Equine Rehabilitation
Equine rehabilitation involves the use of core exercises, mobilization techniques, massage, structural balancing and other physical therapy techniques and modalities to facilitate the return to athletic function of a horse that has suffered an injury or debilitating illness.
At a time when finding a sound competitive equine athlete-partner is difficult, time consuming, and costly, attitudes toward rehabilitating beloved and accomplished horses are changing. Improvements in research regarding equine sports injury and new technologies to assist in rehabilitation are fueling interest as well. Although rehabilitating injured horses has had questionable success in the past, the future is looking ever better. A well-developed and systematically-followed rehabilitation plan can return injured horses to work and competition, sometimes at even higher levels than pre-injury.
Rehabilitation is a passion at The Right Touch. If your horse has had a career-threatening injury, or is not performing at previous levels, or just has an attitude problem that may be attributable to physical issues, let Th Right Touch help. I have had success with kissing spine, "head shyness," weak hind ends, and many other issues. I utilize collaboration with your veterinarian, farrier, dentist, and chiropractor to develop the most effective treatment plan possible and oversee and assist the implementation of that plan.
Aly
Aly came to us with a fractured displaced healed pelvis. It looked like her hamstrings had been pulled off her left ischium. We have been using massage, rehab techniques, kinesiotaping, and cupping to try to, break up scar tissue and increase comfort for this amazing mare. While returning to athleticism was not an option, we were able to improve her comfort level and soundness. She was able to enjoy trail rides with her owner.
In addition to the crippling ischium issue, her scapulae were asymmetric and essentially immobile. Her pelvis was also dramatically asymmetric. Using structural balancing techniques, the shoulders are staying very close to symmetric and are moving more freely. The pelvis, when treated, becomes nearly symmetric, but becomes asymmetric within a week. It is our belief and hope that the pelvis will begin to stay more symmetric as the muscle returns to it's home, covering the ischium, and scar tissue is minimized.
This horse is being cared for at Liberty Farm, where she is gaining weight and health. The staff there is assisting in the day to day rehab exercises and massage. We will keep you updated on her progress!
This is a current cases. We are 6 weeks in. I will try to show progress through