How often do you get your horse's back checked?

Tiffany

Tiffany

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Just curious if you have you horse's back checked on a regular basis (say every 6-12 months) or just when you think there's a problem?

Also, who do you have - Physio, McTimoney, Bowen, vet or other?


Coffee and kit kat for everyone
 
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Only if there's a problem, and only ever had a back person out once. I wasn't too impressed so got the vet out instead, who found the REAL problem and sorted it for me.

There went almost £50 for a load of cobblers!
 
Tiffany said:
Dragonslayer - when you say back person what were they exactly?
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I THINK she was a physio, but it's years and years ago! Can't remember....I stick with the vet now if I need anything doing, well, saddlers and dentist for those jobs....but with regards to anything else, I'll just stick with the one professional!

I've seen good things though on other horses, and there are many good professionals out there, things have changed for the better over the years.

:D
 
Tiffany said:
I've nearly always used a physio although wondering whether to try McTimoney next time?
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I use a mctimoney and find my horses are really responsive to their treatment. Much gentler than the osteo/chiro. I get them done once a year if no problems, although I have an equissage which I use every other day on my arthritic.
 
My horses are checked approx every 6-9 months as a routine however sooner if I feel there is something not quite right with them. She is marvelous, I first met her after I was referred to jer by my vet. :)
 
I used to have my geldings "quirky" back checked every year but changed to another local back lady as my original back lady moved away. Anyway my new one has changed the diagnosis of an old injury and has worked wonders with him. As he is slightly getting on now at 16 and has these quirky little back issues, I have it done every 3/4 months, and he is better for it.
 
Yes, i am very wary of "back people" and my bf is well and truely dismissive about it, as "wishy washy tosh", after seeing a few practice, i was not impressed but ive come across a fantastic mc timoney & therapist, who is excellently qualified and is marvelous with my difficult mare!
She has quite a difficult back, and extremely difficult temperment, and would not cope with the more agressive slap bang wollop you can get with some "therapists".
Shes gone from trotting along straight legged and jumping sideways, to competing elementary dressage :D
So yes, i would without a doubt keep getting my wonderful animal therapist as often as i can afford (approx 6-9months).
:)
Also my very cynical bf think shes done marvelous work and keeps telling people to use her!! :)
 
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We have a McTimoney guy once or twice a year (generally beginning and end of year). My horse has a tendency to tweak his back mainly by doing stupid things like crawling under fencing (he's 16hh so it's a bit of a daft idea really but, hey if he can get his head under.........!). I can usually tell if he's not right as he just actually seems a bit miserable and lethargic and although not lame I feel his movement isn't right. I am at that stage at the moment to be honest.

The vet we use will actually refer people to the back guy we use anyway and I think he may even have his own horses treated by him so I know the vet supports what he does. i have certainly noticed big differences when he has been treated although actually last time we had him out for a routine check he said they were actually no problems so didn't need to do anything.
 
I have back lady, that's what I know her as lol every 6 months: shell usually say if needs to see before that or if a little longer between visits if nothing picked up c
 
We have ours out quarterly (or earlier should there be an issue). There is always a little niggle that wants easing before it has the chance to become an issue. Our lady does Mc Tim and Bowen.

I must admit that I am an awful cynic and I wouldn't have normally gone for this sort of thing, but the difference in both our horses after she has seen them is amazing!! Over the last year or so they have both had alot of changes (feet probs, going barefoot, increased work load, changing disaplines and going up the levels) so niggles have shown themselves that might not had we just been established competing at the one sport.

I think it doesn't come down to how your back person has trained, but is very dependent on actually how good they are! We have had others out who have done their job, but our current lady really is simply excellent, so we stick with her!!
 
All mine are looked at every 6 mths - unless I know they have done something or feel odd. I use a great McTim person, same one for about 6 years - does a fab job. I also have my back done every 6 mths too.

Prevention is better than cure, and in the grand scheme of things it keeps costs down :)
 
I've never had a back person to any of my horses. Don't really see the point if horse is fit and well and if he wasn't I'd get a vet first to make sure it really was a back problem. Am I the only one? I know at the yard I'm at most of the horses seem to have regular check ups and always seem to have something wrong according the various 'specialists' they use.
 
burtie said:
I've never had a back person to any of my horses. Don't really see the point if horse is fit and well and if he wasn't I'd get a vet first to make sure it really was a back problem. Am I the only one? I know at the yard I'm at most of the horses seem to have regular check ups and always seem to have something wrong according the various 'specialists' they use.
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Your not alone! I have yet to hear of a 'backman' not finding a problem.
 
Only if there is a problem. I used to have Nadia checked yearly until I moved and the fella I used couldn't come to the new area and no-one could recommend anyone good to me and I'd only ever go by recommendation for something like that.
 
I get Kal seen pretty regularly. He is pretty wonky and stiff and tight and while we can work some of that out with correct schooling, he does need physio. He was last seen last Tuesday by a reputable physio who also uses electrotherapy and will be seen again in 5 weeks.

Oh, and it's not just his back we check out - he gets a full look over . . . right down to his feet . . . and his physio and farrier know each other and work together (he has awful, horrible, upright feet and a slight club).

P
 
I Use Mctimoney and have my horses back checked at least every 6 months along with their tack and teeth

My mare has had a lot of trouble with her back so this keeps her "right" and monitored and while she is there she also checks my youngster :)
 
littlemisslauren said:
Your not alone! I have yet to hear of a 'backman' not finding a problem.
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Well, as I mentioned in my post, the guy who comes to see our horses will tell you if he feels there are no problems so you don't then pay for a treatment. He has done this a couple of times. He is a horse rider himself (events) and has very good relationships with the vets and other practicioners in the area (dentists etc) and often works in conjunction with them to resolve a particular problem. I am sure there are some 'experts' out there who do treat a horse regardless whether there is a problem but certainly that has not been my experience.

They certainly do make a difference the same as they do if they treat your back - I don't see why it's any different for a horse/dog. This same guy has actually treated our GSD x who had been lame in front for a period of time (intermittently for months) and vets could not find the reason for it even after x-rays, treating with anti-inflammatories etc. We took her to the McTimoney guy who diagnosed her with a problem in her sacroilliac area which as a result had caused stiffness across her back and neck and was presenting as a forelimb lameness. She had one treatment with him and has not been lame since.
 
ladyt25 said:
Well, as I mentioned in my post, the guy who comes to see our horses will tell you if he feels there are no problems so you don't then pay for a treatment. He has done this a couple of times. He is a horse rider himself (events) and has very good relationships with the vets and other practicioners in the area (dentists etc) and often works in conjunction with them to resolve a particular problem. I am sure there are some 'experts' out there who do treat a horse regardless whether there is a problem but certainly that has not been my experience.

They certainly do make a difference the same as they do if they treat your back - I don't see why it's any different for a horse/dog. This same guy has actually treated our GSD x who had been lame in front for a period of time (intermittently for months) and vets could not find the reason for it even after x-rays, treating with anti-inflammatories etc. We took her to the McTimoney guy who diagnosed her with a problem in her sacroilliac area which as a result had caused stiffness across her back and neck and was presenting as a forelimb lameness. She had one treatment with him and has not been lame since.
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If you have found a good team that works for you and your animals then that is brilliant. I guess I have just met some not so genuine individuals that claim everything's 'pelvis is out'. I do, however, highly rate the physio my friend uses.
 
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