insist on xrays or just carry on slowly??

Ani

Ani

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If your vet said your nervy sensitive little flower of a 17hh IDxTB young horse which you had just started sitting on ( but had been wearing a saddle since December) hasn't got a sore back, but your massage therapist said he has, and the horses behaviour has not improved on 8 days of bute and you are still having girthing problems (only started a month ago), would you insist on xrays or just carry on slowly?
 
Xrays will not necessarily show anything so may not be the most cost effective diagnostic tool- I would however get a second opinion from a more lateral thinking vet who is happy to listen to your concerns and look at finding the problem
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what about a chiro check. I have mine checked yearly. Once your vet knows your horse is insured they recommend all sorts of expensive investigations.
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I 2nd what Kayfm says!! I use a McTimoney-Corley trained sports masseuse for the horse, she gives them a massage then manipulates their backs; they LOVE it and its really good for them! May also be worth checking for gastric ulcers and things with your boy though as aversion to saddle isn't always back related
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Can you get a themorgraphy image done? the cost up here for a full body scan is £65. this would show up heat spots on your horse and will show your physio etc where they need to concentrate their efforts and save on the cost of x rays.
 
Thanks all. My vet is very practical and i trust both him and the qualified equine massage therapist (which makes it difficult when they don't agree). i have known both for 10 yrs. both know i do not insure my horses so would not try and get more out of me than is necassary, but both also i want the best by the horse. both have said not to use chiro or oesteopath, as my horse is really nervous of people due to bad experience prior to me owning him and would be scared of any sharp movements, this nervousness is why it is so difficult to decide whether the reaction is due to pain or bad memories
 
the thermography camera is non invasive and the person stands a slight distance away from the horse, I'm sure if you explained about the nervousness they would move slowly and steadily so as not to alarm your horse.
 
Maybe your horse is just nervous. I have had yound nervous horses before and know what it can be like. try the humane girth that lets you secure one strap then ease up the second gradually. Could he be cold backed ! any way good luck, hope all goes well.
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A lot of people don't realise that girthing problems are often related to sore backs, due to the muscles running down from the back around the girth area. I would defo get out a McTimoney and if youre in the Midlands can recommend an excellent one I have used for many years.
 
Thanks Taylored, the thermography sounds interesting. Kayfm i do think due to a previous bad experience alot of it is him being nervy, but i cannot continue until i feel sure there is no pain, or i may just make the situation worse. i am going to have a chat with my vet today. Ali M & Applecart, thanks but i feel my massage chap is doing as much good as a Mc Timony would, as he is very thorough and very experienced, he is a proper sport massage therapist (the same as a human sports massage therapist) and doesn't just do a feel good massage. I have used mctimony in the past and not really seen the results as i have from this chap. Thanks all
 
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