I think Doc is crooked

Docked by the Bay · I think Doc is crooked

I think this is the place for this. I am beginning to think Doc is crooked. Have used a BM treeless on him so did not notice this dry back pattern at first. The treeless saddle was getting very uncomfortable for me, I felt like I was constantly having to fight to keep my legs from going back behind my seat. This did not happen on my old horse, have used the saddle for a long time and it was fine. After I noticed the discomfort on Doc, I borrowed a friend's Crates. It was great, went on a 3 hour trail ride with no pain. BUT, when I took the saddle off I noticed a big dry patch over his right shoulder. His left shoulder was not dry but did have a circle about 4 or 5 inches diameter with roughed up hair. So, I got to thinking again about the fact that he is more flexible to the right. And actually when I first got him I thought his face was not symmetrical, kept looking at him thinking I must be nuts, but the eq. dentist confirmed it due to a ridge I think she called it, his TMJ was not moving right. He is much better there now. So I began to read some stuff about crookedness, Dr. Deb is one source I read. She talked about a crooked horse leaning, I have looked and looked at him and I don't see that. Now this is the same horse that a vet/chiro said is posty, his hind legs are too straight. Sometimes I think they are sometimes I don't. I did read of some exercises to help his crookedness, have not ridden him since all this discovery due to lots of interuptions. Maybe this topic is covered here, I would appreciate direction if so. I did a search and tried to read what I could, but can get easily confused. Any advice?

Mandy'sMarty

I agree. This is a subject where one can easily get confused and overwhelmed. It's a matter of balance in the horse's body, including the feet and even among the 34 cranial bones. I suspect that many, if not most, domestic horses are not balanced and this contributes to various degrees of diagnosed and undiagnosed lameness issues.

My suggestion is to explore the free online YouTube videos produced by April Battles at HolisticHorseWorks. For example, start with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKEL-aHCDsE&feature=related . Check out her other free videos on YouTube. She demonstrates stretching exercises that can help release tightness/stress/spasms that contribute to imbalances. Her website features DVD's that offer more detailed instruction on resolving structural issues. She is also available for personal instruction and/or on-site work on your horse.

With practice, you can begin to 'see' imbalances. April's stretching exercises will help you receive immediate feedback from your horse so that you know where the imbalances are.

Be aware that horses will mirror our physical imbalances when we ride them. In order to achieve physical balance in your horse, you must first achieve physical balance in your own body. A well balanced horse can become chronically unbalanced by carrying a rider who has chronic imbalances in the hips, sacrum, lumbar area, etc.

My body has a tendency to be crooked in the hips and I have been diagnosed with degenerative issues in L3-L5. Remarkably, I believe that riding has helped my lower back tremendously. However, I must always check to be as balanced as possible to ensure that my mare doesn't acquire similar issues. It helps that I am now trained to resolve many of the issues that she may present as a result of imbalance.

April is my endurance mentor and has coached me extensively on this subject. She persuaded me to study personally with her teacher, Regan Golob.

PasoBaby_CarolU

Maggie,

If he has a rib out or stuck only a chiropractor can fix that. I'm not sure I like the sounds of your previous doc though. It should have been found and fixed then.

Once it is fixed there are many exercises for bending and suppling and building the back muscles on both sides. If you have an unevenness I suggest working the bad side more then the good side. Have your chiro help you design a workout plan that is best for him.

Clarissa

I know I'm harping on this one form of balance repair but check this website, Docked.

http://academicartofriding.com/

Marijke explains why horses get crooked & how to fix it. She supplies lots of free material to get you started & all is explained very clearly.

Docked by the Bay

Thanks for the information. I will study it and apply it, if I can understand it, which it seems pretty straight forward.

Carol: I don't think he has a rib out, I think he is crooked which I think he is more ribs out meaning he curves his whole mid section to the left. ???

Frankly I wasn't too crazy about the first vet/chiro either.