs hurt?

Back pain is a common finding in performance horses. There are many clinical exam as well as diagnostic techniques available to localize symptoms of discomfort to the back.

Should a horses back dip?

Many otherwise healthy horses dip away from pressure from hands on the back. Generally, a horse that has less muscle and fat cover on the top-line will dip away from pressure more than one with full muscle cover.