How often do you have your Horses back checked?

katiieking said:
Mine does this! :D

He comes out and does my sister, me and my dad, and then checks the horses, if somethings wrong he fixes it! And he's never more than £30 for the horse, he might come out and say nothing wrong so no charge, but we give him £20 anyway for his petrol money!

I love mine to be honest, he's reliable, doesn't rip the arm out of you in terms of money and he loves it when you text to keep him updated on the horses progress!
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Sounds very unusual and a nice guy
 
Good to hear from some down to earth posters. I'm completely on board with 'because my horse enjoys it' or when the back lady is part of the team for getting the best out of a competition horse.

But for the average happy hacker (including me), I'm still convinced the horse would want the rider to spend the money on more riding lessons! I can't really understand the earlier poster who was 'disgusted' with owners who don't subscribe. You're not a bad owner if you don't 'get their back done'.

That's not to say that equine massage is a bad thing - my ponies fall asleep when I groom them with my fingers too. It's relaxing for both of us, and it's free!
 
I could ride my horse through her napping when i first got her and she would work for me but she was tense and uncomfortable it was the same result with my instructor who had years of experience over me. Of course first port of call was vet and dentist as the saddler had all ready seen her when I bought my saddle. Both vet and dentist recommended the physio I use. She communicates with my vet and when she comes she leaves me with a programme of work for dizzy to help and she shows me the massage techniques she uses so I can help my horse. The last time she came I didn't tell her that dizzy had been lame or about the problems with her feet. My physios first comment was dizzys back in much much better shape and she was really happy with it but she was picking up tension that was caused through pain in her feet and legs and she asked me if she had been lame and had I noticed anything different and then I told her about the X-rays. That's enough proof for me that this lady knows what she is doing and it dramatically improves how dizzy works plus my horse loves it.
 
I do agree though as with any trade there are charlatans :) and I can imagine that people who do not know what their doing and call themselves equine physios can actually do more damage than good
 
I have mine seen by the physio every 6 months or more frequently if she recommends it or if I notice any change in behaviour. I must say I do get a bit confused as to whether it is physio, or chiro, or both that is required. As I am not a lightweight and not a great rider I do like to make sure my horses are comfortable and I know that they will often put up with an awful lot of discomfort without letting me know about it.
 
The lady I used came highly recomended on my local Horse riders FB page. But my friend has her anyway so shared her appointment. I was unsure as to wether she would try to say something was wrong when there isn't to get more money from me. But she didn't, she said I would have to have her out for another 6 months to a year as Rubys back was great.
 
Back people (whatever their description) are only supposed to 'treat' your horse with your vets approval.

I do use a horse chiropracter (who first qualified as a human chiro - which I think they all have to) if I feel there is a problem with one of my horses with any necessary follow up visit as recommended by her in conjunction with my vet.
 
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