How often do you get backs checked?

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yorkshirepud

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Hi. I'm new to this forum but would appreciate a bit of advice. I've a 12yo TB who I've done bits and bobs at the local riding club with but never anything too serious. Had a few problems with canter last year. Had his teeth done and they're fine now, and also had his back checked - he was stiff behind and saddle wasn't fitting properly. So I got a new saddle and continued his back treatment at least once a month for six months through last summer/autumn. Personally I felt the saddle was the problem and the new one solved it, but I was told by the back person it would take a lot of regular treatment to get him right and repair old damage.

I continued it for six months and he was going well; wasn't really seeing any further benefit, so I stopped the treatment and decided to just keep an eye on things and restart if I thought he was struggling.

I was told this was the worst thing I could do by the back person I was using, but friends told me I was being taken for a ride (excuse the pun!). It was costing me a fortune too!!

Anyway, he's going great but I still get regular calls from the back person to say I must restart regular treatment (prob every 4-6 weeks would do) cos he'll be changing shape because of the weather and less regular exercise, so we'll be back to square one. Also been told if I don't keep up back treatment he'll change shape more and will need saddle refitting - all costing me an even bigger fortune in the long run.

In my opinion if he's going well and I'm only doing gentle hacking he's ok. Surely I'll pick up on any change and know when I start doing anything more strenuous to keep an eye on saddle, shape and schooling behaviour.

How often do you all get backs checked, and does it sound like this is all a little unnecessary??

Thanks!
 
The old boy gets down every six month, he has a lot of stiffness in his back due to his arthritis, the ridden boy gets checked once a year unless there are any problems. Maybe get a second opinion, or find a back lady that's recommended. Sorry not much help, :( x
 
I use a registered physio, even with one or two that have had fairly serious issues they have never needed treating more than three times, first treatment then careful work for about 10 days she then comes back to make sure that they have responded to treatment and make a few adjustments if required, I have rarely needed a third visit but get mine checked every six months or if I feel concerned about something.
Treatment every month sounds like a con to me, my physio is far too busy to be chasing clients in this way.
 
Sounds like a rip off merchant tbh. I've never gone in for 'back checks'. The only time I would is if I suspected a problem, or to be certain a horse was uninjured if it had a fall. And even then, it would be a physio on recommendation of a vet. Tell 'back person' to jog on, if you have any suspicion there's a problem speak to your vet about a registered physio.
 
I like to do once a year unless I think there is a problem or they need it more frequently.

Sounds like you are being taken for a ride!! As a professionaly, they shouldn't be contacting you like that - its your horse to choose whether you have them checked or not.

Where abouts are you based? I know a fab back lady who I would recommend to anyone.
 
Thanks guys and apologies for the long post - congratulations for making it to the end, I didn't realise I went on forever!!!

You confirmed my suspicions, but when she rings she tells me it's only fair to my boy to get him done, so was beginning to doubt how well I was looking after him. He looks well and rides well, so as far as I'm concerned he is well.

She was recommended and has a good reputation but I know she does a lot in racing yards, etc. I'll stick to my instincts next time and call when I think I need her.

Think I'm just a pushover, so I'll be firm next time she calls!

Thanks again - pleased I joined the forum!
 
Ps. muckypony im in Yorkshire.

IMO if she was good she'd be busy and wouldn't have time to make 'courtesy' calls to "make sure clients booked well in advance so as not to be disappointed when they needed her"

Thanks again.
 
Molly sees the chiro routinely every 6 months and only usually needs 1 treatment each time.

The only exception was after her injury, she had treatment to get her back into work and will have another soon - but she had a lot of time off from a splint fracture and I'm being extra careful as I have also had an injury and we're both on the wonky side!!
 
Remember that soft tissue injuries get better over time with rest anyway....so be wary of people pressuring you or recommending you to have treatment after treatment (and I'm a 'back person')
 
Every 6 months for me as well, though full body treatment, not just back. It's a great way of keeping track of how my horses are progressing physically & picks up any little niggles I may not have noticed. Sounds like you're being ripped off though, tbh.
 
proffesionals will get backs check ever 4 to 6 weeks! but then they are going over enormous jumps and doing some amazing gymnastics ;)

if she does racehorses i expect shes just working to what she normally does. but low level comps ect, 6 months to a year is fine!
 
Thanks all and sorry for the non-technical explanation - she's a physio but known locally and at riding club as the back lady! She actually treats whole body. I did see benefit to start but was same time as I got new saddle so not sure which made the most difference.

He's going fine, so just happy now I'm not the only one that hasn't been bothered with saddle fitters and physios in the past - have had horses all my life and never used them before. Will get him checked over in spring when I start doing a bit more and then it'll be six months since last time.

I appreciate your replies - all very helpful!
 
My older horse had quite a sensitive back, and he'd had problems over the years i'd had him, I got him done every 6 months in the end. Even when I'd just got him back off loan and I had a new physio (very well known) and she thought he had kissing spine (was severe bruising caused by ill fitting saddle) she came out a fortnight after initial visit, then 3 months later, then every 6 months. She cost a fortune though so now I do what others on my yard do and get a massage therapist out, she works from head to toe, spends about 2 hours with them, and costs a fraction of the amount and they love it. If she finds anything that she cant sort out she'll recommend we get the physio.

Most horses I know in regular work, schooling, RC stuff etc get done every 6 months or annually. Unless you know your horse has a history of back issues I'd get it seen to every 12 months. I do however have my saddle check every 6 months.
 
Which bit of Yorkshire? Someone on here may be able to recommend less of a cowboy

If she is needing to come out that often, she should have referred you back to your vet to see where the issue is actually stemming from?
 
My current horse is seen by a McTimoney person every 6 months, sooner if needed. He also checks my saddle each visit.
My previous horse had more problems and was seen more regularly, sometimes emergency appointments but I have always been given the work required to get the horse fit, not the professional coming out for repeated treatments. I'm in Yorkshire too!
 
Our horses at work get checked 3 times a year which is great as they are all in hard work and they love the physio coming to give them a 'tickle' :o
 
Did frequently when racing - especially if I thought they were not jumping well, or had fallen etc. Now they are happy hackers - only when I intuitively feel that there is a problem. My back lady was V good, and I always felt a difference when she had been - but possibly because she gave the horses a really nice massage, that they enjoyed, rather than 're- aligning their pelvis' which is what she often told me was wrong (and she was a wee slip of a thing, and the horses big!)
 
yorkshirepud said:
Hi. I'm new to this forum but would appreciate a bit of advice. I've a 12yo TB who I've done bits and bobs at the local riding club with but never anything too serious. Had a few problems with canter last year. Had his teeth done and they're fine now, and also had his back checked - he was stiff behind and saddle wasn't fitting properly. So I got a new saddle and continued his back treatment at least once a month for six months through last summer/autumn. Personally I felt the saddle was the problem and the new one solved it, but I was told by the back person it would take a lot of regular treatment to get him right and repair old damage.

I continued it for six months and he was going well; wasn't really seeing any further benefit, so I stopped the treatment and decided to just keep an eye on things and restart if I thought he was struggling.

I was told this was the worst thing I could do by the back person I was using, but friends told me I was being taken for a ride (excuse the pun!). It was costing me a fortune too!!

Anyway, he's going great but I still get regular calls from the back person to say I must restart regular treatment (prob every 4-6 weeks would do) cos he'll be changing shape because of the weather and less regular exercise, so we'll be back to square one. Also been told if I don't keep up back treatment he'll change shape more and will need saddle refitting - all costing me an even bigger fortune in the long run.

In my opinion if he's going well and I'm only doing gentle hacking he's ok. Surely I'll pick up on any change and know when I start doing anything more strenuous to keep an eye on saddle, shape and schooling behaviour.

How often do you all get backs checked, and does it sound like this is all a little unnecessary??

Thanks!
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I have horse's back check about once a year as he doesn't do a lot of very strenuous work. Obviously, if he needs it between times I call the back person.

On the basis of your account, I'd be inclined to agree with your friends that back prson is trying it on. If she rings again tell her you've made other arrangements (even if it isn't true!)
 
I do every 3 months. But checks all muscles.

Only because I have a horse who had serious neck muscular trauma and it gets tight again without very regular treatment and asmthat was what caused a very serious rearing problem I don't even want to go there. And then as she's there anyway she checks my eventer to see if he needs doing, and shemonly treats him if he needs work.

Would probably do it every 6 months if it wasn't for the rearer.
Mind you, it's not a rip off in my case, I have personally seen the effects of not treating her regularly. Last year she wasn't in work for 8 months so I left it, and she gradually got grumpier and bargier to handle...got hermchecked, found she was getting quite tight, was treated and voila much better right away.
 
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