Backs

[peanut]

I'm interested to know whether people have a physio or a chiropractor for their horse's back.

I've had both out to mine over the last year (purely routine) but it seems that a lot of people tend to favour one over the other for their horse - one friend has never had a chiro to her horse, only a physio.

I've always thought that the chiro was more for bones/structure and the physio for muscles and I therefore employ them both but maybe this is unnecessary. I'd be interested to hear your views.

 

[AmyMay]

I find this all a bit of a minefield if I'm honest. And I wouldn't know who to get for the best. My horse used to have McTimothy - but who knows if it did any good? I certainly didn't.

 

[peanut]

I find this all a bit of a minefield if I'm honest. And I wouldn't know who to get for the best. QUOTE]

Absolutely! I really want to make sure I'm getting it right without forking out unnecessarily as my horse never has much wrong with her when these people come!

 

[teddyt]

I dont use either on a routine basis but if i needed one it would definately be a veterinary physiotherapist, which is who i have used in the past. Too many chiros talk of putting bones back in to place, which is a load of b*ll*cks! If a vertebrae/the poll/the pelvis was out of place then it would be dislocated. My physio looks at the whole horse and gives you exercises to do after her visit. After all physiotherapy is not something you get, it is something you do.

 

[chestnut cob]

I dont use either on a routine basis but if i needed one it would definately be a veterinary physiotherapist, which is who i have used in the past. Too many chiros talk of putting bones back in to place, which is a load of b*ll*cks! If a vertebrae/the poll/the pelvis was out of place then it would be dislocated. My physio looks at the whole horse and gives you exercises to do after her visit. After all physiotherapy is not something you get, it is something you do.

Coudn't have put it better myself!!

Ask your vet to recommend someone - whoever comes out to you should ask your vet's permission anyway and it always helps if your physio and vet are communicating.

My horse had a series of physio and osteo treatments after having his hock spavins treated - vet recommended an osteopath to use and he knows (and is in regular communication with) the physio I prefer. I know he only recommends either a qualified Veterinary Physiotherapist or that particular osteo.

 

[beer101]

My horse has regular McTimmoney deep tissue massage and manipulation every 3 months.
All I know is, he really enjoys it and walks out 'like a cat' afterwards.

I think it's really helping him, he's an ex racehorse currently being re schooled.Whist his shape is changing, and he's being asked to use a completely different set of muscles,this 3 monthly teatment helps keep his muscles and frame supple and aligned.

Surely if all the muscles are soft and bouncy, and all the joints are working correctly then it's got to be a good thing.