Tell-tale signs that your horse would benefit from treatment.

Communicating back pain

Horses will communicate back pain in a number of ways, the most common symptoms are:

• Change in performance ability
• Change in behaviour
• Resistance to tacking up/grooming/rugging up
• One sided when ridden, prefers one canter lead, struggles to bend on one rein
• Struggling to move off the leg
• Rider suffering from pain/stiffness and back pain after riding
• Toe dragging
• Grunting and moaning when ridden
• Bucking

These are the most common signs of a problem - BUT all our horse's like us are individuals. YOU know your horse better than anyone - so if your instinct tells you something just doesn't feel right -  book a consultation with Dani.

Accidents will happen and even long-term problems are quite often beyond our control, and although sometimes we can't always change the cause we can control the symptoms through correct management.

Common causes of musculoskeletal injuries

The most common causes of injuries are:

• Slip or fall when ridden or in the field.
• Getting cast in the stable
• Pulling back on headcollars when tied up
• Poor foot balance
• Tight bridles and saddles
• The ageing process
• Insufficient warm up or cool down during exercise.
• Poor dental care
• Psychological stress
• Over exertion during competition
• Trailor or lorry accident
• Following recovery of a lameness
• Arthritic conditions