Rachel massaging
Eve
Mr AJ
A thermal imagaing service is offered for back and pelvis problems. This will help locate the area of pain and discomfort
Vertebral and pelvic fractures manifest with reluctance on the animal's part to move, and every indication of severe crippling pain associated with gross muscle wasting. Any form of treatment calls for close veterinary supervision; all cases eventually require muscle stimulation and rehabilitation.
The 'problem back' is the one producing some signs of discomfort and reduction in performance ability, but without obvious clinical findings. These types of back are almost certainly a result of ligament strain and associated muscle problems.
A disturbing feature of the aching back is the fact that the great majority of so-called 'backs' are not backs at all. Soreness and discomfort in the back have occurred as a result of a problem in a limb causing the horse to work out of balance, the uneven stresses falling on the back. The uneven stresses cause pain and the 'back experts have a field day. The answer is to find and cure the limb problem, and then the back will recover. A recent case, seen for recurrent problems in the withers and many times manipulated, was found on examination to have a fracture of a pastern bone. In most cases wither pain is due to sore feet, joints or a saddle not fitting. If the wither is still tender on palpation after continual treatment then seek veterinary advice and look further for the problem.
In a genuine back problem, reduce the pain, stimulate the appropriate muscle groups, reeducate the movement pattern, check the saddle fit and find the cause.
Or could it be your back problem causing the horse's?
Left - normal spinal position.
Right - excessive extension causing the vertebrae irritation and soft tissue strain to the ventral ligament. Also kissing spine syndrome.
Thermal image shows a horse with nerve irritation, this can lead to kissing spine if the problem persists. The following exercises below will help reduce the nerve irritation.
The thoracic lift
Every horse suffers from some pain and discomfort. Equine Therapy is becoming very popular as riders and owners become aware of their horse's needs.
Equine Therapy focuses on helping the horse obtain optimum performance. It does this by providing quality treatment that pinpoints a horse's weakness, stressed areas and then works to bring the body back to balance.
The techniques used are: massage, manipulation, stretching, TENS machine, red and infrared light treatment, pain point scanner, saddle fitting, shoeing advice in relations to scanner feed back and holding patterns in the muscles.