roach back and twisted pelvis.

[harmonicdream]

Hi all, I really need help. My mare has a roached back which has never come across as a problem but thought id mention this as well. Although lately have noticed her spine leads to the left side of her body when facing behind her and her right side of her pelvis is higher up then the other side. Ive tried to do some research about this but haven't found any good advice. I've had the physiological out who noticed straight away and was quite concerned and then a week later I had the Chiro out to try put it back in place but he wasn't very concerned so didn't touch it but got me to get her mum and glucosamine to help with joint pain ect. I feel like since noticing this difference in her pelvis, her work ethic has began to deteriorate, she is an enthusiastic jumper and has such a lovely shape over the fence but recently has been very put off and hesitant and has a bit of a "trot and pop" shape over any fence no matter how big or small.... she does have bad heals so has corrective shoeing and ive heard this can be a reason for the pelvis go twist/move. What is everyones advice? do I seek out a better Chiro and see what they think? will it effect her future? I wanted to eventually do higher level show jumping as she is very talented and bold. thanks, any help is appreciated

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Why don't you get a vet to look at the poor mare and actually find out what is going on - it sounds to me like she is showing very obvious signs of pain somewhere and deserves a full work up to pin down where the problem is and help her ?

 

[AmyMay]

Spot on with the advice MrsJingle

 

[be positive]

I am guessing the physiotherapist? wanted you to get the vet as they didn't want to work on the horse, so you tried a chiro who also didn't do anything because they also knew it was beyond their ability to fix but possibly neither really told you the truth which is that she needs a vet to diagnose what really is going on and that as it is very obvious that she is one sided as well as the twist the treatment options may be limited.
One of mine was uneven, probably not as badly as yours sounds, had injections into his SI joints but the vet did tell me he may never jump again, he actually recovered very well but the rehab was very intense and took 6 months to really get him level.

 

[harmonicdream]

Why don't you get a vet to look at the poor mare and actually find out what is going on - it sounds to me like she is showing very obvious signs of pain somewhere and deserves a full work up to pin down where the problem is and help her ?

believe it or not, I have had a vet chiro out. She was not worried about it which is why I let it go for a while. I have barely been riding her and she is on joint relief supplements ect. Its just a mess and no one is giving me an answer. I have had 3 different people look at her and still im in the deep end with no answers. I want nothing but relief for her and ive been so beside myself and unsure on who to contact and what to do hence why ive come on here.

 

[harmonicdream]

I am guessing the physiotherapist? wanted you to get the vet as they didn't want to work on the horse, so you tried a chiro who also didn't do anything because they also knew it was beyond their ability to fix but possibly neither really told you the truth which is that she needs a vet to diagnose what really is going on and that as it is very obvious that she is one sided as well as the twist the treatment options may be limited.
One of mine was uneven, probably not as badly as yours sounds, had injections into his SI joints but the vet did tell me he may never jump again, he actually recovered very well but the rehab was very intense and took 6 months to really get him level.

I had a vet Chiro out who was not concerned, I then got my physio out a couple of weeks later who said I needed the Chiro out immediately to put her back in place, never mentioned ANYTHINg of the vet and then the Chiro I ended up using instead as previous one was unavailable was not concerned over that too much. im just confused as I have had the vet out and physic and Chiro and don't know what to do.

 

[AmyMay]

If you tell us what part of the country you’re in then members will be able to recommend a good vet for you.

 

[be positive]

I had a vet Chiro out who was not concerned, I then got my physio out a couple of weeks later who said I needed the Chiro out immediately to put her back in place, never mentioned ANYTHINg of the vet and then the Chiro I ended up using instead as previous one was unavailable was not concerned over that too much. im just confused as I have had the vet out and physic and Chiro and don't know what to do.

How can they not be concerned, your horse is showing discomfort and loss of performance, it sounds as if they are unsure what to di so are just passing the buck and missing the point, that being the horse is obviously in discomfort, at the very least, and requires proper diagnostics being done, or if they think it is beyond treatment they should be honest and tell you.
My vet told me we had one chance and possibly a 50% chance he would come right so we went ahead with treatment, which worked better than he expected but at least he told me the truth from day 1, he was a new vet I got in because the previous vet had not been concerned about my wonky lame horse.

As Amymay has suggested tell us roughly where you are and see if we can find you a better option, apart from the vet chiro the others should not treat the horse anyway without a proper diagnosis and permission from a vet and I suspect they know this requires some further investigations but neither told you for some reason, not all practitioners are as honest as they should be, some find it hard to tell an owner what they don't want to hear, we tend to be a bit more realistic on here as we are not actually facing you and between us have a vast amount of different experiences both with horses and the various professionals we deal with.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I can only repeat the horse needs a full diagnostic work up form your vet...you mention a 'vet' chiro not sure if you are saying a fully qualified vet or some other obscure description and title that some 'professionals' like to give themselves. If a fully qualified vet then I would suggest you look for another fully qualified vets opinion after full work up as been done.

 

[Trouper]

Within strict controls Tom Beech (The Osteopathic Vet) seems to be working - he would be my go to person for something which sounds as serious as this.

 

[Horses_Rule]

If your vet chiro is like a vet physio then that isn’t a qualified vet. It’s a physio or chiro. Save your money from endless appointments from other professionals who can’t really give your horse what she needs and haven’t got the balls to tell you to get a vet. Get a full work up from your vet and then they may advise physio / chiro treatment alongside your issues to help. Some vets use their own recommended specialists, I know mine do. I’m not sure your on your position with your current vet but maybe it’s worth getting in touch with a larger practise with more diagnostic tools and more experience in investigating problems to get to the bottom of it. In the past if my vets won’t listen to me then I have gone in search of a vet that will listen for the sake of my horse.

 

[Tiddlypom]

A vet chiropractor is the bees knees of back people. A qualified vet who has gone on to further train in chiropractic techniques. I use such a person, though I do not know if she is currently working during lockdown.

But has the OP really had a vet chiro out, or some less qualified person?

 

[Horses_Rule]

A vet chiropractor is the bees knees of back people. A qualified vet who has gone on to further train in chiropractic techniques. I use such a person, though I do not know if she is currently working during lockdown.

But has the OP really had a vet chiro out, or some less qualified person?

I will stand corrected if that’s the case TP! I just think some people get a vet physio out and think oh wow it’s a vet who’s a physio! Not so sure on the chiro situation as never really used one even though I have heard of a few, so wasn’t sure if it was similar in OPs situation

 

[Tiddlypom]

Fair enough, there are so many equine back people out there calling themselves all sorts of things. There was someone on here calling themselves a chirotherapist recently (there is no such thing).

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

But has the OP really had a vet chiro out, or some less qualified person?

That was my point and I am sure OP can confirm one way or the other.

 

[ester]

TBF I've only ever seen the term vet chiro be used for people who are vets first.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

TBF I've only ever seen the term vet chiro be used for people who are vets first.

I have seen it used as an abbreviation for veterinary chiropractor - as in chiropractor for animals, but does give a suggestion that they are in fact qualified veterinarians when clearly they are not . I have also seen it used in front of other equine services too and very often a million miles away from any qualification. Hopefully not in this instance.

 

[Auslander]

Only a qualified vet can be a chiropractor - there are many McTimney practitioners who use the word, but aren't actually chiropractors. Neither physiotherapist or chiropractor are controlled terms when prefixed with "Veterinary" which makes it, in my humble opinion, far to easy for smoke and mirrors to occur.
Simplest way to ensure that you are using a properly qualified practitioner is to ask for a recommendation from your vet

 

[Tiddlypom]

Chiropractor is a protected title, though?

Regulation
In common with other healthcare professionals such as medical practitioners nurses and dentists, the chiropractic profession is regulated by law.

The Chiropractors Act 1994 provides statutory regulation for the profession and the title ‘chiropractor’ is protected under this legislation. The statutory regulator is the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and it is illegal to practise as a chiropractor without being registered with the GCC.

All British Chiropractic Association members are required to be registered with the GCC.

The McTimoney Chiropractic Association (MCA) is the only chiropractic association to have a specific group of chiropractors qualified and trained to treat animals. All members of the MCA Animal Group are registered chiropractors, who have completed their initial 5 year’s chiropractic training and have gone on to a further postgraduate qualification in animal chiropractic techniques. This dual training can be a huge benefit to horse riders or dog handlers as they can be treated in tandem with their animals.

Working Together
Legally chiropractors may only work with the permission of the individual’s veterinary surgeon; the reality is that often the veterinary surgeon may suggest chiropractic as part of the remedy and in practical terms this may mean working in collaboration with the veterinary team.

 

[Auslander]

Chiropractor is a protected title, though?

Regulation
In common with other healthcare professionals such as medical practitioners nurses and dentists, the chiropractic profession is regulated by law.

The Chiropractors Act 1994 provides statutory regulation for the profession and the title ‘chiropractor’ is protected under this legislation. The statutory regulator is the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and it is illegal to practise as a chiropractor without being registered with the GCC.

All British Chiropractic Association members are required to be registered with the GCC.

The McTimoney Chiropractic Association (MCA) is the only chiropractic association to have a specific group of chiropractors qualified and trained to treat animals. All members of the MCA Animal Group are registered chiropractors, who have completed their initial 5 year’s chiropractic training and have gone on to a further postgraduate qualification in animal chiropractic techniques. This dual training can be a huge benefit to horse riders or dog handlers as they can be treated in tandem with their animals.

Working Together
Legally chiropractors may only work with the permission of the individual’s veterinary surgeon; the reality is that often the veterinary surgeon may suggest chiropractic as part of the remedy and in practical terms this may mean working in collaboration with the veterinary team.

It's only a protected title with regards to human treatment

 

[indie1282]

You need a proper vet to look at your horse. Dont ride her until someone has been out to look at her and given her a proper work up.

I dont know how vets are operating at the moment but if you say your rough location someone may be able to recommend a Vet.