equine massage - does it work?

[jenbleep]

good morning peeps, this might be quite long so bear with me.....

i had my lesson with Frankie last night...all went well not many problems instructor is happy with me. now she did mention a few weeks ago that he looked a little 'off'

behind, not lame or in pain just a bit stiff. she told his owner and she said she would get the physio woman out. she still hasn't come out to see him

anyway my instructor mentioned it again last night, he is not quite right behind and doesn't really swing through his back, he finds it quite difficult. these were her words (well kinda) 'he doesn't reach through with one of his back legs (cant remember which) but the other back legs does' does that make sense? i cant quite seem to write today!

anyway i mentioed massage, and would that help? she said yes, and the physio woman should come out.

so what are your opinions on equine massage? have you used it? good/bad experiences?

also, how can i mention it ( again ) to Frankie's owner, without making it look like im nagging? or should i just leave it altogether, it's her horse at the end of the day?

*my instructor says we can only work with what we've got!*

thanks and sorry it so long

 

[bellaM]

What is your arrangement with the horses owner? I have worked with a lot of horses that gave gone through physio and chiropractic work, it really does work and I believe most horses need it at some point in their lives. Personally I have reeally seen it transform horses and riders lives. You must remember that when a horse is moving oddly not behaving its normal self, lame it is because it is uncomfortable and they cannot tell you this.
Personally my horse have gone from head shaking violently to being working in a consistant outline, with no sign of it.
You need to make sure that who you have is qualified or when it comes to physios 'chartered'.
Be quite clear with the owners that the horse is in discomfort.

 

[jenbleep]

basically i ride him 4 or 5 times a week, dont have to pay anything and i dont get paid. she said she wouldn't be without me because she cant ride him herself, and he needs to be ridden otherwise he'll turn in to a nut!

i totally agree with the physio thing, it has been mentioned to his owner and she did say she would get her out. but its been about a month now and i want to mention it again because i don't like him like this, i don't like him to be in pain or sore. i can understand if it is expensive but really, its his back and hips - they're worth a lot more!

 

[bellaM]

Tell them what your instructor said, I don't think it is that expensive unless you need some follow up visits.
They value you so do say it is getting to the point that you can't ride him because of the pain

 

[sillygillyhorse]

Regular equine massage sessions have completely transformed one of my horses. He gradually became worse and was quite "snarly" when asked to work. I realised he was not right and contacted someone to look at him. It took several sessions to straighten him out and it has been trial and error with his work load as to how often he needs a massge session with the physio. He now has a session every 4 weeks and the practioner has shown me how to do some work on him in between sessions to keep him right.

I highly recommend it.

 

[zigzag]

Yes it works! Can you not offer to pay for the physio yourself?

 

[jenbleep]

i could do....i have no money bit it would be worth it!

*i dont know whats happened to me, id rather buy things for him then me these days!*

i just dont want her thinking that im not grateful to her for letting me ride him for free......or thinking that she isn't looking after him properly!

mmm maybe ill hint to her this afternoon.....