What is it that we are really seeing and feeling in our horse’s bodies?
Is a bulge in the neck really just “out” or temporarily misaligned? Is it a muscle that is overdeveloped, or stuck in contraction? Or, are the bones actually in bigger trouble than we might think?
In becoming aware of what we are really feeling underneath the skin, we can make informed decisions about how to manage the problem.
Sometimes, that means seeking the help of an experienced veterinary chiropractor to help restore normal range of motion.
Sometimes, that means having radiographs taken to determine whether there is a fracture, or significant bony changes occurring, and implementing appropriate veterinary treatment strategies.
Sometimes, it IS just a temporary kink in the neck caused by muscle spasm, and we need to address the training problem or body imbalance that might be causing it, while releasing the affected area with appropriate soft tissue therapy modalities.
Sometimes, it is a combination of these.
And sometimes, it is the result of a problem out of our control, that we can try to support palliatively with dietary supplementation, medication, and/or maintenance massage to keep the horse as comfortable as possible while trying to slow down degenerative changes.
But if you jump to conclusions without considering all these possibilities, you’ll never know.
What really lies beneath?
The only ones who can answer that question properly are the horses who end up on the dissection table.
Disabled and doubly neurodivergent human, former equine anatomist and bodyworker (no longer practicing due to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome complications), experienced equine advocate and educator, and budding disability advocate turning my sights on Australian Government policy and practice while elevating lived experience in research for horses and humans alike.
This blog is currently inactive but I occasionally check in on Facebook. Please check out the articles I keep it alive for and take something home to your horse ❤️