Any experiences with chiropractors?

[bubbleymummy]

How have I only just discovered this section?! I've been on Mumsnet for years now....

I have a 10 yo chestnut tb gelding that I've had for a year. Currently having problems with him and I need somewhere to vent/scream/sob etc

Basically he may have to be retired. It has just been one problem after another all year - feet/back and now hind legs. He is very stiff behind and he just doesn't want to move forward in trot or canter. Even his walk is sluggish. The vet will be seeing him again in a couple of weeks and I'll hopefully find out what is wrong and whether or not it's fixable. In the meantime a chiropractor is coming to see him on Sat - has anyone had any good/bad experiences?

I have used an osteopath (similar to chiropractor I guess!) and had very good results.

The first time I did it, it was more of a "oh it's what you do, dentist & osteopath twice a year" and she told me that my mare's pelvis was slightly crooked. She did some manipulations and there was a big difference.

About 4 years ago I went to the field to check one day and she was very stiff and could barely move her back legs. I got the same osteopath out and she did some more manipulations.

I've recently had her out because of "mystery lameness" and was happy with what she pinpointed.

I use her because although I trust (some) farriers with feet and vets with drugs & x-rays - I like the way that the equine osteopath knows the muscles/skeleton inside out. She can always pinpoint the source of lameness and rather than firing tendons she'll find a more natural way.

I'm sorry, I'm not explaining myself very well - but yes, I'm very happy with her work and unless it's gushing blood I call her before the vet if it's a leg problem!

Make sure the chiropractor is properly trained - they should have degree level qualifications as a human chiropractor before they can go on to be an equine one.

I have had good experiences too and the yard where I'm currently riding out regularly calls the back guy out to sort stiffness.

A good, basic way of telling if your horse has a back problem is the way it carries it's tail. Tails should swing freely and end should flick up from side to side in trot. Tails held to one side or other can indicate back problems.

Can you see where the lameness is coming from when he is walking around the field? Is he on a joint supplement or cod liver oil?

Arg, 3rd para should read 'the end of the tail should flick from side to side in trot'.

the op made no sense at all, until I realized I have fallen into the tack room.

ahem.

gets coat.

We were sceptical until one of out ponies came unsound behind but the vet couldn't do anything about it.

Living near Newmarket we spoke to a chiropractor who works for most of the big racing yards and she came out to his field.

After one trot up she felt near his withers and he almost collapsed in pain (something the vet hadn't done).

She gave him 5 mins of manipulation and some ultrasound therapy and since then we've never had a moments problem.

I had tb mare ex racer loads of problems with her ,just uncomfortable in her way of going ,took 6 mths to diagnose wear in hocks ,passed flexion tests etc ,but sore backs can come from sore hocks{as im sure you know }and sore withers from sore front feet .Have you got typical tb feet ,does ur farrier struggle to shoe him.Do his feet look the right shape improper foot balance can lead to allsorts of consequences as horse tries to escape from pain.Has he been xrayed/scintigraphy are you insured ,if so get all the tests done for correct diagnosis,be quite assertive or vets can piss about .Anyway my mare got tildren infusion ,changed her life and was working well at prelim level when she moved on this summer to a lovely new home with more ex racers ,girls just wanting to hack and happy with her history she is a fab little horse and changed from grumpy to happy after the drug ,doesnt work for all but did for her.People at formula 4 feet will look at photos of your horses feet and give advice if you like ,dead tricky to comment on a farriers work but horses feet completely changed when i changed my farrier .

Just realised i hadnt answered ur question LOL,Ive used back people in the past always through recommendation.Just check there isnt a secondary issues leading to back trouble ie feet ,hocks etc .

Wow. Thanks for all the replies. I'm glad that people have had positive experiences - it's given me a bit of hope! Patience, it's funny that you mentioned hocks because the Vet did actually say that she suspected that is where the problem might be - she thinks they are too straight to absorb shock properly and this could be what is making him sore - general wear and tear...I'll keep you posted! Thank you! :)