Re: [RC] Re:cramping while shoeing - Cynthia Eyler
My gelding has what sounds like a similar
problem.
It's never caused lameness, but when you lift
either of my gelding's hind legs, especially the way most farriers do it,
the leg starts to jerk uncontrollably. Various farriers and vets have told
me that it's involuntary. My current farrier has pretty much gotten around
the problem by not lifting those legs very high, which he's able
to do because he's a yoga practitioner and can hold what would be
an impossible position for most others.
I had massage done on this horse a few years ago,
but the subject of needing a chiro was never raised. (To be fair, I never
thought to tell the person doing the massage about this issue.)
How do I find the right massage/chiro to investigate this further?
Cindy
(in central Maryland)
----- Original Message -----
This is a
more commom problem than most people think. It sounds to me like this
horse has a spasm in his hindquarter muscles, which is made more painful
by being in the position required for shoeing. The horse may also
need a chiropractic adjustment in the pelvic region. I would try
finding a good equine massage therapist first, who could tell you whether
an adjustment is also necessary. If the horse does
get chiropractic work, it is important to also get a few sessions of
massage afterward or the tight muscles will just pull it out of alignment
again and you will be back to square one. I am a certified
equine bodyworker, and one of my project horses during my certification
had this very problem. The owner was buteing or giving banamine to
the horse every time it had to be shod until I worked on her and solved
the muscle spasm problem. In this case no chiro was needed.
Good Luck.
