How often do you get your horses back checked?

Firewell

Firewell

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 May 2008
Messages
7,817
Visit site
Once a year, twice a year, when they feel they need it?

My horses back was done in November and he was fine, had a bit of a sore spot at the end of last summer but that was sorted at the end of sept and then he saw the osteo again in November and he was fine.

Osteo is coming to the yard tomorrow to see another horse and I don't know if to get him to see my horse as well? osteo is hard to get hold of as so busy so part of me thinks that getting him to do a pre-season check on my horse while he is here is a good idea. However my horse feels fab at the moment and a check will cost £70 so not sure if it will just be wasting money.

What do u think?
 
Only if they have a problem / feel really blocked. However this is only because to get the osteopath out in Germany was well over £100 per session (and this was only if she came for more than one horse!). If I had access to a cheaper (but good, of course!) back lady, the way you can in the UK, then I think I would like to do it on a regular basis.
 
If you had the osteo out in November and he was fine, id leave it. They recommend every 6 months, but i feel if your horse isnt showing any symptoms this isnt necessary.

I had the osteo out for one of mine last week and she is coming back in a month because she had a lot of problems, but she has had a troubled past.

Other horses on the yard had her and she said if there is little wrong, she likes to see eveyr 6mths to a yr.
 
£70 eek thats expensive! Mine is £40 a time.

Normally only get them seen if have issue. Currently Fleur does have an ongoing issue which is improving but she was seen perhaps 4 times the latter half of last year and once so far this year and I am pondering another checkup as although seems straight our ridden work would suggest not. Basically if in doubt get checked but if working well and muscles looking correct I would potentially leave it.
 
I live with a back therapist (lucky!!) and she's been doing my horse every 2-3 days for the last 3 months while he comes back from a 3 month break and builds his back muscles up again. Saturday was literally the first day that there was nothing at all for her to do, not even a slight tweak, and he's not generally a horse with 'back problems', just working harder!

With most horses you'd get away with the teeny tiny level of discomfort he's been experiencing, and they'd work through it, but mine likes to 'express' his feelings a little more flamboyantly :rolleyes:
 
Ok thanks.

I don't mind paying this guy the money, he is amazing!! Cheaper then the vet ;)

Think I'll leave it for now. He saw him about 4/5 times last year as my horse came with some minor problems (racer!) but this guy did say just to call him when I feel he needs doing and he feels good at the moment. The horse he is coming to see does have a problem so I'm guessing he will come back to the yard in a few weeks to do the other horse again anyway..

I'm just being precious I think, sure he can wait for another couple of months :), I think 6 monthly will prob be about right from now on.

Thanks! :)
 
Twice a year unless I think there is a problem. Most get saddle/teeth checked about twice a year so don't see why backs should be any different :)
 
Exactly what fairy dust says - I tend to do backs/saddles pre season (just been done) and post season (sept/oct) and would get someone back invetween if was worried for any reason. Teeth I do once a year tho unless reason for concern.
 
Mine is £35 a time. I only had her out once so far, but shes not been in work a year yet. I'll be getting her checked around July again, or before if she shows problems.

When i had horses in my childhood days, there was never anything round us like this.
 
Mine are only done if there's a problem, and their very rarely is. As the poster above says in times gone by none of this was ever heard of, last time I used a physio recommended by someone else on the yard I felt it was a total waste of money they weren't very good at all and my horse got quite annoyed about the whole thing. If your saddle has been fitted by a qualified saddle fitter and you have a decent numnah, and you ride in balance theres not much to go wrong with backs, and if you don't ride every day and work your horse there's not much point. The physio I use now is excellent and she says only ring if there's a problem and she only charges £50, she told me once that most of her callouts are due to unbalanced riding and ill fitting saddles.
 
3-6 months for the horses doing lots of work, in conjunction with Equine Touch and Reiki.

6-12 months for youngsters and older horse.
 
I get Len's done ever 3 months, maybe more if he feels like he needs it. That said, I pay £45 so it's a bit cheaper to do. Honestly, for me it's worth every penny :D

J&C
 
Hairy cob- 2x year
Event horse (had ks op)- Done the other day, will be done again in May probably.
Pointer- Brought in October and has be done 3x so far. Probably will be done in late April/May
 
Never.........seriously have never had "back" man, physio, osteo or anything....not even the lady who swings a crystal over your horse to tell you what is wrong. Wicked I know!!
 
My two showjumpers are done every 6 months unles they need it or have a problem. If a problem is found then they are worked on as often as needed until its sorted. Mine only charges £35 a go although she has just moved to Ireland so i will have to get her to come when she is visiting England unless there is a major problem and she will make a special visit. I also have an equilibrium massage pad that i use regularly, helps keep the muscles supple and toned to help prevent problems :D
 
Mine get checked every 6months, more often if there is a problem, I would like to get him checked more frequently really but at over £100 a pop (with the VAT) it is not possible :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top