Sports massage on Youngsters - Yay or nay?

CBFan

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Just a mussing really... and wondering if there are any proffessionals that might have a better idea... My youngster (2.5 y/o) has got himself into all sorts over the past year and has been seen rearing up and falling over, skidding to a halt and falling on his bum and with other (pretty hefty) geldings mounting him etc during his shinanigans... he sometimes looks a little awkward behind (not lame but just not quite right) and I wonder whether I should get some sort of massage therapist to do a bit of work on him or whether he's considered too young to have such treatments?? Vet is never concerned by his gait...

thoughts please?
 
Hmm, well, not a professional opinion but if it were me I'd be inclined to get someone out if he doesn't seem quite right. Assuming you will be backing him in the future, IMO it's better to get him 'right' now before you start :) Not sure I'd go with sports massage personally, but if you know someone good then each to their own :D Is he well handled?
 
I would be tempted to have someone out to have a look at him, but would not go for someone who is too invasive, such as a physio or a chiro, would prefer someone who is less manipulative, such as Bowen.
 
Thanks for the replies... I will speak to a lady I know - she's very good. As you say, I didn't want anything too invasive but she'd be able to identify any thing that needs a tweek and I'm sure he'd enjoy a good massage.

Yes, he is well handled and has all the regular things done with him...
 
I had the chiropractor out to mine just before he was 3. He was well wonky (similar throwing him self about) and was fine with it - also gets them used to things like that. He quite enjoyed it although everytime she moved around him he had to re-inspects things so it took a while. Made him more comfortable and if you are going to be working with them (long lineing etc)I think it is important they are as you don't want them to associate working with pain. If you have one you like then call them and have a chat with them. Sports massage wouldn't hurt him but I would say chiro really at this stage.
 
I had my yearling/two year old done by a mctimmony lady once. He was always unusually sluggish so I thought he might like a treatment. I asked her opinion and she said she could give him a mini treatment more like getting him used to having people poke and prod and handle him and she didn't charge me very much for it. He loved having it done and it was a good introductory session for him.
He's also no longer nearly as sluggish :) I would seek their professional opinion but would happily say give it a try. :)
 
Thanks guys - you've reasured me that I'm not thinking the wrong thing and after seeing him on the lunge this afternoon, I know he's not right.... He just wasn't tracking up on his near side - fetlock looked fine, hock looked fine and I'd even say the stifle looked fine... I think it is coming from higher up (hip / pelvis) which wouldn't suprise me considering I've seen him with a solid cob mounting him!!! and he recently sustained an scrape to the inside of his hock, which would sugest he was mounted then... hmmmm bloomin horses!!
 
When my horse was young she skidded about in the field and pulled her hamstring, it sounds as though your boy may have done a similar thing. The Bowen lady sorted it out and she was fine afterwards.
 
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