Talk to me about “extra” care for your horse (massage/chiro/PEMF)

[Renn_aissance]

@Pico_Banana

I have a great massage therapist. She focuses on the fascia, so it looks like she’s not doing much, but both of my horses’ backs are higher when she leaves compared to when she arrives.

We were just talking about equine MFR on another thread recently. Where did you find your massage therapist and were you looking for this as a modality or did you find massage first, and then MFR?

@LCDR

My main reason is just so the vet sees my horses regularly, gets to know them, and may spot something while doing the treatments that I may have overlooked.

I think this is a really great point about the benefits of having someone else do your body work… someone to see what you’ve gotten barn blind to.

My horse gets lab work twice a year, so at those visits I have the vet do a standard physical as well, and that’s our way of getting extra eyes and hands on him. At this point my horse is a retiree, so while he may have whatever he wants for the rest of his life, he also- fortunately- sees the vet less often than he used to when we consulted her on the best way to keep his body in optimal shape to support an athletic career. When he was competing he’d have more frequent appointments for things like managing arthritic changes and so she’d have her hands on him more regularly.

Another thing that’s worth spending your money on- a saddle that really fits your horse. I always like to think of who I can pay instead of the vet. You’re going to spend the money either way, so you can pay the farrier or you can pay the vet. You can pay the saddle fitter or you can pay the vet. Etc. I swear I want my vet to live comfortably and have a good life… I just want to pay her for planned appointments, not the other kind!

[Kyrabee]

Thank you. Equine therapy is da’ bomb. It is weird that I don’t have to do a short ride, throw her back in her stall and rush home. I was getting to the point that I was going to have to hire a sitter at least a couple times per week but I didn’t have to .

Kyra is fabulous…so happy to see me (if she isn’t asleep and snoring ). Be sure the sound is on.

IMG_3710

[TWH_Girl]

This is an awesome video! maybe she needs a cpap machine?! lol that’s some good snoring!

[joiedevie99]

Excellent farrier every 4-5 weeks. Teeth checked twice a year. Lameness exam and bloodwork twice a year. Any injections, treatments dictated by those exams gets done. Loading doses of Adequan twice a year. Gut health/ulcer maintenance per horse needs. Saddle fitter as needed. PEMF every other week for the upper level horses and as needed for others. Bodywork every other month. At least two 1 week+ vacations per year.

[ATXmom]

Very sorry to hear about the loss of your mom

[Kyrabee]

Thank you.

[Pico_Banana]

I lucked into finding my therapist-asked around for some recommendations and for someone who can do more than traditional massage. Found one who can do both traditional and MFR. So she evaluates the horses before she starts working on them and gives them what they need.

I know when I get a massage I need MFR for it to be worthwhile so I assumed it was probably the same for the horses and it was.

[shadesofbay3]

Thanks all
Just so I can brag about my boy - here he is:

[Lunabear1988]

What a sweet face!! I know he will be very loved and spoiled. Enjoy him

[Renn_aissance]

He is darling! But there is extra care no one has mentioned… buying stock in QuikSilver so you can keep him so shimmering silver, as opposed to whatever color he decided he wanted to be today!

[Kyrabee]

Beautiful shadesofbay3.

As mine has been neglected, this is her usual.

But in cleaner times.

The joys of grays

[lorilu]

CHiro/Acupuncture, PEMF, and occasionally an equine body worker who is amazing.
And I have a small vibrating massager I use, and I use a Posture Prep groomer.

[LookinForSpace]

@Kyrabee

The joys of grays

She. Is. STUNNING @Kyrabee! Lovely arched neck, beautiful profile, wonderful, soft, dark, kind eye. LOVE this photo!

Was that video of her snoring? With the lip twitch! LOL Even the most gorgeous of creatures may have their moments!

[Kyrabee]

Yes…it was earlier in the summer and the flies were tickling her lips. I had no idea she snored until I moved her to this barn 3 years ago. Everyone gets a kick out of it (except maybe the resident of the apartment over the barn).

That photo was from a day she was turned out next to the BO’s mare and new born foal. For about 3 weeks she was sure the foal was an bonafide alien. She would get all worked up even if I was leading her. Then one day, the foal was ok with her and she was her normal polite self again.