Just how far will you go to improve well-being and performance?

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Worried1

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Just wondered what other people try with their horses.

I do the usual things such as regular saddle checks, teeth, physio, remedial shoeing where necessary and supplements.

We also use the Armidillo magnets on Diva (Tight in back) and Hils (older horse) daily.

I also do carrot stretches with all of them as and when they need them.

Now decided that I would like to explore massage and other stretching exercises. So am on the hunt for a good book or DVD to help me and my guinea pigs (Diva, Hils, Blitz and Danny) to explore whether there are any benefits to massage and stretching techniques. Can anyone recommend any for me to buy?
 
Can't recommend any books/dvd's or anything, but I have all regular checks, etc. I know when my horse has something wrong with his back, as he's not the type to suffer in silence lol! I have a lady who comes out to do sports massage who is very good, so they get a once over about every 6 months.

I do carrot stretches most days and will do my utmost to ensure they are both happy/healthy. My TB recently started to look a bit miserable/drop weight, so she's having front shoes on (the ground is quite stoney), more food, vit supplement, back check, move fields to be in with other horse (will see how it goes!), thicker rug - I'd do anything within my power to make sure they are happy, as being their owner, it's my responsibility.
 
As above, plus i've got a magnetic rug, and am planning on installing a solarium soon. i'd love a HHP rug too, but can't afford it at the moment.
i've been shown how to do massage etc, but tbh i just haven't got the feel for where it's needed, even though i've tried really hard! i've got the TTouch book, which is very good, but i think i'm very bad at it.
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yes, there are definite benefits, my friend who's a qualified Equine Sports Massage Therapist used to do my horses, and i could feel the difference. Also, my best mare was really antsy and hated having anyone in her stable, but loved having a massage, and she really would have made it clear if it didn't feel good!
tbh i'd get a qualified person out to massage, and ask for some tips/watch carefully, make notes! they'll feel which bits need specific targeting etc, and tell you how and why.
 
In Otto's owners own words "I dont wrap him up in cotton wool"
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Now he's competing he is on Baileys outshine, cortaflex, has back checked every 3 months and magnetic boots are on the way. Basically anything that may help his perforamce he gets.

I also going to learn massage techniques as it cant really do any harm and anything I can do to make his job easier i will do
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Mine has NB shoes on his front feet to correct a long toe, low heel conformational issue (or should i say, to help it)

He has magnetic leg wraps and a magnetic rug. The leg wraps he has on most nights, the rug usually just at weekends for a couple of hours or during the week if i have some tack cleaning to do.

Hes under the solarium most days as imo, hes been much faster to warm up since using it and he seems to be considerably free'er through his back.

He has a chiropractor check him every 12 weeks and i use a wow saddle which is frequently tweaked to fit him. The flair has made an incredible difference to jacks topline and his movement has improved also (although thats more the saddle mechanics than the flair).

Im also going to invest in an equissage machine. i dont believe all the hype they say about them as i dont think the machine can act "deep" enough to fix problems. However from past use i did find him (again) faster to warm up and release his back muscles so im guessing its just like if someone gave us a massage
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I'll only have him fed from the ground to make sure no funny muscles develop and to allow the nasal passages to drain as nature intended ;p

The only thing about his routine thats lacking is that he doesnt get enough down time due to turnout issues. That will be rectified hopefully when we finally find our own place and move off livery
 
Oh I'd forgotton i also have a wow saddle which is checked for fit every 3 weeks as he's currently changing shape rapidly.
He is also fed only from ground, hay is soaked.
Sadly I dont have access to a solarium or equisage otherwise he would be making use of those aswell
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Book Recommendation- The injury-free horse (not to be confused with her other book the injured horse!) by amanda sutton, physiotherapist is really good for massage techniques.
 
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