'Horse whisperers' - are they ethical?

[dapple_grey]

ETA: I am not against complementary treatments as long as they are used judiciously and as that: "a complement" to proper veterinary medicine.

Exactly this.

 

[JGC]

This really resonates with me as I get very frustrated by people at my own yard, too. It's the sort of place where a lame horse will see the chrio/animal communicator/physio but the vet is too expensive!

There is a particular physio who frequents the yard and treats unsound horses, giving her own medical diagnosis which has proven to be way-off the actual problem. E.g. she thought one horse had problems with it's hip, when a vet looked it was actually suspensory/SI problems. She keeps taking the horse owners' money when she should be telling them to get a vet...

Yes, exactly the same experience for me in the last few weeks - I stupidly, stupidly (I never do this and am kicking myself) had the osteo look at my horse as she came up lame, but to me it looked really like her sacroiliac and back - all I can say in my defence is that she has a known back issue and there'd been a massive unexpected thunderstorm (so I hadn't been able to rug her) which is one of the things that can set her off. Of course, it turned out to be a suspensory. I'm so mad at myself, but also very mad at the osteo, who didn't even suggest that her treatment might not work and in which case a vet should be called - there are plenty of owners who would take the osteo's word, as a professional for whose services they're paying, as gospel.

 

[eahotson]

Yes, exactly the same experience for me in the last few weeks - I stupidly, stupidly (I never do this and am kicking myself) had the osteo look at my horse as she came up lame, but to me it looked really like her sacroiliac and back - all I can say in my defence is that she has a known back issue and there'd been a massive unexpected thunderstorm (so I hadn't been able to rug her) which is one of the things that can set her off. Of course, it turned out to be a suspensory. I'm so mad at myself, but also very mad at the osteo, who didn't even suggest that her treatment might not work and in which case a vet should be called - there are plenty of owners who would take the osteo's word, as a professional for whose services they're paying, as gospel.

I have to say I have a very good physio and she is quick to say Vet when she thinks it is necessary.