In praise of physios?

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MochaDun

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Doing a happy dance as after weeks of waiting for appointment and a slight delay due to flu the physio who does my horse 2x a year came today as my gelding's not been right in neck/back for a few weeks. I knew roughly where the problem was stemming from and amongst other things it transpired his poll was out.

Tonight he's looking happier, more relaxed, jaw not clicking anymore and I can't wait to get riding properly again. Do we all feel the same about physios and think they're worth their weight in gold? I only ask as it's each to their own and I know some of our yard think they're not needed and that horses don't need to have backs, etc, checked regularly. The main comment of the doubters I know is, "Oh course, they're going to find something wrong that's what you're paying them for". My call out was because I knew something was wrong from my horse's movement and behaviour and knew a physio could right it. Just interested in other's thoughts on the value of physio treatment for horses.
 
I love it when its time for one of my mare's check ups. She often has a little work done and I can usually feel an immediate improvement, and I get given me exercises etc to do to build the weaker areas of her body.

Since my girly is LOU due to bone spavin, I believe my physio plays a very important role in keeping her sound and rideable. I was rather disappointed last time when she told me she was in good shape and an annual check should suffice unless something happens, I'd have her done every few months if I could justify it.

She treats people too, must book myself in
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I was sceptical up until a few years ago.My horse had become unwilling to go forwards and just seemed not quite himself.On closer examination my YO felt there was something not quite right in his pelvic region.Seeing as my horse had always loved to roll and it was always number one priority on being turned out in the field and he wasn't rolling at all I agreed to the physio coming out to him.It turned out he had pain in his poll,pain in his pelvis and back muscles.He was immediately alot better after physio and the next day the first thing he did on turnout was roll. I have had physio on my horses since then regardless of whether I suspect a problem as it really seems to be a great mot each year.
 
We have ours checked about twice a year whether there's an actual issue or not. If there's nothing wrong then our McTimoney guy tells us but if there is an issue then he does a thorough good bit of work on them. I have seen horse go from very stiff and miserable (his own fault for crawling under a fence mind!) to a total; change - forward going, loving his jumping again and all in all full of himself so I don't doubt the work they do at all.

It also helps he's rather easy on the eye too. Hmm, must get him booked in for another session..........!
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I had regular (and expensive) physio (/bowen/EMRT) treatments for years. Never did I feel any improvement or difference at all in my horse, if I'm honest. So I stopped!

Now I just check to make sure muscle is going down in the correct places, and that my horse feels totally sound and well.

Having said that, our hunt master does do physio, and if I can be around when she's at the yard I'll have her. She identified soreness behind the saddle area which my saddler had already said would be the case with my old saddle. She's very reasonably priced and doesn't say "his pelvis is out" which is what I find they all trot out!
 
I love my physio! My lovley old mare kept going down and getting cast in her stable. Two vets said it was her arthritis and one wanted to shoot her on the spot. I got a physio out who identified her petula bone was out of alignment and all I needed to do was get her fit (I had been terrified to ride her when I thought it was arthritis). My girl is now happy and fit and is back schooling and light hacking. My physio has givne me excerises to do with her that keep the muscles supple as well. I also have a new vet!
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Hi,
Where is the Petula bone in a horse? I am studying anatomy as part of my on going Equine Body Working Certificates and have not come across it before.
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My horse has regular sports massage and the person I use is brilliant! My horse is a genuine horse and loves jumping but it had got to the point where he just wasnt right. His paces had got really short and he started refusing at jumps. I had the vet, who found nothing, the chiro, who found nothing, and then the sports massage person, who found loads! Well after a couple of treatments my horse was so much better and now he is like a completely different horse. She is great, spends about an hour to an hour and a half with him, and gives me exercises to do with him too. His training has improved, his dressage marks have improved and his jumping has improved too. I now have regular maintenance sessions (every couple of months) because I know that if caught early, any problem will right itself quicker. We don't know what our horses are up to in the field and often when on them too!
To me, it is money well spent. Yes it costs about the same as a lesson but the value is huge.
 
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