Suspected back problem, who do I get first

[horsegirl]

Vet or back person?

Can anyone recommend a back person in the Surrey area?

 

[emma69]

If you don't know a great back person, then the vet. I had a fantastic guy who I did used to call before the vet sometimes, but he was incredibly knowledgable, knew a lot of the horses, and was a darn sight cheaper than the vet - but he would never hesitate to tell us when it should be the vet, not him, performing any treatment or diagnosis.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Do you know what you want i.e. Physio or Chrio? Know a good Physio if that's what your after. You will need vets permission before any 'back person' can treat your horse, so they may want to see the horse 1st. PM for physio details

 

[Law]

From my experience i would call a physio first. (Phone vet and ask if this is ok first) Physio can take out any spasms or knots with muscles which is best to do first. If you get back person out and they 'fix' something they might cause a muscle spasm to be worse or may cause a muscle problem. If the muscles are soft then any pressure caused by a bone movement won't cause to big a problem. If the muscles were tight then it would make them worse. (not making much sense here sorry)

I got the phsio out and she felt there were three areas that were slightly tighter than normal but that the chiro was the best thing to do next. I consulted the vet first and had him out, only for him to watch the horse being lunged and agree that 'yes, he's not happy is he?' I can't see what is wrong but there is 'something' wrong.

Good luck (I also tried the dentist too but it was the back that was the problem)

 

[Sags_Deer]

what makes you suspect a back problem then?

 

[AmyMay]

For me it would always be my vet.

 

[miamibear]

I agree with Lau, i would get my qualified physio out first on permission of my vet.

 

[LauraBR]

Vet!

Definitely vet. Few back related problems are caused by 'one off' slips or knocks- most are caused by something else underlying- things that physios etc aren't trained to spot. Physio might release pressure in a muscle that has spasmed to protect another area of pain etc.

More than likely your vet will refer you if needs be. I learnt the hard way- you can pay a back physio/chiro/bowen/etc etc to sort your horses back but if something else is contributing then you'll be spending A LOT of money on regular treatment and potentially really not doing your horse any favours.

 

[luane1]

It would depend on the physio. Mine is superb and I got her when the horse we had just bought started nappping, she diagnosed very sore back and he treated, gave us exercise and came back twice more and kept rinigng to see how he was getting on. This horse had just been 5* vetted with no apparent problems.

 

[horsegirl]

He has started swinging his hind quarters away from the mounting block so we can't get on. We have to bribe him to stand still. That alone I thought he was just being naughty as he does not appear to be in pain when ridden, walks, trots, canters with ears pricked but he has recently (last few days) started doing an odd hopping when trotting as though he is going to break into canter every few strides. This also coincides with time he has not been turned out so I was wondering if it was his back or if he is just a bit stiff from standing in the stable.

 

[Louby]

If you are insured then you must phone the vet first and I think you have to get someone they reccommend (could be wrong on this) as if it turns out to be something else then your insurance claim could be invalidated. Only telling you this as apparantly a horse was treated by un registered back person without letting the vet know first. Turned out horse had a fractured pelvis (vet told them this after back man had agrivated it, he didnt know and horse went worse) and owner couldnt claim for vets fees for the fractured pelvis.

 

[horsegirl]

If the vet refers us is it usually covered by insurance?

 

[Sags_Deer]

okay well only if you know of a very good physio in your area, where do you live, try apact, for a list then call them.. Have you had your saddle checked recently, or has someone else ridden your horse differently to you?

 

[horsegirl]

He had a new saddle fitted by adrian from buttons when I bought him 6 months ago.

 

[Louby]

Some insurers do cover it. Im sure a girl on my old yard got some back and she was with NFU.

 

[tashyisaudrey]

You need to get referal by vet for physio, unless you know a good one already.

 

[Bert&Maud]

I had physio on the authority of my vet. After 3 treatments no better so then vet came with physio. £250 worth of fees for that! Vet then took him in for x-rays, diagnosed kissing spines. Not had the bill for x-rays or treatment yet, but NFU have paid up straight away for all the physio and vets visits.

 

[nicnag]

I have a lot more faith in my physio than my vet when it comes to back problems ( I had a mare who had a really bad back, vet couldn't suggest anymore than a couple of weeks rest on bute, also displayed stringhalt type action which he wasn't concerned about but physio spotted straight away). I'd certainly call your vet and if you don't feel he is spotting the possible problem straight away ask to be referred to a good physio.

 

[Lucy_Ally]

You need a correct diagnosis of the problem and this can only be done by a vet. If they feel physio/massage would be of benefit then they will refer you to a qualified specialist. I am not really an advocate of the "back man", as a group they are unregulated and many can do more harm than good. However a good physio or sports massage therapist is worth their weight in gold but only when they know what they are dealing with by following a veterinary diagnosis.

 

[merlinsquest]

I will echo the 'vet first' posts...... I got the back lady out as a favour for merlin (he hurt his hoolying round the field we think). But if I wanted to continue treatment and claim on insurance I had to go to the vet and be referred to the back lady (physio not Chiro) otherwise she could not come back out, and also not able to claim.

 

[Louby]

Apparantly a registered back person should not come out without the go ahead from your vet. We once had a back man out for the full yard and he said my horse was the worse, pulled her tail, used a broom along her back and pulled her legs in some contortionistic sp positions, said to box rest her and he would come again. We'd just got him without any referral. I know you shouldnt judge someone on how they look but he just didnt look like a horsey person at all. I rang my vets and they had never heard of him so I got the lady they reccomended and she visited once and said my mare was fine. Heard the story about the broken pelvis (earlier post)soon after and it was this back man.

 

[Oaksflight]

Vet because for the majority of physios and chiros you need a vets recommendation to say you can get them out. Or those that I'd trust anyway!

 

[annie02]

I also say vet first, I love my alternative therapies (physio, chiro or massage) but I always have my vet out first. She has no problem refering me to someone else but wants to make sure it isnt something else being masked, by say a sore back.

 

[acolvine]

I would say vet first or at least ring for advice and they will prob recomend a visit. Some vets will refer you to physio or Equine massage therapist.

Check out www.equinenergy.com as it will list qualified equine body workers in your area. You do need your vets agreement for an EBW to perform massage on your horse. EBW's are certified to carry out sports massage and also regulated by the International Equine Body Workers association as well as fully insured. Costs about £30 - £40 per session which lasts about 1 - 2 hrs and will cover your horses deep/superficials muscles, tendons, ligaments from head to tail.
They will tell you if your horse has any contracted muscles, spasms, area's of tenderness etc and should provide you with a report that you can give to your vet.
As someone pointed out in an earlier post there maybe a further underlying factor causing muscular issues and you will need to get the vet to diagnose. If an EBW finds anything they consider to be a contra-indication to massage then they will refer straight back to the vet anyhow.

Hope you get it sorted soon.

 

[BethH]

My well qualified and excellent chiropractor who I think is Surrey based is called Gill Maybury, on 2nd visit after seeing my ned wasn't loads better, she recommended referral to the vet and was happy to be called by vet to discuss her concerns. Vet visited, ned was referred to clinic, then diagnosed with kissing spines, was operated on and now back in work staying sound. Without my chiropracter I am not sure it would have been sorted, she was also great at helping me make informed decisions about surgery and went out of her way to get information for me and chat through my options. Several vets in the past had advised nothing wrong (although his condition deteriorated with time!) I thought I was imagining the whole thing and probably would have carried on for a couple more years with niggling doubts that there was something not quite right! A good and properly qualified back person be it physio, osteopath or chiropractor should know their stuff well enough to help you and also know that a vet check up may be better than a treatment from them. I have had some fantastic help from these so called "back people"!