I have a horse that has been pretty back sore the past week or so. He seems kind of stiff and less happy to move forward at the beginning of a ride. After a 5-10 minute warm up he gets back to his usual self. We did have the vet out and we are going to re-evaluate saddle fit. In the meantime, I am thinking about trying to get some body work done for him and see if that doesn’t help a bit. I know a lot of times these are done in conjunction, but I am curious as to what you guys would start with. Massage? Chiro? Acupuncture?
I would start with massage. If it’s just muscle soreness, that should take care of it. If it’s something structural that needs chiro, massage first will only help to loosen up the area and may get him a better adjustment. I’m a pretty big skeptic of acupuncture, but others swear by it, so no real advice from me there. But either way, getting the saddle fit looked at is a good thing to do, too! Good luck
Depending on where you live–check for Lyme.
Then go with Chiro from a vet.
I would start with massage as well
Having had all three things down to various horse in the past and present I have seen great results from all three. Though most recently I have been just doing massage and chiro. I think if the horse is working out of it might just be muscle so I would start with massage. But if it persists I would definitely look into chiro. I’m lucky that I have a vet who is also the chiropractor. Helps me when it comes to ruling out muscle and lameness issues. And I usually try and follow it up in between with massages. In the winter I am very lucky that the barn my horse is at has a certified massage therapist as the barn owner. The vet/chirp has even used passed her info on to his other clients. And it’s nice that they can work together. Sometimes that is hard to find.
And definitely have the saddle fit checked. That can make a huge difference as well.
I would start with massage.
I’ve seen good results from acupuncture too. We used it on an OTTB that was rescued from New Holland and who had a lot of overall body soreness.
I’m not a huge fan of chiro, but I think the really good bodyworkers are using some of the same techniques.
Keep in mind that if something is “out of alignment” because of tight muscles, then adjustments won’t hold. That’s why it’s generally a good idea to have massage first.
A good chiro will do some body work if they find an area that is too sore or locked. Only use a certified chiropractor!!! Massage and acupuncture are great compliments to chiropractic work.
My guy gets chiro and acupuncture done in conjunction with each other by a certified vet. Absolutely worth every penny- the proof is in the puddin’!
I’d start with chiro then do massage.
I’d START with chiro, then massage… and then once your horse is regularly seen by a chiro, do the massage first and then chiro… the two work together to keep everything “in the right place” and address any thing that is out or sore.
Unpopular opinion here, but I’d skip on both the chiro and acupuncture. From what I’ve seen, the only evidence in support of both is anecdotal; and, in my humble opinion, I will not spend money on procedures with little evidence. If anything will provide results, it’s massage. I’ve never used Robaxin, but from a drug perspective, it is an option.
If you have access to an excellent chiropractor, I’d start there and maintain their work with massage therapy between chiropractic appointments. If you don’t have a really good chiro, maybe just go straight to massage.
[QUOTE=Andean Echo;8277828]
Unpopular opinion here, but I’d skip on both the chiro and acupuncture. From what I’ve seen, the only evidence in support of both is anecdotal; and, in my humble opinion, I will not spend money on procedures with little evidence. If anything will provide results, it’s massage. I’ve never used Robaxin, but from a drug perspective, I suppose there is that option.[/QUOTE]
Maybe you haven’t met the right chiro? That’s like saying to skip all the men in the world because you’ve only dated losers… you just got to find the right one!
I was a skeptic too… especially after I used several without any benefit… but then I found my current chiropractor who, if you asked me, walks on water. My horse’s transformation in a matter of 24hrs was astounding. He went from tense and very reluctant to work with me to being so supple I was sure he was a different horse.
[QUOTE=beowulf;8277838]
Maybe you haven’t met the right chiro? That’s like saying to skip all the men in the world because you’ve only dated losers… you just got to find the right one!
I was a skeptic too… especially after I used several without any benefit… but then I found my current chiropractor who, if you asked me, walks on water. My horse’s transformation in a matter of 24hrs was astounding. He went from tense and very reluctant to work with me to being so supple I was sure he was a different horse.[/QUOTE]
It seems to me that when people rave about great chiropractors, they’re actually raving about great massage therapists. I have yet to be convinced that any bone-manipulation is actually occurring. So if you’re seeing great benefits from chiropractic care, by all means do not let anything stop you from utilizing such care (including me)! 
But (not that it really matters ;)) just know that I think the benefits are actually coming from the massage of the muscles, not manipulation of the skeleton.
great chiro then other
definitely all 3 are great…personally I would go in this order: get the saddle fit and then massage or massage but not ride until saddle fit is checked…the benefit of the massage will mostly be lost if you then ride in a saddle that does not fit, then chiro and then acupuncture if needed.
[QUOTE=Andean Echo;8277846]
It seems to me that when people rave about great chiropractors, they’re actually raving about great massage therapists. I have yet to be convinced that any bone-manipulation is actually occurring. So if you’re seeing great benefits from chiropractic care, by all means do not let anything stop you from utilizing such care (including me)! But (not that it really matters ;)) just know that I think the benefits are actually coming from the massage of the muscles, not manipulation of the skeleton.[/QUOTE]
And the struggle of massage therapists every where is real yo…yes relieving muscle tension can allow a chiropractic adjustment to occur…working on humans I am trained to explicitly tell people before hand (ha ha untentional there but ya before I even touch them) that the intent and scope of my work is on MUSCLE and that any adjustment to BONES is absolutely unintentional, free of charge. Also, I have heard the snap crackle pop come out of myself and horses that chiros are working on.
[QUOTE=nu2u;8278013]
And the struggle of massage therapists every where is real yo…yes relieving muscle tension can allow a chiropractic adjustment to occur…working on humans I am trained to explicitly tell people before hand (ha ha untentional there but ya before I even touch them) that the intent and scope of my work is on MUSCLE and that any adjustment to BONES is absolutely unintentional, free of charge. Also, I have heard the snap crackle pop come out of myself and horses that chiros are working on.[/QUOTE]
I think it’s great to identify that the scope of a massage therapist is just that–to massage the muscles. However, the “snap, crackle, and pop” that we hear when waking up, bending over, etc. is not really indicative of some sort of “bone adjustment.” Actually, recent imaging was done on the cracking of knuckles that shows exactly what is taking place, and it has more to do with gas bubbles forming and popping in the synovial fluid that some sort of “bone adjustment.” So, I don’t think you can rely on the sounds of a treatment to determine what’s happening to either you or your horse.
But that is getting off-topic. Ultimately, I would avoid chiropractic care. Actually, I would avoid all three because I’m not interested in these therapies given the evidence (or lack thereof) in support of them. Rather, I would focus on rest, carrot stretches, saddle-fit, correct work, etc. to improve my horse’s condition.
I also recommend massage first, but be aware that it may not pick up on saddle fit. My gelding was kicking out for canter transitions and very one-sided. Masseuse picked up on him being super tight on his right side but nada on the back. She did say it may be the saddle was still a bad fit but only bothered him when it was on. Massage was one week, saddle fit was the following (previously scheduled). My saddle is a M, and he measured a very obvious wide and the saddle was the wrong shape for him. Meh.
Obviously in the horse world, it all depends on who you use/go to. There are plenty of bad massage therapists, chiros, and equine acupuncturists just like there are bad pro riders, trainers, etc.
Personally, having medical struggles for 10+ years and have tried all forms of therapy from chiropractor work (which messed me up more); acupuncture for 10 years from a L.Ac who taught at colleges in the Midwest and does traditional acupuncture, cupping, guasha, and electrostimulation; trigger point massage therapy (which flared my fibromyalgia to no end); and many clunkers of PTs until I found one who is an absolute genius (he and his twin have their Master’s and their younger brother has a Doctorate), the people you see make all the difference.
For horses, I don’t see the benefit of chiropractors. Massage therapy works wonders if you get the right person. I found a wonderful lady who is super experienced and also supplements her treatments with the PEMF device. The last lease horse I had, who turned out to be drugged, was sore on his ENTIRE left side, couldn’t turn or bend left, and jumped at the softest bristled rubber curry. He was also extremely head shy/sore, tight pectorals, hamstrings, ribs, and back. She couldn’t even touch him without him flinching, so she used the PEMF machine. He was so relaxed, his had was down, lip hanging, and he startled himself farting. She did wonders in one treatment. Horse still went back as he was unsafe to ride to due to drugs worn off.
Talking to my human acupuncturist, who has been teaching and practicing for 30+ years, he said that he did acupuncture on a horse. The meridians are extremely similar, though not identical to horses. Again, you have to have very qualified people.
The best way is to network and get recommendations, which is how I found my equine massage therapist.
FWIW…massage therapists (or human PT) and acupuncturists also know about minor chiropractic adjustments…at least the expert human ones I’ve come across
As others have mentioned, carrot stretches (which articles have been posted in “PH” mag, correct lateral/dressage foundation warm-up are also good things to get in to habit on a regular basis. Saddle fit I wouldn’t really be worried about as much.
