physio or chiropractor?

[riding_to_the_stars]

my pony has quite a lot of knots in her withers and shoulders and is tight throughout her whole back. i discovered this issue very recently when she started bolting with me out on rides and being naughty to tack up. as she is my first pony and ive never had this problem before, im unsure on what service can help me sort out the problem so im looking for recommendations, a physio, chiropractor or maybe an osteopath? thanks!

 

[Red-1]

I would actually start with a vet (after a saddler and farrier had given the once over) as usually the knots are as a result of an underlying problem if it is severe enough to cause bolting (or at least running off) and being uncooperative when tacking up.

If it is your first pony, a good trainer may come before any of that as they would be able to give your riding, the tack and feet a glance, and direct you further.

 

[ponies4ever]

physio is always a good idea even if its just a check over. they will let you know if it has been caused by saddle, rider, underlying issue, etc. they are also cheeper than a vet

 

[Auslander]

physio is always a good idea even if its just a check over. they will let you know if it has been caused by saddle, rider, underlying issue, etc. they are also cheeper than a vet

It's illegal for a physio to work on a horse without the consent of a vet, and they are also not allowed to diagnose. I'ts the vet's job to find out what's wrong, and the physios job to work with the vet to resolve any issues. It may just be a case of OP's chosen practtioner calleng her vet to get consent, but with the behaviourl problems stated above, I would imagine the vet would want to see the horse first.

 

[ponies4ever]

Its illegal? can you please tell me the laws on this as we regularly have physios out and I've never heard this. know thats the case for osteopaths but not physios..?

 

[numptynoelle]

Its illegal? can you please tell me the laws on this as we regularly have physios out and I've never heard this. know thats the case for osteopaths but not physios..?

It's towards the bottom of this page: http://www.rcvs.org.uk/advice-and-g.../treatment-of-animals-by-unqualified-persons/

19.19 The Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 2015 (which revokes the Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962) allows the treatment of an animal by physiotherapy if the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) the first condition is that the person providing the treatment is aged 18 or over

(2) the second condition is that the person is acting under the direction of a qualified person who—

(a) has examined the animal, and

(b) has prescribed the treatment of the animal by physiotherapy.

19.20 The Order specifies that a qualified person “means a person who is registered in the Register of Veterinary Surgeons or the Supplementary Veterinary Register”.

19.21 'Physiotherapy' is interpreted as including all kinds of manipulative therapy. It therefore includes osteopathy and chiropractic but would not, for example, include acupuncture or aromatherapy.

 

[Auslander]

Its illegal? can you please tell me the laws on this as we regularly have physios out and I've never heard this. know thats the case for osteopaths but not physios..?

It's the case for any bodyworker.
"Physiotherapy, Osteopathic Therapy and Chiropractic Therapy

19.19 The Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 2015 (which revokes theVeterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962) allows the treatment of an animal by physiotherapy if the following conditions are satisfied:

(1) the first condition is that the person providing the treatment is aged 18 or over

(2) the second condition is that the person is acting under the direction of a qualified person who—

(a) has examined the animal, and

(b) has prescribed the treatment of the animal by physiotherapy.

19.20 The Order specifies that a qualified person “means a person who is registered in the Register of Veterinary Surgeons or the Supplementary Veterinary Register”.

19.21 'Physiotherapy' is interpreted as including all kinds of manipulative therapy. It therefore includes osteopathy and chiropractic but would not, for example, include acupuncture or aromatherapy."

 

[ponies4ever]

learn something new everyday. I stand corrected. will have to look further into how they are justifying coming out. Will say however has been very useful in identifying saddle issues and that it was something deeper in someone else's horse I know.

 

[canteron]

So difficult, I would go by recommendation, the highly trained physio around here is awful, just chats about her high profile customers and doesn't appear to give a monkeys about native/older horses, however the chiropractor was a vet, but retrained as a chiro because he was so disappointed that so many local vets 'didn't believe in them'. He is just brilliant. My vet doesn't believe in chiro's for either horses or humans - but does recommend a fantastic massage lady, who is very good at sorting horses!!

So my experience is that whilst the training is important the skills of the particular person is paramount! Rule of thumb is you have to wait for the good ones! If you like you vet, maybe chat it through with him first and if they make sense go by their recommendation.

 

[cundlegreen]

So difficult, I would go by recommendation, the highly trained physio around here is awful, just chats about her high profile customers and doesn't appear to give a monkeys about native/older horses, however the chiropractor was a vet, but retrained as a chiro because he was so disappointed that so many local vets 'didn't believe in them'. He is just brilliant. My vet doesn't believe in chiro's for either horses or humans - but does recommend a fantastic massage lady, who is very good at sorting horses!!

So my experience is that whilst the training is important the skills of the particular person is paramount! Rule of thumb is you have to wait for the good ones! If you like you vet, maybe chat it through with him first and if they make sense go by their recommendation.

My chiropractor, who I always have check my horses without any agreement from the vet, knows FAR more about the muscles/ligaments, and overall structure than my vet. Found that out when asking vet (big horse practice)about where to place electrodes on ESM machine to sort out wasted muscle. He hadn't a clue, but chiro, gave me chapter and verse of where to put them for the best result. I've learnt so much from him.....

 

[PorkChop]

A lot will depend on the individual practitioner, I use the physio for my horses every 3/4/5 weeks, I have rarely used a chiro. But I suspect it is because I have never found the right one