Back lady coming next week and im worried im on a slippery slope to beign ripped off?

[Miss L Toe]

Many horses will be tight somewhere so even if it is not a big issue the physio should help him and show you how to work on him if it is a one off.
Re cantering, my boy [aged eight] has needed quite a lot of flat-work to get his canter going, this includes long reining in a circle before riding, and asking for contact. No use on a single lunge rein as he tries to nap when he feels uncomfortable on the right rein.
He needs to be ridden with outside rein contact on the left rein, but tends to lean against the leg on the right rein corner, so you see he really needed an expert [my BHSII] to sort out his problems. Commands must be clear and if he does not do as asked, he has to half halt or checked, and asked again.
We use a schooling whip to back up leg aids, also verbal scolding or encouragement. He gets very little walking in the school as it gives him time to think about naughty things to do!.
He is now offering the canter on the long reining, and is much more forward going at all times, he has always been the type to revert to a nap when out hacking, he can be spooky, and then this develops in to a nap.
A confident rider with an good seat is essential with this type, but there is also the problem of moving [same thing happened to me], a few regular lessons will help, if you are struggling, ask your instructor to ride him for the last thirty minutes of the lesson, while you ride him for the first thirty minutes.

 

[Paris1]

Terri sounds likes run if bad luck with saddle fitters. In 15years it has been suggested twice I need a new saddle, which I agree I did, as my cob filled out. I call on them less now as each time I have them check they tell me my saddle is a great fit. Nothing to do.

 

[Equilibrium Ireland]

Paris, glad to hear that. Like I said, no disrespect to the ones who can actually tell you your saddle does indeed fit and you don't need a new one. I have since found someone I could trust if I have issues.

Terri

 

[darkhorse123]

ty so much all your replies.
I have this morning foudn and rung a local bhs instructor with years of experience - explained everything and she is coming on Saturday and i am goign ot have weekly lessons with her and focus on his schooling.
I have cancelled the backlady for now - when this instructor has seen him i will ask her advice and if she thinks he needs it will ask my vet to see him to give him an "mot"
I will then use a back person if the vet reccomends it

 

[Natch]

Glad you're going to get qualified advice. Hope he behaves well for you. Most people when dealing with misbehaving horses want to rule out pain first, hence why your instructor suggested a back person.

If I may I just make a closing statement about "back people"...

Please get one who is qualified and registered with the appropriate governing body. Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and Osteopaths are all different, so please be sure you know WHICH back person you are getting out, WHO they are qualified and registered with and WHO recommends them. Shiatsu, massage and probably a few other therapists could also be known as a "back person" so make sure you know what you're getting, and if that's actually what you want. Don't be afraid to do your own research rather than rely solely on someone else's opinion. My money would be with a physio every time, but that's perhaps a debate for a different thread.

As bikerchick said, word of mouth is also important in finding a decent professional for your horse, but please be aware that its not the only factor. if in doubt about which to get out, speak to your vet, although many vets aren't really into any of them.

If there are three people I think every horse owner needs in their team its a good instructor/coach/mentor, a good vet and a good foot care person. Everything else can come by recommendation of the above.

 

[darkhorse123]

Glad you're going to get qualified advice. Hope he behaves well for you. Most people when dealing with misbehaving horses want to rule out pain first, hence why your instructor suggested a back person.

If I may I just make a closing statement about "back people"...

Please get one who is qualified and registered with the appropriate governing body. Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and Osteopaths are all different, so please be sure you know WHICH back person you are getting out, WHO they are qualified and registered with and WHO recommends them. Shiatsu, massage and probably a few other therapists could also be known as a "back person" so make sure you know what you're getting, and if that's actually what you want. Don't be afraid to do your own research rather than rely solely on someone else's opinion. My money would be with a physio every time, but that's perhaps a debate for a different thread.

As bikerchick said, word of mouth is also important in finding a decent professional for your horse, but please be aware that its not the only factor. if in doubt about which to get out, speak to your vet, although many vets aren't really into any of them.

If there are three people I think every horse owner needs in their team its a good instructor/coach/mentor, a good vet and a good foot care person. Everything else can come by recommendation of the above.

ty - yes this is why im waiting to see what this instructor thinks of him - she is very qualified and experienced (runs a local reputable ridng school) and if she thinks he has a physical problem i am goign ot ring the vet to see him. I will then do whatever the vet reccoemnds and if she does reccomend a physio i will feel better knowing they are vet reccomended. I do love this forum - i was so confused and worried last night and didnt knwo what to do for the best!
Tbh i also worry that anyone messing with a helthy back could cause problems but like i said before im a very cynical person (wish i wasnt but i cant help it) and find it hard to trust even human doctors sometimes

 

[JanetGeorge]

No she is a qualified physio (i googled her and she was a human physio first) - and she did ask for my vets name and telephone number when i booked her - and thank god im not the only one! Im afraid at grand old age of 46 im now a natural cynic

I feel horrible now for doubting her but i just needed to be sure and knew id get honest opinions here

Haven't read all the thread but I note you think it's NOT his back because he is spooky etc on the ground. I have just finished backing THE most difficult mare we have ever had in to back (and we've had quite a few so-called 'unbreakable' horses!) She was incredibly nervous - of everything! Until we got the physio to her and discovered her back problems, I really despaired we would ever be able to get on her! The physio found she had severely contracted muscles in back and neck - had probably gone over backwards at some stage and - while bruised and sore - hadn't moved properly so everything had seized up! She had 4 sessions of physio and the improvement was considerable - she was still nervous but we were able to back and ride her - and she has now gone home to her owner!

 

[EMC]

Ref. him spooking etc when he leads......Have you done any in-hand groundwork? or just spent time with him in his field/stable in his new environment? That might help to reinforce your role as his leader and your bond with eachother.

I'm no expert on natural horsemanship but it seems to me sometimes we forget the groundwork, get straight on and ride and wonder why it goes wrong. It's like jumping on a stranger and asking for a piggy back before introducing yourself....they are likely to say 's*d off'

 

[darkhorse123]

Ref. him spooking etc when he leads......Have you done any in-hand groundwork? or just spent time with him in his field/stable in his new environment? That might help to reinforce your role as his leader and your bond with eachother.

I'm no expert on natural horsemanship but it seems to me sometimes we forget the groundwork, get straight on and ride and wonder why it goes wrong. It's like jumping on a stranger and asking for a piggy back before introducing yourself....they are likely to say 's*d off'

Because im a wuss and feel much more confident leading thanriding i have done so so much groundwork with him. His manners WHEN he is listening to me are impeccable - he backs up, stops beautifully. He is constantly on alert so my main job is ot keep him focussed on me - loose concentration for a minute and hes looking into the distance, head high up and then worrying. Ive also spent so much time just with him and grooming etc - he is fine for so long but then will hear a noise and become agitated. He is genuineley upset and not happy in this new yard - i feel so guilty fo rmoving him but id no choice - had ot do it for husbands job and a better lifestyle for my teenage daughter - we have moved from a big yorkshire city to a beautiful cheshire small town.
We have been here 6 weeks now and although he is getting better on the whole he still has his moments when quite franky hes dangerous - he hates the bottom fence area of his field for example and will try and nap back in his field gate when i lead him out - this is not good as he is so scared he will just shoot and could either hurt himself on the gate i am trying to close or crush me against it.
Its not much fun trying to close a gate with one hand with a big cob in your other hand ready to charge back into it at any minute, and i cant take forever doing it as there are other horses in the field

 

[ew1801]

ive got the physio coming to my horse tomorrow. first time ive ever needed one so nervous of what/if she finds something

 

[darkhorse123]

ive got the physio coming to my horse tomorrow. first time ive ever needed one so nervous of what/if she finds something

well ive had some excellent advice on here im sure will help you too - good luck

 

[miss_wilson]

Always worth checking all bases, just make sure the lady you get out is qualified! many back people arent and remember pretty much anyone can call themselves an equine physio!!! scary really, i wouldnt let anyone touch my horse without knowing all their credentials!!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Ditto above post basically.

Sorry, I haven't read all the previous posts, but OP it just might be that YOU the rider need some work on YOUR back also???

Often if there is imbalance in the horse, its because the rider is unbalanced. A lot of people have spinal curvature and/or scoliosis; also its quite common to have one leg longer than the other and not realise it (I have, and had to have a medical for something else, and the specialist found it out!!).

So may I urge you to take this opportunity to maybe get your own physique checked out as well as your horse's??? I'm fortunate in that the person who does MY back is also qualified to do equine work as well, which helps a lot.

If you have someone who is qualified; then they will be a member of a professional body and you will know what you are paying for. No, it isn't cheap; but these people have to spent years training, as well as paying for overheads like insurance, professional membership etc etc, not to mention transport. If they can't/won't show you their professional credentials, send them packing.

Whilst I can understand your anxieties about being "ripped off" - and also possible expenses like changing saddles etc, I think you might need to have a slightly different attitude to the whole thing TBH. IF your horse isn't going as well as it could and/or is in pain or discomfort, then that needs to be addressed because if it isn't then there's a good change that your horse might develop bad habits such as bucking, or other evading tactics, and you don't want that. You need to try and figure out WHY that is, and what can be done to improve the situation, and like I say it just could be you, the rider that needs some "tweaking" as well as your horse.

But I think you need to realise that not every "back person" or complementary therapist is a charletan and trying to rip you off!!!

 

[EMC]

Bless him! Good to hear you've already done some ground work and when he isn't too disracted he behaves well. Keep at it, with the wealth of advice on here I'm sure you'll find an answer. Chin up xx

 

[darkhorse123]

Ditto above post basically.

Sorry, I haven't read all the previous posts, but OP it just might be that YOU the rider need some work on YOUR back also???

Often if there is imbalance in the horse, its because the rider is unbalanced. A lot of people have spinal curvature and/or scoliosis; also its quite common to have one leg longer than the other and not realise it (I have, and had to have a medical for something else, and the specialist found it out!!).

So may I urge you to take this opportunity to maybe get your own physique checked out as well as your horse's??? I'm fortunate in that the person who does MY back is also qualified to do equine work as well, which helps a lot.

If you have someone who is qualified; then they will be a member of a professional body and you will know what you are paying for. No, it isn't cheap; but these people have to spent years training, as well as paying for overheads like insurance, professional membership etc etc, not to mention transport. If they can't/won't show you their professional credentials, send them packing.

Whilst I can understand your anxieties about being "ripped off" - and also possible expenses like changing saddles etc, I think you might need to have a slightly different attitude to the whole thing TBH. IF your horse isn't going as well as it could and/or is in pain or discomfort, then that needs to be addressed because if it isn't then there's a good change that your horse might develop bad habits such as bucking, or other evading tactics, and you don't want that. You need to try and figure out WHY that is, and what can be done to improve the situation, and like I say it just could be you, the rider that needs some "tweaking" as well as your horse.

But I think you need to realise that not every "back person" or complementary therapist is a charletan and trying to rip you off!!!

I most certainly dont think every back person is going to rip me off - like most things in life there are good and bad out there and i was asking this question for advice on how to make sure my horse was seen by a reputable person and not a charlatan and most importantly if it was needed - if he does have a healthy back i dont want anyone messing with it.

If you had read all the posts before you would have understood this and seen i have now reached a decision i am comfortable with

 

[darkhorse123]

I most certainly dont think every back person is going to rip me off - like most things in life there are good and bad out there and i was asking this question for advice on how to make sure my horse was seen by a reputable person and not a charlatan and most importantly if it was needed - if he does have a healthy back i dont want anyone messing with it.

If you had read all the posts before you would have understood this and seen i have now reached a decision i am comfortable with

ps - i now understand my horse is unbalanced because he has never cantered in a school for a long long time - i have owned him 3 years and due to his previous very small unsuitable school i have only ever cantered him out on hacks where of course he cantered in straight lines

 

[darkhorse123]

Bless him! Good to hear you've already done some ground work and when he isn't too disracted he behaves well. Keep at it, with the wealth of advice on here I'm sure you'll find an answer. Chin up xx

ty yes im feeling much more positive now

 

[porkchops]

On a totally different slant, could your new grazing be magnesium deficient? That can make them more edgy.

Probably just unsettled by the move, his whole little world has suddenly changed, just stay consistent and hopefully he'll settle back to his normal self soon.

 

[Miss L Toe]

On a totally different slant, could your new grazing be magnesium deficient? That can make them more edgy.

Probably just unsettled by the move, his whole little world has suddenly changed, just stay consistent and hopefully he'll settle back to his normal self soon.

I think you have done the right thing, analysing the problems and dealing with them one by one, I feed Feedmark Steady-up to calm things down, also I have along lead rope which I put over the nose-band of a head-collar to make sure he listens to me when leading and turning out.

 

[canteron]

Hi Darkhorse

Definately get the back checked out ....... if the back person thinks it is the back then get the vet to have a look as well to confirm and establish the route of the problem!!!!! As with humans, often a bad back is a result of a problem, not the cause. That is important.

My horse recently had a personality change - checked back, fine, checked eyes, fine. It turned out the problem was the teeth. My normal dentist had missed something but when the vet checked it out he found a sharp tooth right at the back. It is just a process of elimination.

Good luck.

 

[darkhorse123]

Hi Darkhorse

Definately get the back checked out ....... if the back person thinks it is the back then get the vet to have a look as well to confirm and establish the route of the problem!!!!! As with humans, often a bad back is a result of a problem, not the cause. That is important.

My horse recently had a personality change - checked back, fine, checked eyes, fine. It turned out the problem was the teeth. My normal dentist had missed something but when the vet checked it out he found a sharp tooth right at the back. It is just a process of elimination.

Good luck.

hi and ty - he had his teeth done by my vet last month. I am now wondering about the magnesium deficiency possibility. Lol horses are more complicated than the Krypton factor!

 

[Pale Rider]

I don't see any harm in the 'back lady' having a look if it helps.

My thoughts are that, your horse has become less confidant after the move, if you sort his head out, the other issues will be less of a problem.

It never is wrong to check teeth, back and tack, but most issues horses have to a greater or lesser extent are mental ones.