Ideas for a bad back

[roseyg]

My 8 year old gelding has started tossing his head and is "hopping" when asked to trot. I was at a bomb proofing clinic this weekend and the instructor checked his back and thought it was out. He showed me some exercises and stretches to do with Chico but I was wondering if anyone else had any thoughts.
Thanks, any help would be great!

[Paintedlady]

There are chiropractors for horses, there is one in the Leduc area, i will get his number if you like.

[roseyg]

I wonder if he would come up this way? Once you start with a chyro. does it become a monthly thing? I think it would be worth a phone call if you could please get me the number.
Thanks

[Paintedlady]

www.horsehealth.ca her name is Rebekah Rasmussen.

[FehrGroundRanch]

Where abouts are you located? I am a Certified Equine Massage Therapist, just starting out and would be willing to travel (within reason) to have a look at see what I can do. Alot of the times, and my Chiro agrees, a massage therapy treatment will be more benificial to the horse (the muscles being worked correctly will help the bones into a more natural position)

You can e-mail at fehrgroundranch@hotmail.com
(403) 638-6304

[roseyg]

Sent you an e-mail. Should I be resting and light ground work, rather then riding him at this point? That is my gut feeling.

[buckskinchic]

lots of uphill work will strengthen a horses back over time...

[EquineAlberta]

I would look for the cause of the sore back before trying to fix it. Sore backs usually have a secondary cause such as joint soreness, dental issue, poor saddle fit, or poor riding habits. I would get the vet out to check the teeth and do flexions to check the joints as the first step.

Once you narrow down and eliminate/treat the cause of the sore back then I would enlist the help of a massage therapist to correct and maintain the sore back muscles. If you go with the massage/chiro as the first step and don't address the underlying cause, you will likey find that you will have to maintain the horse with frequent treatments and it will cost more in the long run.

Karen

[Betamax]

Look for the cause...as there are many different things that could be going on.

I would start at the foundation and then look up. By the foundation I mean the shape of the feet...both front and hinds. High heels or overgrown bars, thrush, 'deflated' bulbs etc can cause a change in posture which shifts balance out of the body. If you want to rule this out...post some pics. Here is a little page to help you on the pics http://www.equinextion.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=10

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