cyberhorse
Well-Known Member
I am wondering if you would use an equine physio to prevent problems rather than because you had a problem. I have a 14yr old KWPN who's conformation is very slighly hollow backed and I am obviously a bit paranoid about his back (everyone else would say totally paranoid). He is a showjumper (so uses his back a lot) and I do a lots of long and low work and general ground work aimed at keeping him supple and strong across his back.
Currently he gets his back checked by his vet who thinks he is A1, has excellent topline, plenty of muscular support and is very supple. She feels we are fine as we are but the choice of a routine physio is up to me as there is no health need. Quite a few people on the yard are very wary as they have a if it's not broke don't try fixing it frame of mind given they have had some practitioners making their horses worse and I can well understand their opinions. However I see the physio regularly and feel the benefit and at the moment my horse only has a massage pad, his vet and me. If he is an athlete surely he'd have some benefit even if he has no problems at present, or would you not take the risk and only use one if we had a problem crop up? Totally undecided at the moment as I was for it and everyone I speak to thinks I am being OTT so not sure now.
Currently he gets his back checked by his vet who thinks he is A1, has excellent topline, plenty of muscular support and is very supple. She feels we are fine as we are but the choice of a routine physio is up to me as there is no health need. Quite a few people on the yard are very wary as they have a if it's not broke don't try fixing it frame of mind given they have had some practitioners making their horses worse and I can well understand their opinions. However I see the physio regularly and feel the benefit and at the moment my horse only has a massage pad, his vet and me. If he is an athlete surely he'd have some benefit even if he has no problems at present, or would you not take the risk and only use one if we had a problem crop up? Totally undecided at the moment as I was for it and everyone I speak to thinks I am being OTT so not sure now.