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How alarmed should I be by the chiro’s report on my horse?

Horse Care
#1

I acquired a new horse a couple months ago and we’ve had enough ups and downs to indicate to me that maybe he wasn’t quite as advertised. Initially I thought it was just that he was green for his age, but after consulting with 3 trainers, the verdict is he has some combination of physical and behavioral issues to work through. We started by assessing the physical factors—lameness eval, teeth float, and chiro.

The vet determined he wasn’t lame and his teeth were fine. The chiropractor had a much more negative report. Muscle wastage around the withers, scar tissue, blocked shoulders. The trainer is not comfortable riding the horse until those issues resolve. I wasn’t present, but the report made him sound like a rescue/abuse case (which was alarming to me because I bought him from a reputable program).

I have a lot of questions. It is obvious that something is going on with the horse, and I don’t fully trust the seller (I do believe they misrepresented him). But I have doubts about the trainer and chiro’s assessment too (Does he really have that much baggage? Is it reasonable to continue paying training board for a horse that isn’t cleared to ride?).

Obviously I want what is best for the horse. But I am concerned about the plan going forward. Is it unusual to have a horse pass a basic PPE, pass a lameness eval, but be declared unfit for riding by a chiropractor? The trainer is lunging and long-lining to help rebuild his top line, then the chiro will re-assess in a month. However, because the horse is not technically lame, it’s not clear how they’ll decide he’s rideable. And in the meantime, I’m still paying training board.

I’m wondering what my expectation should be. It’s possible the horse really is in bad shape, but if it’s a long timetable for recovery, I’d prefer to pull him out of training and rehab him someplace closer and cheaper.

#2

What behaviors prompted the concern in the first place?

1 Like
#3

Balking and running backwards. They had him going really well at the barn where I tried him, but the issues are pretty serious and showed up right away. It’s not out of left field to hear that something is physically wrong. But it is a little concerning to me to hear him described like a kill pen rescue. It means either I was really, really screwed in the sale, or I am being screwed now.

#4

I’m pretty skeptical by nature of chiros that aren’t also vets. I’d 100% be inclined for a second opinion.

Of course–you noted issues so you may actually be dealing with something-physical, training, or some combo. Get a second opinion and listen to the horse.

17 Likes
#5

The important question is, what behavior are you getting that makes the trainer not want to ride him?

Second question, what kind of trainer? There are trainers that are very good at schooling horses already going under saddle but choose not to do colt starting. There are other trainers who do colt starting and problem solving. Maybe you need another trainer.

Third, can we see a photo? Many horses that have been out of work have atrophied topline.

Fourth, what advice did chiro give to fix his problems? Usually they have advice.

Fifth you need to talk to your service providers and be there in person since because if your horse has issues you can’t rely on trainer

Edited to add: what about saddle fit?

3 Likes
#6

Absolutely saddle fit. And muscle atrophy from injury or some kind of illness? And also agree pics would be helpful. And knowing the chiro’s credentials. Are they a vet ?

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#7

Sore withers can be really painful. My one mare had a similar chiro assessment the first time, but hers was her neck. She asked if she had had an accident, because it was so stiff and full of scar tissue and tight muscles, my coach too thought something wasn’t right when I was riding her which prompted the appointment…

BUT, chiro, and massage which I did myself, and learning and practicing the mastersons method and using it daily fixed her entirely. Was never an issue and her neck is normal now.

1 Like
#8

I, too, am a big fan of the Masterson Method. I use it daily. There is a lot of good information posted above. My question is timing…how soon after the PPE did the problems begin? Did you pull blood during the PPE?

#9

Yes, the chiro said it looked like a history of hard work with a bad saddle fit and asymmetry that now makes my saddle a poor fit too. Which is sad for the horse and makes his behavior very fair. It makes me feel relieved I didn’t follow some of the advice I got in the early days that I had him. But I’m just curious what the outlook is and how long I should expect him to be sidelined from under saddle work. If it’s something that would benefit from regular ground work with the trainer and that can resolve fairly quickly, I won’t move him. But if it’s a long-term thing, I would rather take him out of the program, move him closer, and be able to work with him daily and learn to do it myself vs paying for full training far away.

2 Likes
#10

It started the first week, and no, I did not pull blood at the PPE. I kept it very basic, unfortunately.

#11

IME chiro reports can often sound scary, even in sound horses performing well. They note every little asymmetry even if they are within normal variation. And I have found some non-vet chiros overstep their knowledge and are alarmists (perhaps hoping for more "adjustments?)

Did the vet not notice muscle wastage or sensitivity from the saddle? I would probably opt for another opinion from a well respected vet or vet/chiro.

8 Likes
#12

Maybe I missed this, but have you had your saddle fitted to your horse? It may be worth having the saddle looked at by a professional, even if it just mean shimming for while until he recovers and rebuilds that topline.

1 Like
#13

Just based on the limited information you’ve given, I think you should do a couple of things.

One would be to get your vet back out and have a frank conversation with him or her about what the chiro told you. Get the vet’s assessment, and if the vet thinks that some of the chiro’s findings are on target, get the vet’s advice about what you might do next.

Second, get a saddle fitter out. Have the saddle fitter assess the fit of your saddle and make suggestions. Personally, I wouldn’t want to throw a lot of money right now on a new saddle, but you might be able to get a good quality used saddle that fits better than what you currently own (assuming that saddle fit is part of the issue). Side note: vets are often not knowledgeable about saddle fit, so you do want to have a separate consultation with a fitter.

Third, and probably after you’ve had both the vet and saddle fitter out, have a frank conversation with your trainer. How is the trainer planning to assess when the horse is rideable? What sorts of riding should you be doing on your own to help build the horse up? Be an advocate for both your horse and yourself as you talk to the trainer and don’t let any blanket assertions (made without specific evidence) put you off.

Good luck.

4 Likes
#14

If it started the first week, it certainly looks suspicious the behavior may have been covered up, at least to me. I’m sorry this is happening to you. I don’t imagine there is any point in calling the seller and talk about the problems you are having, is there? Lucky pony to have landed w you. If you decide to go the “do it yourself” route, there are a lot of good books and DVDs. Jim Masterson’s is one of my favorites, but I have several others I refer to as well. Hope this helps…best of luck!

1 Like
#15

Is your chiropractor a veterinarian?

How old is this horse?

What is the horse’s background and level of training?

What type of trainers were working with the horse?

You stated the vet did not find the horse lame, but did the vet mention the other issues that the chiropractor found?

Can we see a picture of the horse? Side views, front and rear.

1 Like
#16

Chiro reports are often scary sounding - but if there are physical issues leading to the very real (and bad) behavior the trainer is seeing - I’d expect a vet to see them too, and to help you come up with a plan to address them. That plan might include massage, chiro, and any number of other things. There are a very limited number of chiropractors I’d want driving the train on a rehab plan like this - and they are all also vets.

How thorough was the recent exam, and do you trust him/her when it comes to this kind of evaluation?

#17

In addition to the good advice above I’d suggest that you do not know if shoulder issues are the problem or symptom of problem elsewhere. Also the horse is unlikely to be symmetrical so look carefully at the angle and muscles of each side with horse stood up square. Also have a look at bone structure in each leg and at hoof trim. Unbalanced feet can cause problems further up especially if you have a high-low difference.

I would also suggest free longeing him both directions looking at the quality of his front leg movement. Is it symmetrical? Does he seem at all choppy or on the forehand? Will he give you a big working trot or more? What happens if you send him over trot poles, can he pick up and lengthen stride? Do you have sales video or trial ride video to compare?

Also try those forward leg stretches, does he have decent range of movement or does he fight you?

Also look at his pectoral muscles and check for girth galls.

The chiro is using chiro language. It doesn’t mean the horse has had a career ending injury.

It’s also possible he’s just not really broke to ride.

2 Likes
#18

You need an actual diagnosis to answer this.

I would either discuss the findings with your vet and/or get another vet opinion and mention shoulder/withers/atrophy.

An xray of the withers and spine could be useful.

Obviously I would stop riding in the saddle you have been using. What about bareback or a bareback pad? How does he respond?

#19

That alone makes me think saddle fit. Have you called the seller and tried to determine… anything? about what they were doing with him? Such as which saddle (brand and size) they were using, and any other pertinent details?

2 Likes
#20

Screams saddle fit issue, to me. If the issues really did show up right away, I’m inclined to think your saddle is pinching rather significantly, and several months of trying to train through pain has caused the scar tissue and muscle loss. Did you try him in their saddle or yours?
Or possibly, the barn you tried him at had him on pain killers.

4 Likes

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