Listen to Your Horse
Alternative equine therapies such as chiropractic, acupressure and massage are quickly becoming more recognized and sought after. I am very proud to be a part of this movement which allows a more holistic approach to treating many health and performance problems. Having said that, I am also a staunch supporter of necessary veterinary care. These therapies do not replace traditional veterinary medicine and surgery. I advise all horse owners to be proactive about their horses medical needs and seek veterinary attention when concerns or suspicions arise. Please be aware of the fact that while some veterinarians are open to the idea of equine chiropractic, others are not and may not support your decision to pursue alternative therapies.
Whether your horse is just starting to train, an active competitor, a retired competitor, a pleasure horse or a rescue, equine therapy is always something to consider. Chiropractic can increase the general health and well being of all of our equine partners, regardless of age or discipline. Listen to what your horse is trying to tell you, through performance and behavior so that you may facilitate his/her healing.
After 14 years as an Equine Therapist, I feel very strongly about ensuring proper saddle fit for all of my clients. Improper saddle fit is all too often the cause of behavioral and/or physical issues plaguing our horses. We have to do better by them and with more access to saddle fit information and qualified saddle fitters, there is no longer an excuse not to. You can protect the health and well being of your horse, your own safety, as well as your communication while riding, by being aware of the effect your saddle fit has and taking step to ensure its fit. Saddle fit is constantly overlooked by owners, coaches, trainers, vets and other body work practitioners when it should be one of the first things we consider. Equinox Health, in addition to many other educators, has a great Saddle Fit clinic available. Please use the resources available to educate yourself. I cannot emphasize the importance of saddle fit enough. This knowledge could save your life.
Performance Problems Indicating a Need for Saddle Fit Assessment and/or Therapeutic Care:
- “Cold backed” during mounting
- Slow to warm up or relax
- Resists work
- Reluctance to stride out,
- Hock, stifle, and obscure hind limb lameness
- Front leg lameness, stumbling and tripping
- Excessive shying, lack of concentration on rider and aids
- Rushes to or from fences, or refuses jumps
- Rushes downhill, or pulls uphill with the front end
(exhibits improper use of back or hindquarters) - Demonstrates an inability to travel straight
- is unwilling or unable to round the back or neck
- Displays difficulty maintaining impulsion or collection
- Twists over fences
- Falters or resists when making a transition
- Issues with lead changes
- Bucks or rears regularly
- Exhibits sudden, decreased speed in any timed sport
- Is slow out of the starting gate
- Ducks out of turns, turns wide
- Increases resistance as a riding session progresses
- Asymmetry of movement
Behavioural Problems Indicating a Need for Saddle Fit assessment and/or Therapeutic Care:
- Objects to being saddled
- Unable to stand still or relax, or fidgets when being mounted
- Hypersensitive to brushing
- Exhibits a “bad attitude”
- Difficult to trim/shoe
- Bucks or rolls excessively
- Rearranges the stall bedding constantly
- Displays repetitive behaviours
- Constant pointing or cocking hooves
- Assumes resting positions unusual for particular horse
(camped out in front/behind).
Visual Signs Indicating a Need for Saddle Fit Assessment and/or Therapeutic Care:
- White spots under the saddle area
- Inflammation over the spine or topline muscles
- Imbalance in topline muscles
- Atrophy in topline muscles
- One shoulder larger that the other