The following case studies describe horses, pre-massage evaluations, massage and findings. Owners agreed to have this information including images published to this website.
Horse Name/ Age |
Cody, 16 |
Owner |
Stefani R. |
Gender |
Gelding |
Color/breed |
bay/paint |
location |
CdrHls, Wisconsin |
Date |
7/29/08 |
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HORSE HISTORY and Owner/handler states re precondition:: The 16 year old gelding was formerly a rescue horse due to bucking problems (2006). These bucking problems were suspected to be due to pain related issues and gymnasticizing and switching to a different saddle/riding style eased the discomfort so that the bucking did not reoccur. The horse has arthritis in the hocks and receives injections. Cody still has discomfort in the small of the back (twitches during grooming/saddling), moves stiffly and dislikes going downhill. When lunged, Cody is hesitant to pick up the right lead and 'runs in' when lunged on the right.
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Massage I of II (08/06/08)
| Left Side |
Right Side |
| Horses condition/sensitivities/issues found during massage: |
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MASSAGE NOTES |
(L=light, M=Medium, H=High) |
Atlas/Poll: The horse is very sensitive behind the poll and found it hard to relax into the massage, but eventually released nicely. Hard and lumpy muscle around the Atlas.
Neck: Cody has a hard time bending to the left. He is stiff, especially in the middle section of his neck and tries to avoid bending by bringing is head around. Nice releases.
Shoulder: Was able to nicely relax and drop his shoulder. No noticeable stiffness.
Front leg: no noticeable stiffness or impaired movement, stretches nicely in all directions.
Girthline: light sensitivity/flinching
Whithers: Cody enjoyed having his withers wiggled and showed some signs of release
Back: Severe sensitivity in small of back. When rocking spine he did not feel comfortable when ribs where used as 'levers' (last ribs).
Sacroiliac: No noticeable sensitivity in the sacroiliac region
Hip: Any movement asked during the body work with his left hind, engaging the left hip was stiff. He drops his hip nicely, however, when reflex is used, but resists any movements with his hind leg.
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Atlas/Poll: Cody is very sensitive behind the poll, as on the left side, but relaxed nicely after a while and released quite a bit. Hard, lumpy muscle around Atlas.
Neck: Almost mirroring the left side, the neck is stiff, especially around the middle (flat). Nice releases.
Shoulder: The right shoulder is a bit tighter than the left, but all in all nice releases, drops shoulder nicely, able to loosely wiggle shoulderblade via leg.
Front leg: A bit stiffer in moving out in all directions, but generally good releases and good flexibility.
Girthline: same as left, light sensitivity
Withers: same as left, enjoyed, released
Back: Here the same sensitivity in the small of the back, flinching, dipping back when manipulated. When rocking spine he was a bit more relaxed than on left side.
Sacroiliac: no noticeable sensitivities
Hip: Same as on left side, stiff and even less cooperative to pick up the leg and do the required body work, move leg out to front or back. Possibly due to more severe pain in left hock there was a lot of resistance. Dropped hip nicely though, when he was relaxed.
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Summary: The stiffness in the neck and hips is very noticable and clearly two key sections that produce discomfort. . His midsection, even though he nicely relaxed during the rocking (with exception of the last ribs), seems like a 'log'. His stiffness in movement seems to be an effort to try and avoid pain from different sources. The horses conformation - large withers, dipped long back, low set neck - in combination with the arthritic hocks could be the cause for his discomfort. Cody showed some nice releases and was cooperative.
Recommendation: Continue with massages/body work at least once a month to avoid muscle soreness and tension that is created during unnatural body movement Cody exhibits to avoid pain. . Exercise the horse in the trot at least 3 times/week for 20 minutes in a structured and gymnasticizing fashion (trot over poles etc).
Please Note: Equine Massage is NEVER a substitute for proper veterinary care. If in doubt about the physical condition of your horse, please consult your vet.
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