hernia-what does one look and feel like?

Question
in july i was given a thin 13 year arabian mare, about 14 1 hands, sweet and friendly, well broke, calm. she had all her shots and was just wormed. feed her 3 pounds twice a day of purina strategy { a quality pelletted feed} and 10 pounds of hay. she is paddocked with a run in shed, ridden on trails twice a week at a walk. i notice a slightly raised, firm oval area 6 inches by 4 inches between her naval and the girth area. it doesn't seem to be tender to the touch. she seems to feel fine and rides willingly and eats well. might it be a hernia? i let a 215 pound man ride her for a couple hours with a light saddle at a walk. could too heavy a person cause a hernia? any advice will be much appreciated.    thanks,  judy

Answer
Hi Judy,

I doubt very much that it's a hernia, I've had a few horses develop fatty tissue lumps in this area.  However, if it gets bigger or starts to get sore, get a vet to check it out.

Please, please, please don't let that man ride her again, he is much too heavy for such a small horse.  You risk injuring her back permanently which could result in her never being able to be ridden or worked in any meaningful way, a disabled horse who lives in pain or having to be put down.

If you need someone to ride her for you, please find someone much lighter.

Cheers