Physio report on Kal . . . made for hard reading

[PolarSkye]

Kal has always been a quandry - his conformation is good (if a little upright, but that's the high %age of TB in his breeding) and he stands beautifully. But his movement has always been a worry . . . he passed a Stage 5 vetting but we found that he was unlevel through his hips, stiff in his shoulders, doesn't like sitting on his left hind (so pushes the rider to the right) and is generally quite crooked. This manifested in his being unable to canter left without going disunited when we first bought him (under saddle and on the lunge but not, oddly enough, when approaching a fence) and in being very short and tense behind (although much of that could be resolved when the rider created relaxation - when he could (and did) overtrack in the walk and track up in the trot). He does now canter correctly on both reins (although it's very bouncy left) and we have worked hard at schooling him through alot of his quirks (like rearing when he objects to what he's being asked to do!).

He's had physio four times since we bought him and each time it's benefited, and after he'd had a quite prolonged period of box rest (due to a nasty kick in the field) and then been a prat when turned out (turned himself inside out), we felt he was due another session - and because we couldn't get hold of his previous guy (despite trying for three months!) chose a different physio.

What follows is what she wrote in her assessment (I wasn't there):

"What a lovely boy - nice conformation and posture, but his movement doesn't match at all. Hopefully we can free him up. Herewith the paperwork for his first treatment [he will be seen again in 5 weeks - please do call if you want to discuss:

Condition/Topline: Lacks proximal trapezius especially
Posture: Good
Feed: Fine, one club (known and managed by farrier)

On Palpation
Neck: Tender and tension over cervical joints (right) but reasonable neck bend - evades through head and neck (which is true)
Shoulders: Right tighter
Thoracic Back: Proximal ribs (right), distal (left) tender, general quarters blocked, poor mobility and reflexes
Lumber Back: Tense and tight and very (underligned) blocked
SI Joint/Pelvis: Tender SI joint and right quarters very tight, quarter tense wasted hamstrings (right)

On Observation
Walk (straight/firm): Lacks push, swing, short steps
Trot (straight/firm): Cramped steps
Carriage: NOT (her emphasis) forwards, reluctant, short striding
Short circles (left): Fine
Short circles (right): Stiffer
Movement after circles: Same
Reversing: Blocking and no rhythm, very inconsistent steps

Treatment
Electrotherapy: 10 minutes 4-wave, resting, behind
Manipulated: Proximal rhomboids (right) distal (left), hamstring and shoulders (both)
Advice/Work: 1 day off, 1 day walk, then carry on - see in another 5 weeks

Thursday (two days after treatment) he went off for a lesson with my trainer and her trainer and he looked much free-er - particularly in trot.

Have to say, though, that when I first read the above I thought OMG, my boy should be at the knacker's yard! I respect this physio and have seen what she's done with other horses - so hopefully she CAN free my boy up.

Anyone else had experience of good/reputable physios - have they been able to unlock your otherwise lovely horses? I'm sure there will be those who think I'm wasting my money . . .

P

 

[Dancing Queen]

she sounds very thorough!

 

[be positive]

A physio report can seem awful But all the problems tend to tie together,as he learns how to use himself better the improvements will snowball.

My horses have regular checks by a physio,generally twice a year and I do feel it is very worthwhile.

I have had several "problem" horses in the yard that were totally transformed by physio and correct work,often a change of saddle is also required as the muscles build up underneath causing the saddle to be too tight.This is something to watch for with your horse.

 

[PolarSkye]

she sounds very thorough!

Thanks, yes, she certainly seems to be . . . much more so than the other physios we've used so far. Time will tell though.

P

 

[PolarSkye]

A physio report can seem awful But all the problems tend to tie together,as he learns how to use himself better the improvements will snowball.

My horses have regular checks by a physio,generally twice a year and I do feel it is very worthwhile.

I have had several "problem" horses in the yard that were totally transformed by physio and correct work,often a change of saddle is also required as the muscles build up underneath causing the saddle to be too tight.This is something to watch for with your horse.

Thanks - I'm certainly trying to see it as a positive . . . have had physio for him before but nothing as thorough as this. Agree with you about saddle issues . . . will try and keep on top of that too . . . his saddle was refitted to him about three months ago or so, but will get his saddler (who I like alot) out again once he starts to change shape . . . his current physio is also qualified to fit saddles and although I won't use her b/c I trust our current saddler, I will certainly look to her guidance (and that of my trainer who sees him every day and rides him during the week when I can't) to let me know when we should consider having his saddle checked/refitted.

What I want, ultimately, is for him to be able to move freely and to the potential of his conformation (which isn't bad) . . . he's come so far already with us, it'd be lovely to see him truly comfortable in himself (although I suspect some of his discomfort is actually in his head/remembered pain - if that makes sense). He was ridden in draw reins before we bought him and "unlocking" him has been our mission since we bought him . . . it's taken him over a year to realize that seeking a contact is not only what we want him to do, but also doesn't actually cause him physical discomfort. Bless his cottons.

P

 

[Ali2]

You'll get there I think physio can really help - my share boy had long term issues when I took him on, his back was so tight that, even after his first round of physio treatment, the saddler refused to fit a saddle to him (good on her, she's a good un and a keeper!). With physio, patient rehab exercies from his owner and me, a new properly fitted saddle (once he was fit to fit) and with ongoing regular physio and saddle checks and a strict exercise regime he's a changed man - in comfort, shape and outlook The once "bombproof" hack who plodded along with not much care to his surroundings is now a cheeky, interested fella who looks for things to spook at for fun and can give my big lad a run for his money in a race .

 

[trina1982]

Thank you for sharing this - very interesting! I ride a horse (occasionally) that sounds very very similar, and i would love to see the results of a physio visit to her. I suspect it would look much like your report.

She has a slight club foot on her front right - is this where your boys is? There is a theory that club feet can often relate to the diagonal limb. The horse i ride had problems and was lame for a while on her left hind. I'm convinced its related.

What is his temperament like. The horse i ride is quite girthy and can be very grumpy if touched around the underside of her neck/shoulders. I've often wondered if it's not just 'her' and actually a muscular issue.

Anyway, thanks for sharing - any pics?

Trina x

 

[juliette]

Think you have to accept they list absolutely everything. I used to get a bit down about the reports i got back for my cob but now view them in the light that she is comparing him to "perfect" and perfect doesn't exist very often!

I know my own physio could give some fairly poor reports on me but it doesn't stop me going about my life, sometimes i may be a bit stiff, or sore, or have a strange twinge etc but i am still basically ok! However i have recently been having treatment fortnightly and my horse only needs 6 weekly!

If the situation was bad, you would be being told she needed to return to treat your horse in the next few days, not 5 weeks.

 

[Jesstickle]

My physio hasn't treated BH. There was never anything wrong with him to warrant it. I don't think that report sounds too awful though. Definitely better than the one that would come back on me if I could afford to see the physio for myself (obviously I can't as the horses get the best of everything) as I'm held together with bits of string and my horses are injury free. Sounds like he is just generally stiff rather than in need of the knacker man. I hope she gets him freed up for you

 

[PolarSkye]

Thank you for sharing this - very interesting! I ride a horse (occasionally) that sounds very very similar, and i would love to see the results of a physio visit to her. I suspect it would look much like your report.

She has a slight club foot on her front right - is this where your boys is? There is a theory that club feet can often relate to the diagonal limb. The horse i ride had problems and was lame for a while on her left hind. I'm convinced its related.

What is his temperament like. The horse i ride is quite girthy and can be very grumpy if touched around the underside of her neck/shoulders. I've often wondered if it's not just 'her' and actually a muscular issue.

Anyway, thanks for sharing - any pics?

Trina x

Yes, his club foot is his right fore . . . how interesting! He is also very girthy, I must remember to ask Ginny (the physio) about this.

P

 

[trina1982]

Yes, his club foot is his right fore . . . how interesting! He is also very girthy, I must remember to ask Ginny (the physio) about this.

P

Isn't he lovely! Shame his neck shows such obvious draw rein use - such a difficult thing to overcome but glad to hear you are working on it!

I would be interested to know what your physio says about the girthiness, if you can keep us updated.

Good luck with him - and i for one definately don't think physio is a waste of time/money. Having had various treatments over the years on myself, it's surprising how much being crooked affects you and often it's only when you're straighter you realise how crooked and grumpy/snappy you were! I never underestimate the effect even very low grade pain can have. Good on you for seeking help with your boy! He seems like a gem of a horse.

Trina x

 

[PolarSkye]

Isn't he lovely! Shame his neck shows such obvious draw rein use - such a difficult thing to overcome but glad to hear you are working on it!

I would be interested to know what your physio says about the girthiness, if you can keep us updated.

Good luck with him - and i for one definately don't think physio is a waste of time/money. Having had various treatments over the years on myself, it's surprising how much being crooked affects you and often it's only when you're straighter you realise how crooked and grumpy/snappy you were! I never underestimate the effect even very low grade pain can have. Good on you for seeking help with your boy! He seems like a gem of a horse.

Trina x

Yes, he's not had draw reins on since we bought him (in Jan of last year) and we're STILL overcoming that rock hard neck muscle. He went off for a lesson with my trainer's instructor on Thursday and she gave us some more tips for getting him to relax that neck more - so that's something we'll continue to work on. At least now he will actually seek/take a contact - couldn't/wouldn't do that at all a year and a half ago - didn't trust either the rider or his own balance (which was non-existent).

Will certainly let you know what the physio says wrt his girthiness.

Thx - we think he's a gem .

P

 

[Luci07]

I was interested in a couple of things - 1 that you put him being upright due to his TB blood which I have never found to be the case with any of mine and also that your physio gave him 1 day off and then back to normal work. Our yard uses 3 different ones, and they all say couple of days off then hacking, then back to medium work then full work. This is not a critisism, I was just int in the different approach. If your boy is also very girthy, he could just be mega sensitive in that area. If you can lay your hands on one, the girth that seems to work has been the Stubben string girth. Its not like the old fashioned ones but quite broad and soft and been a god send for horses that a: rub easily b: are very sensitive. Numerous others (and much more expensive!) girths were tried beforehand but for once, the horses preferred the less expensive option.

I would also be interested in hearing your progress and how you are managing to work through the issues caused by the draw reins. Draw reins can be so helpful but when riders persist in using them on a horse that then draws back and holds itself behind its becomes blatantly obvious its not working. I did have one and in his case, a pessoa helped him to understand he could move from behind freely without holding himself but it did take a long time of very very short sessions!

and I do like grays anyway..

 

[PolarSkye]

I was interested in a couple of things - 1 that you put him being upright due to his TB blood which I have never found to be the case with any of mine and also that your physio gave him 1 day off and then back to normal work. Our yard uses 3 different ones, and they all say couple of days off then hacking, then back to medium work then full work. This is not a critisism, I was just int in the different approach. If your boy is also very girthy, he could just be mega sensitive in that area. If you can lay your hands on one, the girth that seems to work has been the Stubben string girth. Its not like the old fashioned ones but quite broad and soft and been a god send for horses that a: rub easily b: are very sensitive. Numerous others (and much more expensive!) girths were tried beforehand but for once, the horses preferred the less expensive option.

I would also be interested in hearing your progress and how you are managing to work through the issues caused by the draw reins. Draw reins can be so helpful but when riders persist in using them on a horse that then draws back and holds itself behind its becomes blatantly obvious its not working. I did have one and in his case, a pessoa helped him to understand he could move from behind freely without holding himself but it did take a long time of very very short sessions!

and I do like grays anyway..

Answers:

- his upright conformation - I had been told by several people more knowledgeable than I that this was likely due to the TB (rather than the draught or arab) in his breeding

- back to work - actually he had one day off, one day when he did 10 minutes of walk only under saddle, one day of walk/trot for 20 minutes and then no more work until today b/c both my trainer and I were at Burghley . He's had three different physios since we've had him and all have said that the best thing for him is to keep working - he won't build and develop correct musculature unless he works properly and the best way to correct the incorrect muscle development he carries is to work him as soon after his physio as is comfortable for him - he certainly seemed much more free when he worked in walk/trot on Thursday (two days after his physio)

- girths - I actually looked at the Stubben string girths while at Burghley this past weekend - a friend of mine uses one so perhaps I can borrow hers and see if it helps him

- overcoming draw reins (which I believe are the devil's own work in the wrong hands) - we have spent lots and lots of time lunging him - double lunging, in side reins, without side reins and in a pessoa - he can now trot and canter round on the lunge with his nose on the floor without falling over - great for stretching that neck muscle (and the rest of his topline) and improving his balance - he isn't strong enough to do it under saddle yet. Something my trainer's instructor recommended was to give him a fairly firm pat on the side of his neck to encourage him to loosen that muscle - the idea is that it distracts him momentarily, he relaxes/loosens that neck muscle (even for just a second) and instantly gets a reward (soft hands and a stroke). Sounds odd, but it seemed to work on Thursday . . . we'll see how it goes.

I know that his rehabilitation will take a long time - and I have to remind myself to look at how far he's come already - but it's frustrating to have to undo all that "damage" so that we can unlock his potential. As Ginny (physio) said - he has decent confo and when he's relaxed (at liberty) he moves nicely - he is just SO tense and resistant under saddle from years of being pinned in . Determined to sort him out, though.

Thx

P

P.S. Pretty partial to greys myself