Those of you who have your horses back checked

Vikki89

Vikki89

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Do you have to get the vet out first?
I had my last horses back checked by a vet and then by a back person but I did not have permission from the vet for the back lady to come out.
I also had one of my current horses back checked last year also without veterinary permission.
Both times it was a different person that came out and it was booked through a friend the first time and my instructor the second time. I would like his back checked again soon and book it all myself this time but it seems alot of people say they require veterinary permission :confused:
 
At the end of the day it's your horse so you can have who you want to treat it. However, many back people will ask that you have permission from your vet for them to treat your horse. Generally though once they have that confirmation from you to start with they wouldn't ask for it each and every time. I think if you are having the horse treated as part of recovery for a condition that was receiving veterinary treatment then you are best to get the vets go ahead for this and you certanly need it signed off by a vet if it forms part of a claim. But , if you are just wanting a physio to come and give your horse than once over then I do see the need to get your vets permission.
 
Girlracer said:
I've never had veterinary permission :confused:
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No we have our boys back checked and have never thought to inform the vet first. Obviously we use a fully qualified Mctimonist (sp?) and we just have him checked as a matter of course not necessarily because we have a problem. Have we been doing something wrong???
 
When I initially had the back lady out, she spoke to the vet, as she does with all new clients.
Now, she just treats her without informing the vet.
 
no "back person" of any sort should originally start treating your horse without you having prior veterinary permission, this is LAW. However once sort permission (normally a quick phone call!) then they can treat for that "condition" or routein check up. They then may advise you seek vet attention for a problem or they may ask for permission again if your horse develops a new problem as such.

Edited to add it is not you as the owner so much who would be in trouble but the therapist.
 
Apparently you are meant to get vets permission to get a back person out, you dont need to get the vet out first, just call them and let them know what you want to do. The back person should ask you if you have vet's permission.
 
My horse doesn't have a problem or anything needing treament I just want him checked over as he did alot of jumping etc last year and I plan to do the same this summer.
Any recomendations?
 
Girlracer said:
I've never had veterinary permission :confused:
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I've not had vet permission ever either.

Vikki89 said:
My horse doesn't have a problem or anything needing treament I just want him checked over as he did alot of jumping etc last year and I plan to do the same this summer.
Any recomendations?
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The yard I used to work at had a physio come out regularly to do several horses, and as he travels to the area I'm in now I had him come and give the pony a quick once over. She was fine and doesn't need to be seen by him for a long while. If there are no obvious vet issues that your horse should be seen for, I don't see why you can't have a physio out for a session. You'll learn a fair bit about the flexibility of your horse, and he'll most likely enjoy his massage.
 
ummmm my horse wasnt showing problems but my now lovely back lady was coming t a friends horse so saw murph and spotted problems - didnt go through vet or tell vet as sorry i just wanted him checked and glad i did :)
 
I never checked with my vet before hand but mentioned I had used a back man when I next saw the vet and they were happy. I have used Stuart McGregor who was great. Based in Oxfordshire so may be within your area.
 
As previously stated it is actually the law that you physio/back person has to get your vets permission before treating your horse. No matter what their qualifications are.

My physio just tends to call the vet and tell them they are treating such and such horse. I've never heard of a vet insisting they see the horse 1st.

But it's the back person who will get into trouble, not the owner.
 
I thought you only had to get vetinary permission if the horse was lame.

Or it could be you don't need it for a routine check but need it if your horse feels 'off' or is misbehaving.

Could be totally wrong though.
 
When you refer to it being you law - what law are you referring to? Is this 100% correct? I am not convinced to be honest as surely, if that person has the correct qualifications (in fact even if they don't and are just your local horse 'magic man'), surely it is YOUR decision who treats your horse and for what? They are not administering drugs after all so i don't get it. It is not against the law for me to go and see a physio or have one see me without me consulting my doctor so i can't see why the rules would be stricter with a horse?

Sorry, just to add - my understanding is you only need to get the vet to sign off the treatment of 'alternative therapy' / physio if it is forming part of the treatment of a claim with an insurer. An insurance company will not pay for alternative treatments unless they are being carried out upon vet's advice.
 
I get my boy's back checked regularly every 6 months, especially now as he'll be 20 next month. It has never been mentioned to me, by anyone, that I should have my vet's permission and to be honest, I didn't know that I had to. He's my horse, not my vet's, so isn't it up to me who treats him??? :confused:
 
Kokopelli said:
I thought you only had to get vetinary permission if the horse was lame.

Or it could be you don't need it for a routine check but need it if your horse feels 'off' or is misbehaving.

Could be totally wrong though.
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Nope, they have to have permission end of. No matter what the cause for call out, whether there's a problem or just a general check up.

This is copied off the ACPAT website (http://www.acpat.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=41)

"Note: Legislation stipulates that animals may only be treated by a Veterinary Surgeon or someone authorised by a Veterinary Surgeon"
 
ladyt25 said:
When you refer to it being you law - what law are you referring to? Is this 100% correct? I am not convinced to be honest as surely, if that person has the correct qualifications (in fact even if they don't and are just your local horse 'magic man'), surely it is YOUR decision who treats your horse and for what? They are not administering drugs after all so i don't get it. It is not against the law for me to go and see a physio or have one see me without me consulting my doctor so i can't see why the rules would be stricter with a horse?

Sorry, just to add - my understanding is you only need to get the vet to sign off the treatment of 'alternative therapy' / physio if it is forming part of the treatment of a claim with an insurer. An insurance company will not pay for alternative treatments unless they are being carried out upon vet's advice.
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please see my above post. There is actual legislation about this. again it is not the owner that is breaking the legislation, it is the therapist.
 
galaxy23 said:
As previously stated it is actually the law that you physio/back person has to get your vets permission before treating your horse. No matter what their qualifications are.

My physio just tends to call the vet and tell them they are treating such and such horse. I've never heard of a vet insisting they see the horse 1st.

But it's the back person who will get into trouble, not the owner.
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Ditto the above.

My physio also requested that she could ask my vets for my horses medical history. Apparently this is normal for all of her new clients so she can get a good background on them before she makes a yard visit!
 
galaxy23 said:
Nope, they have to have permission end of. No matter what the cause for call out, whether there's a problem or just a general check up.

This is copied off the ACPAT website (http://www.acpat.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&Itemid=41)

"Note: Legislation stipulates that animals may only be treated by a Veterinary Surgeon or someone authorised by a Veterinary Surgeon"
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I didn't realise this, but my back person and vet are very close so she probably gets permission without us realising.

Might mention it though when we next have her out.
 
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