Physio or Chiro ?

D

delicious dapple

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I've decided I need someone to come and check over my horse but am unsure whether to get a chiropractor or a physiotherapist out and hoping you could advise me?

So I have had the usual done, had his teeth done end of may, new saddle that was fitted end of june and rechecked 2 weeks ago, bridle seems fine.

He isnt lame but will not canter under saddle and when he does he is throwing his head really low down. He has also begun to headshake, both up and down and side to side, which has never done in the two years ive owned him. I hacked him out a few days ago and he was rearing the whole time we were out which is unlike him, I thought he was maybe bored so put up a jump last night. It was only a very small cross about 1ft ish, and he first stopped and then reared up over it and then cat leapt it the second time I turned him to it (he was jumping 85cm nicely with good shape last summer with my friend). So I tried again tonight but he did exactly the same (reared up over it) and then threw himself over it the second time. He was also pinning his ears back tonight which is also really unlike him, in both trot and over the jump.

He is a 5yr old TB but we dont know if he raced or not. He is usually very forwards and loves a good gallop through a stubble field but recently he wont even canter.

So could anyone tell me who would be best to have a look at my lad please?

thanks for your help
hot choccie and cookies for those who got to the end :)
 
i personally would go for a chiropractor as the physio is more muscle based. but i would also consider getting the vet out, especially concerned with the headshaking as there is a common theory now about it being related to trigeminal nerve damage
 
thanks overtherainbow thought i would get his back checked out first and then if problem still persists or there is nothing wrong I would get the vet out to him - he is due his vacs anyway so will get them to check him over if needs be.

I wondered if it could be a muscular problem as he is still building up? but didnt know if physio's look at his back so to speak as well ?

thanks dd xx
 
Is this since having the new saddle?
I use a good physio as not sure that horses put their backs out,but they do often get muscle injuries and sore areas.
 
hi wellsat, his saddle was rechecked for fit two weeks ago and we have put a tri pad prolite underneath but he hasnt changed shape a great deal.

bepositive - He was fine for a while in the new saddle and have had the fitter out three times to check it since we had it fitted and they say it fits. He has been unhappy in canter for a few weeks i put this down to moving yards and getting used to working in an arena but now wont canter at all.

He cantered ok in his field but not very free moving and only for a few strides then he stopped.

DDxx
 
I would go for physio then,they will check the saddle anyway.
I have had some horses come with recently fitted saddles that were awful and doing damage,not saying that is your problem ,but it wouldnt be the first time.
It could just be that he has found working in a school more is difficult and has tightened up because of that.
 
Based on what you've said i'd say chiro personally (then again perhaps I'm biased seeing as i start my uni course to become one in 4 weeks!). A chiro can manipulate the back and will pick up if anything is out and will do soft tissue too. The physios only do the soft tissues. Any decent one of either will check your saddle anyway.
Jorel

p.s. I had HELL with a saddle and saddler who told me for 2 years my saddle was fine, We kept saying it was wrong (murphy couldn't canter right at all). The saddler was out every 3 months in those 2 years and it then turned out it had a manufacturing fault in the tree which made it completely wonky >_< I would get a second opinion just to have piece of mind.
 
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