horse manipulation under sedation

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I have a 7 year old gelding, who has been recommended horse manipulation under sedation.

We compete at novice and are regularly achieving double clears and are about to attempt our first intermediate. He is 100% sound, but he has very poor feet, applying more pressure to the outside of his feet. Also, he sits very low on his heels, making him sort of 'sit' underneath himself. The vet also said he was not rolling his right hip in the correct way, applying pressure.

We are now using a remedial farrier, to try to correct his feet, but the farrier does not feel this will be enough to put him completely right.

I am undecided and unconvinced he needs this treatment, as he is performing extremely well as he is. I can't seem to find much information on it, or many people who have had this treatment, whether it has worked for them or not. This horse is very valuable to me, so am worried it could get worse, both from the treatment and not having it!

If there is anyone who has had their horse manipulated under sedation, please let me know what you thought of it, and whether it has worked for you.

Very much appreciated
 
I would be very reluctant to go ahead - I have seem some "manipulation" that encompasses some very strange ideas. Under sedation your horse will be less able to resist any movements that are over the top.
I would work with the farrier first to improve his feet before attempting any unproven therapies.
 
Am interested to know whereabouts in the country you are and which vet you are using. PM me if you like. Had this done to an old horse of mine by a vet but not sure it actually did any good.
 
Just to say that years ago- i had my horse manipulated under sedation by a vet (who er i didn't use for very long shall we say!)- he carried out his own "physio" under sedation, this was when my horse was having foot probs too- all i can say is i'd never have it done again, mind you i think he had over done the sedation and my poor horse was literally trying to walk up the walls of his box, and the Vet obv couldn't see what sort of response he was getting- it was awful to see -I think i was quite young at the time and if the same said vet said he wanted to do the same now, i think i'd have told him to get lost!!

He didn't feel the same afterwards as well, and nowadays i just use my proper physio if i feel theres a problem.

I know what you mean though with hip probs and bad feet- my same horse is v sensitive in his feet and i believe the 2 are linked- my boy had a foot imbalance again through no fault of his own and it gave him tightness in his hip and sacroiliac and hocks all because of his feet- he did come right in the end though, and he had a couple of treatments (not under sedation) with my normal physio, plus good shoeing and with time he strengthened up and got better. My vet gave me a useful exercise as well which is good for horses with hip/sacroiliac probs which is simple- just to back them up every day either in hand when they come out of their box and also when ridden- it really helps!

I always think in a situation like you are going through no one knows your horse as well as you do, so if you are not sure about something go with what you feel!

Good luck!
 
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Here is a photo of my horse being done under sedation by Anna Johnson and his then vet:

http://freelanceinstructorsdiary.blogspot.com/2009/12/vet-physio-post-injections-re.html

For him it was relieve muscle spasms, help with the rehab of the SI issues and help with the poll misalignment. However, he has also had front limb lameness and variety of other crookedness problems.
It helped in respect of suppleness and his general way of going. We had it done twice and both times he was much more supple afterwards.
I have no idea whether it makes sense in your case but good luck!
 
I am all for physio and chiro to be done on horses BUT I don't think I would in your situation

I am not talking about horses that are having problems but in your case your horse is going really well without issues

my reasoning is that same as people, horses are not always perfect at birth BUT they learn to go in what way is best for them and altering it may not be the best thing. ie they say his not rolling his hip correctly, what happens if all the muscles etc have developed from birth to allow for this??


I would most likely get a 2nd opinion from a reputable chiro though
 
who would be performing the manipulation?? vet or physio??

My horse was sedated for a physio session on her rump as her muscles were so tight and sore (coming from hock pain). She would never have got a "good" treatment without as was still a little reactive with sedation. 2 months later the tension hadn't returned and she was treated without sedation and enjoyed it. not sure if the muscles would have (ever?) been released in one session without sedation. I think if treatment is required and there is soreness that prevents a proper session then, yes, sedate. If the horse isn't reactive without sedation, i don't think I would? not sure....
 
thanks so much for all the posts, have been a great help!!

he has phisio at the moment, which he really responds to and enjoys, the phisio herself is not convinced by the procedure.

Therefore, having spoken to another vet, we feel that as he is going so well we shall not try to fix anything that isn't broken.

thank you so much for the replies, have been very helpful!
 
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