There is an interesting article in this week’s Horse & Hound which is seeking volunteers to take part in a research project looking at the relationship between saddle slip and back problems in horses.
Sue Dyson, Animal Health Trust (AHT) vet who is Head of Clinical Orthopaedics at the Centre for Equine Studies and joint author of “Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse”, is undertaking the project with a PhD student. “Saddle slip is seen in all sorts of horses and can contribute to back pain and impaired performance….with research suggesting that 25% of British dressage horses having a history of back-related problems.” This emphasises the need to ensure that riders get their saddles checked regularly, making sure that the saddle is suitable for both horse and rider. Failure to do so can mean that your horse could end up with back-related problems and once a weakness is established, it can mean that your horse may have to have on-going musculoskeletal therapy such as chiropractic to deal with the problem. In minor cases, this can lead to poor performance and in extreme cases, this can lead to lamenesses, which may or may not become permanent.
Chiropractic, and in particular McTimoney Chiropractic, is a gentle non-invasive treatment that works to realign and balance the horse’s musculoskeletal system, restoring health, movement, soundness and performance through manipulation that realigns the joints, relieving muscle tension and associated discomfort. If you are thinking of getting your saddle checked, it is always worthwhile making sure that your horse is correctly aligned or “straight” prior to this, so that the saddler is fitting a saddle to a straight horse and not having to make allowances within the saddle fitting for your horses’s misalignments, which will compound any musculoskeletal imbalances that your horse may have. A horse with correct alignment and a well-fitting saddle will be able to move correctly and improve its way of going and if it feels comfortable in its work, it will be able to perform at its best.
Waterside Chiropractic offers the McTimoney technique and can assess and treat your horse. Initial consultations and assessments can be booked by calling Jackie Leftwich, McTimoney Chiropractor (Qualified to treat Human & Animals) on 07738 110570. Don’t leave it until your horse has a problem, get your horse checked out so that you and your horse can both perform at your best.