Tension = tight muscles

[Mari]

My new pony, before coming to me, has spent at least the past year suffering from tension which has made her 'hold' herself & consequently all her muscles from poll to dock are very tight & often are painful when she is lunged or ridden so she bucks. This is improving as I am doing lots of relaxing, stretching, massage to help her but does anyone know of a supplement that might help relax tight muscles? She is not spooky & when relaxed is very supple. It is a muscle problem not joint but everything seems to be for joint mobility.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I don't really know of a supplement other than calmers but can recommend acupuncture to relax muscle tension which is causing problems. I have had a vet do it for two of my horses.

 

[NaeNae87]

The tissue salt Mag Phos will help with muscle tension and spasm. You dissolve 5 in a syringe with water and squirt it into your horse's mouth.

Here is some info on them
http://www.countrypark.com.au/articles/april_2004/tissue_salts.htm

And some places to buy them from
http://www.elixirhealth.co.uk/Schuessler-Tissue-Salts.asp?types=Schuessler+Tissue+Salts

http://www.martinandpleasance.com/brands/schuessler-tissue-salts/

 

[Mari]

Thank you. Pony is undergoing a bute test at present but I want the problem solved not hidden.
Pearlsasinger - how often did you need to have it done?
NaeNae87 - Do you give it at a specific time? Eg an hour before exercise?

 

[NaeNae87]

Nope, I give it at dinner time. But it can be done whenever.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

One horse needed just 1 treatment for a poll problem which was affecting her shoulder muscles and the other needed a course of 4 or 5 and in-hand exercise for a back muscle problem.

 

[Cortez]

I think that relying on the magical properties of a supplement will not have as much of an effect (or possibly any effect) as proper schooling. The cause of the bucking may well be tension and tight muscles, but I would bet that the cause of the tension is incorrect way of going. If the problem is more serious than that then acupuncture is one possible therapy.

 

[TrasaM]

I did a Masterson method course a while back and it was amazing seeing how much tension some horses hold in their bodies. It seems to become so ingrained in some that they can't release it by themselves and need help to let down. It's worth reading up about as some of the techniques are easy to do and won't do any harm to the horse. There are lots of videos on youtube which will show you how: look up Jim Masterson.
There are quite a few practitioners about so it should be easy to find one if you chose to use this method.