(side note, how awesome has the Olympics been this time around? XC was crazy! I was so excited for Michael Jung and Sam though, and Phillip for nabbing the bronze! Dressage has been so exciting too!)
Penn hadn't seen the chiropractor in 7 weeks, and it kind of showed. He had a lot more tension than usual. The vet immediately asked what we've been doing because he was out everywhere. The right hip was down, left was up. The sternum area was twisted- towards the front of the chest was twisted right, the area under the girth was twisted left. Hopefully this clears up some of Penn's girth issues. Neck was stiff too, but the poll was good.
Penn really enjoyed having his poll worked on- he just kind of got a sleepy eye and droopy bottom lip. I wish I would have thought to get a pic of it!
The more important thing: the vet gave me a couple exercises to help him out between visits.
Crunches:
These came with a disclaimer to not do them more the a couple times a week, and for no longer than 20-30 seconds... which is kind of longer than I'd have him hold it, but I'm glad I have a time reference. Basically, you tickle both sides of the haunches on the X I've marked in the below picture. This makes the horse tuck his hindquarters, lift his back, and work the abs (like when you surprise them with cold water on their bum). This is good for horses who seem to have trouble in the SI area (like Penn). It builds the muscle gently, but if done too often will make the horse sore. So less is more approach here. Also, if you try this, be careful, tickling that spot on the haunches might surprise the horse and make him kick at you or run forward. On sensitive horses like Penn, fingers are enough to get the desired response, but less sensitive horses may need something pokey like a hoof pick.
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| I've tried numerous times and I can't seem to tickle him like the vet did. I'll have to have her show me again, then watch me do it and correct me! I scratched him all over his bum, all he did was look confused, lol! |
Sternum Lifts:
Same idea as the crunches, but single hand and right under where the girth goes.
Modified Carrot Stretches:
The vet/chiropractor does not like regular carrot stretches. She finds that the horses get anticipatory about food and end up doing jerky, twisted motions instead of smooth, correct motions. The head needs to stay perpendicular to the ground, and the stretch needs to be smooth an consistent. She showed me how she does them: Stand with your back to the horse's neck, grab one hand on each side of the halter, and slowly encourage the horse to wrap his head and neck around you, back to the shoulder. Don't pull him into it, but ease him into it.
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| Saturday and Sunday, I was at the barn riding at 7am because it was so flipping hot and humid this weekend. At least I rode before the sun was on the arena. I really liked riding before barn work, so I think I'll keep up with it for the rest of summer. |
We had some nice rides after- the canter is a lot more comfortable for him. We had some especially nice transitions from lengthening canter to working canter when I did test practice last Sunday.
Next up, lesson from Tuesday 8/16!
I've done the bum tuck one with Stinker, and when it was demonstrated for me it was up higher. More by the top left corner of the X. And despite Stinker's typically sensitive nature, I have to scratch fairly hard to get the tuck. And I will have to try the non carrot stretches, because I now have a gator for those and he gets all twisty so I have basically stopped doing them.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try that! She originally pointed more towards being level with the point of his hip, but then kind of moved down. When she showed me, it took almost no pressure to make him do it... yet I still missed exactly where to tickle! I definitely don't get the stretch back to the hip that I used to when I used carrots, but he is staying more vertical and consistent.
DeleteAlways nice when they give you something helpful to do in between visits!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is!
DeleteI can show you an alternative way to do the bum tuck that works every time. The tickling method never worked for Fiction. Basically you press into the butt on either side of the tail and run your fingers down. Elicits the same response.
ReplyDeleteDr. Brown also showed me this method of doing it, so I didn't just come up with it haha :)
DeleteHaha, she said he's one of the easier horses to get to do it, so I'm pretty sure I just suck at finding the right spot since I've never done them. I'll have to try the other method too!
DeleteThe spot that I scratch for the bum tuck is way up higher, and by his tail. I find it's a different spot for every horse... you definitely have to poke them a while to find the right one!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm excited to get out to the barn to poke his butt! The vet was reaching quite a ways around him, so that's what lead me to believe it was so far forward, and low. I'll have to do a follow up!
DeleteVery interesting! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDelete