A possible break through thanks to the magic man and his rubber mallet!!!

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casconway191

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Ok where to start. The 'young' (7year old) horse we have is plagued with issues but following a fall on the ice through the winter my mother has been convinced that we need to stop ignoring them and get him checked. I on the other hand would happily bury my head in the sand.

A few of our friends use this guy called Tex who is an osteopath/physio/all sorts of trades guy who is known for his rubber mallet!! Now I am not a huge believer in the alternative therapies as we have dabbled in a few to no avail but we thought we would give this guy a try. I was going along with it as a mum management technique rather than horse management but I may have to take that back.

The 1st thing he picked up on was his mouth which is what drives me crazy. He is very heavy and his mouth is always open showing teeth and gums. Tex said that he had 2 teeth that should have come through at 5 which were stuck just under the surface which would be affecting his whole mouth and make mouthing the bit very uncomfortable. So he just slit the gums and they popped through quite the thing.

Then he looked over the rest of him. He could tell that he had been broken late and that he cramps up over the jump which knocks his confidence. He did some crack and crunching and such like and said that he will now be able to stretch and work towards lengthening which he would have struggled with and that his jumping should also improve.

I was sceptical to say the least but I took him in the school last night to do some flatwork and the difference is unimaginable. His mouth was still 100% of the time. He carried himself and when he was balenced he managed 5/6 really big lengthed strides where before we had nothing!! Now I know this is 1 flatwork session and we have a long way to go but I can honestly say I wasnt expecting a change like that. He got a 27.5 dressage at scone so tex joked he would want to see 18 now!! we can dream.

I have a jumping lesson tonight so I am trying not to get too excited at what he might be able to do. We have always said that he has potential but that something was holding him back. Maybe just maybe we have found the solution.

Sorry for the ramble but I am so relieved we have had a break through as we have had such rubbish luck with horses recently. Fingers crossed we may have turned a corner.

I would say a glass of wine for getting this far but its a bit early so how bout a mocha and a muffin!!

xkx
 
I used to have Tex when i was down in Swindon and he was great- he went off the radar a bit though so we had Anton instead (who was his right hand man) and he was fab as well.

Anton also managed to really free up my back after i broke 2 ribs and pulled all of the muscles and ligaments down one side- the cracking was a bit disconcerting but it felt so much better afterwards!
 
I know lots of people don;t like Tex as they think he is a bit of a cowboy, but actually I have only heard what fantastic results he has with horses! My friend used him on a horrendous bucker, a few smacks with the hammer, and she never bucked again and became a really sweet horse on the flat! He certainly has a way ;)
 
KatB said:
I know lots of people don;t like Tex as they think he is a bit of a cowboy ;)
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Good choice of words there ;) I knew this post would be about Tex as soon as I saw the title!

In all seriousness he worked wonders on a pony we used to have a few years ago... He used to use our place as a base for a weekend with Bob Livock (dentist) about 25 years ago now (come along and have your hroses back and teeth done on the same day sort of thing), although back then he used his hands to manipulate and not the rubber malletts... thats how far we're going back!
 
casconway191 said:
The 1st thing he picked up on was his mouth which is what drives me crazy. He is very heavy and his mouth is always open showing teeth and gums. Tex said that he had 2 teeth that should have come through at 5 which were stuck just under the surface which would be affecting his whole mouth and make mouthing the bit very uncomfortable. So he just slit the gums and they popped through quite the thing.
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How come your dentist/vet never noticed this? And isnt it illegal for someone other than a vet to perform an invasive procedure?

TBH i have only ever heard bad things about TG and his techniques. I also find it interesting that he never stays in one area to work but has been between cornwall and scotland at various stages in the last 20 years- always moving on :confused:
 
To be honest I don't know this gentleman but I am a bit shocked that you allowed him to do this to your horse instead of consulting a vet. If your horse is unhappy, a good vet can work with you to investigate a number of causes and refer you to a specialist such as a qualified physio or dentist as necessary.
 
Brilliant, I swear my my local osteopath, does me and naggie and OH (in that order) (and my vet's horses too). Go for it. We expect photos asap!!!!
 
My only warning would be to say as TG to the best of my knowledge has no formal qualifications and unless he obtains permission from your vet prior to treatment he is effectively acting illegally and would not be covered by any insurance policy so if something was to go wrong (not saying it would or wouldn't but there is always a chance) and that includes your own standard vet policy and any policy TG may or may not have you would have no way to recover costs of further treatment or loss of use etc.
 
Ok enough with the negatives guys. Yes the dentist should have picked up on this and I will be asking him about it. It was hardly invasive as they were sitting right under the gum so it was the smallest nick and I think Toby is greatful he did it.

To be honest I am very wary of vets at the mo and we said to tex that if it was something serious then not do do anything and we would take him to the vet but this was not the case.

He is not based in scotland but was brought up by friends who use him all the time who kindly let me have a slot.

This was meant to be a post to praise this guy as he has manage to turn my horse who I feel goes through the motions and does his job but doesnt enjoy his work into a horse who was so keen to try last night and learn new things and almost seemed disappointed when we stopped.

I dont know if this will last but I could not be happier with the transformation in Tobys outlook. He is just happier all round which you must agree can only be a good thing!

xkx
 
Even cutting a small cut into the mouth is classed as an invasive procedure- i might be wrong but qualified, registered dentists are not allowed to take wolf teeth out, even if they have erupted and no cutting of the gum is required. Legally it has to be done by a vet.

Im glad he helped your horse but imo you took a massive risk letting an unqualified person manipulate your horse and cut its mouth. The damage that could have been done doesnt bear thinking about. and also taking his word that there was nothing serious with the horse- even vets may need further diagnostic techniques to ascertain this.

I have to say i am cringing at the thought of your horse having its mouth cut without pain relief.
 
Another big thumbs up for Tex, he has been doing horses in and around Scotland for last 10 years. I to am very suspicious but after him doing my own back after a horse falling on me, a few cracks and deap breaths later the feeling was amazing, what a relief from the pain and headaches i was having!! That is brill news about your horse and look forward to hearing about your jumping, good luck!!!!!
 
teddyt afaik you are right wolf teeth removal requires veterinary supervision. and hence yup, cutting anything I would figure would class as invasive, well it should do anyway *thinks of all the infections that could have been introduced* is this normal practice anyway for unerrupted teeth, do we not just wait for them to errupt? :confused: regardless of if this means the horse is perhaps a little behind in its dental development?
 
Thank you apple stroodle. I am glad you had a positive experience as well.

I really hope his jumping has been helped but if it hasnt he at least seems a lot happier in himself.


Teddy T - I think what he did relieved more pain in his mouth than drugs could have but you are entitled to your opinion.

xkx
 
I've taken horses to TG. I wouldn't say he is a saint, but he certainly has a way with making horses feel comfy - even if its only tempary. I would therefore have no problems with his methods.
 
TBH, if the owner of the horse is pleased with the results, and the horse is going better for it, does it really matter?!! No-one is saying everyone has to go to this guy, and no one is asking if they should go to this person, someone is saying they are PLEASED with how nicely their horse is going now. Why does everything have to be picked to pieces and criticised because it doesnt fit in with in red tape?!?!?!

If something goes wrong, on the owners head be it, but it hasn't. Sometimes looking outside of the box has good results too. I'm sure the horse doesnt care it "isn't legal" or that a sterilised scapel wasn't used if it feels better as a result.
 
no but am of the view that the rules are there for a reason, to prevent harm to animals and if the edges become blurred where do you stop? Partly because it might not be the 'procedure' that is the problem but the chances of complications.

IMO he could have pointed out the problem and suggested the relevant professional deal with it. The fact that he had something to do it with makes me wonder how often he does do it.
 
But surely most knowledgeable horse owners are capable of making the choice themselves of what they are happy to have done to their horse?

Most people who have used Tex that I have heard of/spoken to admit he doesn't do things by the book, but he gets good results and seems to have a way of knowing what makes a difference.
 
I know you really don't want people to be negative, but have to comment, as I am horrified at what you've written - sorry!!

Mallet men have been around for ever. We had a well known one treat a mare in the late 70's, her performance was just a bit erractic. She was fine for a while after the treatments and we were convinced they were helping, though the treatments were uncomfortable to watch.

When the problem persisted for a few years despite the attentions of the 'practitioner' (btw our vet was completely baffled), we too her to Oakham to the horse hospital. They immediately diagnosed what is now known as EPSM, back then they just said azoturia, which could be treated immediately. The mare was pts a few years later with arthritic lumps along her spine, which I am convinced were due to his manhandling of her.

I am with Teddyt & esther, I can't believe you would let some bloke take a knife to your horses gums...
 
depends on how 'knowledgable' I spose. I am by no means anti alternative treatments have enough of them myself. But (being lower down the competitive scale ;) !) I know many many horse owners who wouldnt have sufficient knowledge to make a decision in that situ and would go along with what anyone told them. I guess the law is there to protect them and their animals.

eta and some of those I know have used tex in the past which is kinda what worries me I suppose.
 
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Yeah I do understand completely where you are coming from, I guess I'm just a bit anti the "nothing should be done unless it's by the book" school of thought, especially when in this case it seems to have helped the horse. ;) I guess I'm just grumpy ;)
 
KatB said:
TBH, if the owner of the horse is pleased with the results, and the horse is going better for it, does it really matter?!! No-one is saying everyone has to go to this guy, and no one is asking if they should go to this person, someone is saying they are PLEASED with how nicely their horse is going now. Why does everything have to be picked to pieces and criticised because it doesnt fit in with in red tape?!?!?!

If something goes wrong, on the owners head be it, but it hasn't. Sometimes looking outside of the box has good results too. I'm sure the horse doesnt care it "isn't legal" or that a sterilised scapel wasn't used if it feels better as a result.
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Aaargh! :) ;)
 
I would personally wonder why someone who appears to be along the osteo route, feels qualified to do dental work? I think my farrier's fabulous but I wouldn't let him within a country mile of my horse's mouth - it's not what he's been trained for, and it's not his job. Would you let this guy do his shoes whilst he was there??

I'm not a fan of acres of red tape or of over-regulation either, but I am quite horrified that someone felt it was appropriate to cut open a horse's mouth without any pain relief, or evidence to support his feeling (even if it turned out right).
And I think there are a LOT of horse owners who would believe what they're told by a 'recommended' person, even if it's total **** and in this case, illegal!

And breathe.....
 
I would personally wonder why someone who appears to be along the osteo route, feels qualified to do dental work?
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Because the two often go hand in hand. And TG used to work extensively with a chap called Bob Livock (maybe still does) who was an equine 'dentist'.
 
amymay said:
Because the two often go hand in hand. And TG used to work extensively with a chap called Bob Livock (maybe still does) who was an equine 'dentist'.
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Sounds extensively qualified then. I work with a lawyer, doesn't make me qualified to practice law....
 
KatB said:
If something goes wrong, on the owners head be it, but it hasn't. Sometimes looking outside of the box has good results too. I'm sure the horse doesnt care it "isn't legal" or that a sterilised scapel wasn't used if it feels better as a result.
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But if something goes wrong its not just the owner affected- the welfare of the horse is compromised. Im certainly not narrow minded as far as treating horses are concerned but i do make sure that any decision i make that will affect my horse is an educated and considered one.

im pleased the OP is happy and her horse appears better off for what has been done. But imo she took an unacceptable risk.

But thats just my opinion - i dont want to appear to be having a go at the OP. I just disagree with the horses 'treatment' and wouldnt have choen that route myself.
 
Tex has worked alongside Bob livock for many years (must be more than 20 years now) and Bob is the only horse dentist that most professional riders will use. All the whitaker horses go down to him in huge lorryloads twice a year. Bob does most of the top international competition horses across europe.

So I agree in normal circumstances a random guy doing what was done here to the OP's mouth would have been shocking , but Tex and Bob do know exactly what they are doing when it comes to teeth and mouths
 
oofadoofa said:
Maybe not, but if you're wanting to compare, I worked with a lawyer for several years and am quite able to do basic conveyancing, etc.

I would say Tex has a pretty good knowledge of what he is doing.
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But you're not a qualified practicing or insured lawyer are you? I wouldn't want you handling my house purchase, put it that way....

If it's invasive dental work, it's illegal for him to be performing it, and therefore he's uninsured. It's a different matter if you're talking about his colleague (presuming he's a practicing, insured dentist - even so, many dental procedures would still have to be performed or attended to by vets). I wouldn't even be confident that my horse's insurance would cover any subsequent treatment should it go wrong.
 
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