' Back ' People

[TicTac]

Do you really think it's possible for a back person to put your horse right in one half hour visit with a bit of leg and tail pulling and a nudge of a few muscles?

My horse had a visit today and considering all the ' problems' she is supposed to have, apparently she doesn't need to be seen again for at least 6 months and carry on as I have been!

 

[Louby]

Mmmm
Ive had dealings with 2 'back people', the first looked like a decorator, I know you shouldnt judge people by there appearances but I was put off straight away. This person ran a broom handle down my horses spine, pulled her tail, contorted her legs into un thought off positions and told me to keep her in and they be back in a week. Id only agreed to have her looked at as everyone else on the yard was so thought I was doing the right thing, I didnt think she had a problem but it turned out she was the only one on the yard with a 'problem'.
Smelling a rat I rang my vet and they'd never heard of this person before and gave me the number to there certified back person who came out said yes she had a bit of muscle soreness, patted, banged and put what ever was out back in! I was since told by a vet that in there opinion it was probably impossible for a human to put something back so easily on something the size of a horse, so Im sitting on the fence with this one.

Oh forgot to say we heard a few years later that back person no 1 had been to see a horse and left it in agony, it turned out it had a fractured pelvis after the vet seen it and as this back person wasnt registered etc, the insurance refused to pay out.

 

[glenruby]

No. They can sort things out for the short term but everything needs to be backed up by strengthening exercises, building muscle, physio/massage etc. I really dont believe that the majority of the movements you mention can "cure" a horse - and tbh I am more than sceptical that the things they say are actually wrong in the first place.

I remember working wiht yearlings TBs and we used to get an apparently well respected chiropracter ( who talked a hell of a lot of crap - wed just pretend to listen and let him get on with it). A few of the yearlings were poor walkers, stiff backs, short strides etc. After applying to pressure to various muscles in the loins, quarters etc they ofen did walk out better immediately - however by evening they were exactly as before.
Id sooner get a physio or an acupuncturist if it were my horse. For the most part they tend to be better qualified to assess a horses muscular/physical problems. (and of course a vet!)

 

[glenruby]

I agree Louby with regards to what your vet sai about a human not being able to put something back easily on ahorse. I do however feel that mscle problems (on external muscles - ie not deep pelvic ms) can be manipulated by hand - though not easily. But in these cases - get a physio, at least you know they have proper qualifications that are regulated by an official body ( not one that someone created from their garden shed!)

 

[hadfos]

No absolutely not!It is impossible for a human to push something on a horse back in,they can manipulate and massage but it will take months not just 1 session and therapeutic riding to make sure horse is using all muscles evenly!we have an equine physio come and look at ours,she checks them over..if they need work she does the work and then gives you a list of exercises etc to strengthen the weakest points

,if she needs to come out alot more she will tell you,if they dont need anything at all she will tell you and only charge call out

Anybody that calls themselves a Back person is talking tosh!!

 

[ester]

hmmmmm

years back frank went from being unable to canter on the right rein to being able to do it pretty quick though he did need a couple of sessions and some corrective schooling.

ever since then, I know the signs, if he starts to get a bit more disunited when jumping etc he is not quite right, next step is wrong strike offs, if I leave it. after a visit he will be much better until another 6 months or so when I can feel him getting stiff again. I know what the first signs are now.

The current chiro (yes I like chiros!) does me and him, she is human trained (not mctimoney) and has supp animal training and knows horses. I can just about see what she sees now. She will use a combo of a little 'manipulation' and lots of massage which he thoroughly enjoys. prob about half and hour in total and I do notice the effects for a prolonged period of time.

He does also seem to be better the more flatwork he does and the more supple and strong he becomes.

 

[Flame_]

No, its bollox.

Either the horse is fine and needs nothing doing.... That'll be £XX please.

Or the horse needs loads doing, back man does it, says its fixed.... That'll be £XX please. Next day horse still isn't right, is narkier and is often lame behind. The real problem is now more obvious and you need the vets anyway, so you may as well have got them in the first place!