Yesterday i had a Chiropractor come out to see Spice since before i owned her she'd never before seen one and when i had one come out to see her shortly afterwards they had said she was too sore to have anything done and had even suggested that she could have Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy which at the time i was very skeptical about since she had only just recovered from being lame on her hind hoof for almost 8 weeks which in my view was far more likely to be the reason behind any soreness.
And i am pleased to say that yesterday the Chiropractor confirmed my skepticism finding no reason whatsoever to suspect Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy. The only bit of soreness she could find was in her right hind leg (the one which had the hoof abscess) where she said that due to the lameness Spices muscles had shortened in comparison to the other side and that she wasn't able to flex as much but that in time this would even itself out and that i just needed to do some stretches after working her.
She recommended that she see Spice again in 4 weeks time to work on the area again but that she didn't see that there would be a need for any further treatment after that.
So i am really pleased because her back is absolutely fine which means her treeless saddle must fit her well and apart from a bit of soreness in her leg which is not affecting her ability to work she in very good shape. :)
The Chiropractor i used to treat Spice was Claire Warman who works primarily in the Somerset/Avon area. She has some of the highest credentials in the industry and is also embarking on a Msc in Veterinary Physiotherapy at Harper Adams University College. If anyone is in need of a Chiropractor in the Somerset/Avon area I would definitely recommend her. She spent over an hour manipulating/massaging/stretching Spices ligaments/muscles and Spice genuinely seemed to love it.
Showing posts with label Chiropractors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chiropractors. Show all posts
Saturday, 11 September 2010
Monday, 17 May 2010
132. Spices Back Check Up.
Today Spice had her appointment with a Chiropractor to double check that the lameness wasn't due to a problem with her back....and i am very pleased to say that after a thorough check the chiropractor thought the same as i did - that the lameness was primarily being caused by the lack of structure in Spices hind hoof. Therefore, it is just a matter of waiting for the hoof to grow until it has enough structure to support itself again. :)
I am so happy with the diagnosis as i was worrying that the lameness could be being caused by something more serious but i am now confident that it isn't.
The good news is the Chiropractor also advised me to start hand walking Spice out and about as much as possible as movement will encourage blood flow and speed up hoof growth. So, as soon as i get some hoof boots for her front hooves i should be set to go.
Interestingly, the Chiropractor also made a comment about Spices withers which when pressed on either side were slightly sore. Having only used my new treeless saddle twice for only an hour at a time she said that she very much doubted that the soreness was due to this saddle but probably due to the last saddle and that given that it was over 4 months ago since i used the saddle was probably incredibly sore at the time which explains so much...
For one, Spice always moved away from the mounting block as i went to mount her so could it be that rather than being disrespectful or misbehaving she was actually just sore?
Fen, my friends horse only a few weeks ago was so bad at standing still at the mounting block that on her own (without anyone standing in front) it might take her up to 2 minutes to mount her. However, wondering if it could be a problem with her back (after a bucking fit) she had an appointment with the Chiropractor and was immediately diagnosed as having a problem with her Sacroiliac joint and needing four weeks off, aswell as long reining and lunging before attempting to ride her again. After following these instructions, the next time my friend went to get on Fen, she didn't move an inch. In fact, my friend didn't even bother holding the reins she stood that still.
So, once again...horses don't just 'take the piss' sometimes they are genuinely just trying to tell you something and those that LISTEN to their horses and TRUST them are those that i consider to be good horsemen (and horsewomen) :)
If we do not listen to our horses and trust them - how can we expect them to do the same?
The Chiropractor i used to assess Spices back is based in North Somerset and can be found on the following website: http://www.thebacklady.co.uk
I am so happy with the diagnosis as i was worrying that the lameness could be being caused by something more serious but i am now confident that it isn't.
The good news is the Chiropractor also advised me to start hand walking Spice out and about as much as possible as movement will encourage blood flow and speed up hoof growth. So, as soon as i get some hoof boots for her front hooves i should be set to go.
Interestingly, the Chiropractor also made a comment about Spices withers which when pressed on either side were slightly sore. Having only used my new treeless saddle twice for only an hour at a time she said that she very much doubted that the soreness was due to this saddle but probably due to the last saddle and that given that it was over 4 months ago since i used the saddle was probably incredibly sore at the time which explains so much...
For one, Spice always moved away from the mounting block as i went to mount her so could it be that rather than being disrespectful or misbehaving she was actually just sore?
Fen, my friends horse only a few weeks ago was so bad at standing still at the mounting block that on her own (without anyone standing in front) it might take her up to 2 minutes to mount her. However, wondering if it could be a problem with her back (after a bucking fit) she had an appointment with the Chiropractor and was immediately diagnosed as having a problem with her Sacroiliac joint and needing four weeks off, aswell as long reining and lunging before attempting to ride her again. After following these instructions, the next time my friend went to get on Fen, she didn't move an inch. In fact, my friend didn't even bother holding the reins she stood that still.
So, once again...horses don't just 'take the piss' sometimes they are genuinely just trying to tell you something and those that LISTEN to their horses and TRUST them are those that i consider to be good horsemen (and horsewomen) :)
If we do not listen to our horses and trust them - how can we expect them to do the same?
The Chiropractor i used to assess Spices back is based in North Somerset and can be found on the following website: http://www.thebacklady.co.uk
Sunday, 16 May 2010
130. Assessing Lameness...
Tomorrow i have a Chiropractor coming to see Spice just to check her over as she is still lame in trot (although thankfully not to the same scale she was) and she also hasn't had her back checked since last October so i thought it would be a good idea. I am still convinced that it is her hoof which is causing the lameness although my farrier wasn't so it will be interesting to see if we get any closer to finding out what is. In a way i hope it is her hoof as i know it will just be a matter of time until the hoof grows out and that hopefully any lameness will then subside.
Each day that goes by, i see a slight improvement in her movement and for at least the past two days she has been far more lively and alert indicating i think that she is on the mend.
I am due to stop her danilon (painkiller) in a couple of days time so i only hope that her high spirits remain and are not simply due to the painkiller.
I am so eager to start doing things with her again. I can't help but feel we have taken a few steps backwards in view of the fact that we haven't done anything for so long so i imagine i will have to start gently and go over some old stuff with her.
The first thing i will definitely do is make sure i have hoof boots which fit her. So far, i have purchased Easy boot gloves for her hind hooves and will hopefully be getting some Renegades for her front hooves. This way at least i can start going hacking with her again which is something i am desperate to do.
However, before i start hacking her out again i will have to get her fit again - as although she hasn't put on any weight (in fact she's lost it if anything) she has lost muscle tone - especially around her top line so hopefully i will get to use our new passoa soon.
I am currently feeding her Speedi Beet and Happy hoof which seems to be agreeing with her but i would like her to gain some weight so might look for a feed slightly more calorific but still low in sugar if that exists!
Each day that goes by, i see a slight improvement in her movement and for at least the past two days she has been far more lively and alert indicating i think that she is on the mend.
I am due to stop her danilon (painkiller) in a couple of days time so i only hope that her high spirits remain and are not simply due to the painkiller.
I am so eager to start doing things with her again. I can't help but feel we have taken a few steps backwards in view of the fact that we haven't done anything for so long so i imagine i will have to start gently and go over some old stuff with her.
The first thing i will definitely do is make sure i have hoof boots which fit her. So far, i have purchased Easy boot gloves for her hind hooves and will hopefully be getting some Renegades for her front hooves. This way at least i can start going hacking with her again which is something i am desperate to do.
However, before i start hacking her out again i will have to get her fit again - as although she hasn't put on any weight (in fact she's lost it if anything) she has lost muscle tone - especially around her top line so hopefully i will get to use our new passoa soon.
I am currently feeding her Speedi Beet and Happy hoof which seems to be agreeing with her but i would like her to gain some weight so might look for a feed slightly more calorific but still low in sugar if that exists!
Saturday, 15 May 2010
128. Vets, Farriers, Barefoot Trimmers, Chiropractors, Instructors, and Physios...
Today was the first day in a while that Spice actually trotted up to the gate on my arrival. So, i think she is feeling slightly better than she was yesterday....I even watched her canter around the field for a while which was a lovely reassuring site.
The day before yesterday i spoke to my barefoot trimmer, Sarah, who is so far one of a very few number of professionals i have met in the horse industry that is truly passionate about their welfare. You can tell that she is saddened by the way in which most horses are treated and that she always puts the horse first. She even said she wouldn't even ride a horse that wasn't hers due to the fact that she would feel as though she would just be 'using' it having not spent any time developing a bond with it.
She is 'all about the hoof' but has an incredible 'way' with horses. My friend recently said to me that in order to make a decision with regards Spice i had to put my trust into someone (which so far i have found hard to do) - for various reasons. But she's right i do need to trust someone and last night i decided to start trusting my barefoot trimmer - not only because i think she has a really kind soul but also because she is a hoof specialist and who better to help Spice through her transition than someone who knows the hoof inside out? In my view, 'most' vets are like GPs they know a bit about everything but not 'enough' about each thing. Most farriers are probably brilliant at shoeing and doing remedial work to the hoof but again because they haven't specialised in how to transition a shod horse to being unshod are they likely to be the best person to put your trust in?
I trust my barefoot trimmer on a personal level not just because of what she is but because of who she is. I love people who are passionate about horses to the point where they put them first and i believe my barefoot trimmer has this kind of passion...i only wish more professionals did.
The day before yesterday i spoke to my barefoot trimmer, Sarah, who is so far one of a very few number of professionals i have met in the horse industry that is truly passionate about their welfare. You can tell that she is saddened by the way in which most horses are treated and that she always puts the horse first. She even said she wouldn't even ride a horse that wasn't hers due to the fact that she would feel as though she would just be 'using' it having not spent any time developing a bond with it.
She is 'all about the hoof' but has an incredible 'way' with horses. My friend recently said to me that in order to make a decision with regards Spice i had to put my trust into someone (which so far i have found hard to do) - for various reasons. But she's right i do need to trust someone and last night i decided to start trusting my barefoot trimmer - not only because i think she has a really kind soul but also because she is a hoof specialist and who better to help Spice through her transition than someone who knows the hoof inside out? In my view, 'most' vets are like GPs they know a bit about everything but not 'enough' about each thing. Most farriers are probably brilliant at shoeing and doing remedial work to the hoof but again because they haven't specialised in how to transition a shod horse to being unshod are they likely to be the best person to put your trust in?
I trust my barefoot trimmer on a personal level not just because of what she is but because of who she is. I love people who are passionate about horses to the point where they put them first and i believe my barefoot trimmer has this kind of passion...i only wish more professionals did.
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