How Often do you have your horse's back checked?

Stella

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I've arranged for the Physio to come out and check my mare's back tomorrow. She is going well, but has been doing more work and developing more muscle over recent months and I thought I should just have her checked over. She was last seen 8 months ago and its never previously got to the point when I could just decide on a routine check as she has seemed, and been, sore in the past.

Am I just being fussy and extravogant or do others have there horses checked without necassarily a sign of a problem?
 

Kate_13

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Our back lady comes out every 3 months or so. So I have him checked when she is there. Last time he didn't need anything doing, so it was peace of mind. My horse is young, filling out, getting fitter and doing more work, so it is worthwhile seeing if he is ok when she is there.
 

StrawberryFish

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I had mine done roughly the same time as teeth (just coicidence that dentist and back lady came out within a few days of each other) but 6 - 9 months worked for me.
 

tigers_eye

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Deco I had to have done 2 or 3 times in a competition season to keep her right, and I think William may be that type too, he usually has the same thing wrong with him every time she sees him. I prefer chiro's over physios, but each have their uses. I think it is much better to have them a month or two before a niggle becomes an issue and compromises performance.
 

pottamus

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I have never had a back person out to any of my horses and have had my boy for 4 years with no problems. I am afraid I am of the belief that if he is going well, happy in himself and can buck and twist the way he does in the field then there is not much wrong with his back! He is a strong character I have no doubt I would know if there was a problem!
 

moneypit1

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I have had Blues back ckecked every 12 weeks purely because he has only been backed for 7 months and has changed shape sooooo much. All ok though apart from a few minor 'tweeks'.
 

SecretSquirrell379

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Every 4-6 months is the plan, but my girl was so tight on her poll last time that she is coming again after 3 months to see how we are getting on with her new bit
 

alfirules

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[ QUOTE ]
I have never had a back person out to any of my horses and have had my boy for 4 years with no problems. I am afraid I am of the belief that if he is going well, happy in himself and can buck and twist the way he does in the field then there is not much wrong with his back! He is a strong character I have no doubt I would know if there was a problem!

[/ QUOTE ]

thats the same for me, pony doesnt show any pain when i ride him, never bucks when under saddle, i feel if its not broken, dont fix it!!
 

4whitesocks

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The back guy was on the yard today so I had him check Sid out - just wanted to make sure after our fall on Monday that he hadn't tweaked anything as he was a bit of a loon to ride on Tuesday....

as a rule would probably have him done once every 6 - 9 months
 

Rambo

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In 32 years of riding.....NEVER
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If my horse(s) displayed signs of back problems, i would give them a break, and if that didn't sort the problem then vet and finally back man....never come to that yet though
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siennamum

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Sienna has a condition which periodically needs treatment - folowing a fall a few years ago. McTimony Chiro - takes 10 minutes.
Would have vet in advance if I thought there was a problem, wouldn't entertain anyone without veterinary qualifications treating my horses otherwise. (Not ever had a back problem with a horse apart from that and owned 50 odd of them - apart from one mare who had EPSM which was wongly diagnosed & treated by an osteopath)
Have had a Sports Massage from physio for Sienna as a Xmas pressy, a few years ago, prior to her holiday, but wouldn't call that treatment, and it was completely non essential.
Back people make a bloody fortune from the uninformed........
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vieshot

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Ive never had a back person out. Only once has my gelding displayed any signs of discomfort and i gave him a few months off, after that he was completely fine and hes had no problems since. Id only get a back person out, if after time off the horse was still displaying pain.
 

BBs

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Twice sometime 3 times a year depending.
Bally my grey mare always had a check but was NEVER a problem,but i always got her checked before and after a seaon eventing.

Bertie had regular treatments as did my other ex racer.

Winston has 2 or 3 as hes quite weak behind the back of the saddle - hes quite a big horse and rolls and gets stuck in his box which usually means hes done something - hes feeling a little tight atm so hes beign looked at on monday along with snoop.
 
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