Case studies continued.....

8 year old Intermediate event horse presented for treatment as the rider reported the horse was having difficulty maintaining canter. After striking off in canter the horse would stop and not go forwards. Significant areas of muscular spasm and soreness were found in the hindquarters, lumbar and sacroiliac region. A large amount of soft tissue work was carried out as well as manipulation. The pelvis was adjusted as well as misalignments in the rest of the body. The horse was checked two weeks later and a significant improvement was found, further soft tissue treatment was used. Work is currently being gradually increased over the next fortnight before reintroducing canter work. The horse's progress is being checked in one months time.
UPDATE September 2010... The horse has now gained his first BE points at Intermediate level!

6 year old ex racehorse referred by owner's vet due to problems under saddle. Initially he was found to be extremely uncomfortable throughout his back, particualry in the lumbar area. He was quite difficult to treat, obviously in pain and very anxious. We perservered and managed to get a reasonable amount of work done. He was a totally different horse in terms of temperament when he was seen 2 weeks later. It was now apparent the real discomfort was coming from the lumbar and sacral area on the off side. He is now a much happier horse and able to continue his ridden education, working alongside the vet and farrier we seem to be making excellent progress.

12 year old dressage horse started shaking her ears when ridden, particularly during collected work and in canter. Symptoms were gradually becoming more severe. The vet had investigated possibility of a problem with the ear, such as infection. The saddle had already been checked by a saddler and teeth were checked every six months. On treatment the atlas was found to be misaligned, a number of misalignments were also found in the neck and withers. Massage was used to treat severe muscle spasm in the poll area and lower neck. After a period of rest and a gradual return to work the symptoms improved dramatically, the horse is now on a maintenance treatment programme along with regular massage and stretching exercises.

10 year old RC gelding began severly napping - spinning round and bucking - when ridden in the school and whilst hacking. The horse was treated and work gradually reintroduced. Minor misalignments were treated throughout the body and the owner was advised to have the saddle checked as some asymmetry was seen in the flocking. The owner found an immediate improvement in the horse's behaviour and was advised on a maintenance treatment programme and to seek treatment if any symptoms looked like returning in between check-ups.

19 year old mare referred by owner's vet due to a significant increase in stiffness and reluctance to go forwards. The horse was believed to be midly arthritic but the vet believed a lot of the problems were related to back pain. The horse was found to be particularly tight and sore from the middle of the thoracic spine all the way to the top of the pelvis. The mare has now been treated twice and her owner has noticed a great change in her behaviour. She is now happily enjoying her hacks again and the yard manager has even noted a change in her temperament and commented that she had been much more energetic in the field!