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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 713
 
Location: PA | The back muscles on my mare are really tense and tight, so I was wondering what things would help to loosen them up. I thought I read that back on track sheets would help but I wanted some opinions.I know that getting her worked on would help but we cant get anyone to come out right now. |
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 The Bling Princess
Posts: 3411
 
Location: North Dakota | Tense back muscles can be a direct result of poor saddle fit, sore feet, sore stifles, sore hocks. So before I'd pour my money into blankets I'd start with finding out and treating the root cause of what is making that back tense. Just how I roll, however you do what you feel is necessary.
ETA: that being said...I LOVE my BOT blanket:)
Edited by WYOTurn-n-Burn 2013-12-31 12:36 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 713
Location: PA | WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2013-12-31 1:34 PM Tense back muscles can be a direct result of poor saddle fit, sore feet, sore stifles, sore hocks. So before I'd pour my money into blankets I'd start with finding out and treating the root cause of what is making that back tense. Just how I roll, however you do what you feel is necessary.
ETA: that being said...I LOVE my BOT blanket: )
Its my saddle... working on that! |
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I Will Not Keep Silent
Posts: 1922
Location: GA | I bought the back on track back pad and it does help. Put it on your horse when stalled and at rest. Also put it on them for an hour or so then do some back stretches on the horse. You can also take a tennis ball and roll it, stroke it over the back to loosen the tension. A powered massager even the Wal-Mart kind are of some use and if you buy the right one you can use a car buffer. Go with the muscle fibers. Start light and work deeper keeping an eye on your horse's expression so you know when deeper is allowed or not tolerated.
When I worked on outside horses this is some stuff I taught my clients. Hmmm it got to the point they needed me less. 
I posted a link for stretches as I couldn't begin to give you a decent visual.
Also if you now how to ride the long and low that will help. So will the neck stretches in the link.
http://www.bevet.com/files/backlegstretchespdf.pdf |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 713
Location: PA | *robin* - 2013-12-31 1:46 PM I bought the back on track back pad and it does help. Put it on your horse when stalled and at rest. Also put it on them for an hour or so then do some back stretches on the horse. You can also take a tennis ball and roll it, stroke it over the back to loosen the tension. A powered massager even the Wal-Mart kind are of some use and if you buy the right one you can use a car buffer. Go with the muscle fibers. Start light and work deeper keeping an eye on your horse's expression so you know when deeper is allowed or not tolerated. When I worked on outside horses this is some stuff I taught my clients. Hmmm it got to the point they needed me less. I posted a link for stretches as I couldn't begin to give you a decent visual. Also if you now how to ride the long and low that will help. So will the neck stretches in the link. http://www.bevet.com/files/backlegstretchespdf.pdf
Wow thankyou, that's very helpful and informative! |
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Blessed 
 
Location: Here | Zepridesitright - 2013-12-31 12:38 PM WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2013-12-31 1:34 PM Tense back muscles can be a direct result of poor saddle fit, sore feet, sore stifles, sore hocks. So before I'd pour my money into blankets I'd start with finding out and treating the root cause of what is making that back tense. Just how I roll, however you do what you feel is necessary.
ETA: that being said...I LOVE my BOT blanket: )
You need to spend the money on new saddle before trying to fix the problem
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 713
Location: PA | SG. - 2013-12-31 2:00 PM Zepridesitright - 2013-12-31 12:38 PM WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2013-12-31 1:34 PM Tense back muscles can be a direct result of poor saddle fit, sore feet, sore stifles, sore hocks. So before I'd pour my money into blankets I'd start with finding out and treating the root cause of what is making that back tense. Just how I roll, however you do what you feel is necessary.
ETA: that being said...I LOVE my BOT blanket: )
I was looking for ways to releive the tension now, buying a saddle isnt going to take the tension out of her back at this moment. I'm still trying to figure out what will fit her and to find one that is nice but affordable, so I can't get a new one for a little while now. I know the saddle will take away future pain but I wanted something to help her now. |
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Blessed
Location: Here | Zepridesitright - 2013-12-31 1:40 PM SG. - 2013-12-31 2:00 PM Zepridesitright - 2013-12-31 12:38 PM WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2013-12-31 1:34 PM Tense back muscles can be a direct result of poor saddle fit, sore feet, sore stifles, sore hocks. So before I'd pour my money into blankets I'd start with finding out and treating the root cause of what is making that back tense. Just how I roll, however you do what you feel is necessary.
ETA: that being said...I LOVE my BOT blanket: )
Okay. Just remember everytime you saddle her it will take away any therapeutic effects of any product
You would be surprised how quickly the back will become happy once you take away the problem
Just think of your feet being in terrible fitting shoes/boots. Then putting on a proper pair. At least my feet almost instantly feel better |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 713
Location: PA | SG. - 2013-12-31 3:09 PM Zepridesitright - 2013-12-31 1:40 PM SG. - 2013-12-31 2:00 PM Zepridesitright - 2013-12-31 12:38 PM WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2013-12-31 1:34 PM Tense back muscles can be a direct result of poor saddle fit, sore feet, sore stifles, sore hocks. So before I'd pour my money into blankets I'd start with finding out and treating the root cause of what is making that back tense. Just how I roll, however you do what you feel is necessary.
ETA: that being said...I LOVE my BOT blanket: )
You would be surprised how quickly the back will become happy once you take away the problem
Just think of your feet being in terrible fitting shoes/boots. Then putting on a proper pair. At least my feet almost instantly feel better
I know, I just want to do what I can for her  |
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 The Rose of Rodeo...
Posts: 2560
Location: Where we still run to look when the siren goes by. | SG. - 2013-12-31 1:09 PM Zepridesitright - 2013-12-31 1:40 PM SG. - 2013-12-31 2:00 PM Zepridesitright - 2013-12-31 12:38 PM WYOTurn-n-Burn - 2013-12-31 1:34 PM Tense back muscles can be a direct result of poor saddle fit, sore feet, sore stifles, sore hocks. So before I'd pour my money into blankets I'd start with finding out and treating the root cause of what is making that back tense. Just how I roll, however you do what you feel is necessary.
ETA: that being said...I LOVE my BOT blanket: )
You would be surprised how quickly the back will become happy once you take away the problem
Just think of your feet being in terrible fitting shoes/boots. Then putting on a proper pair. At least my feet almost instantly feel better
Ditto to SG. Anything you do now isn’t going to help unless you keep that saddle off the horse.. I had to take a loss on a really nice saddle and settle for a cheaper made one that really fit my horse.
It was the difference between him rounding and turning nicely and being a stiff as a board. Not what I wanted but it worked for him.
After I got a saddle that fit my horse I had to use muscle relaxers, massage, and mesotherapy to fix his back.
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I Will Not Keep Silent
Posts: 1922
Location: GA | I have to high five you for knowing what the problem is, and looking for ways to help and eventually plan on the fix. You would not believe how many people I have come across that refuse to believe saddle fit is ever an issue.
If you need any more help PM me and I will send you my email address. I have a great vet that is well versed in chiro, massage and acupuncture I can always pick her brain. I have a few suggestions on low cost supplements. Also I am schooled in acupressure if you would like some help there.
Best of luck to you.
ETA the supplements relax the tension and combat inflammation.
Edited by *robin* 2013-12-31 3:29 PM
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  Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
Location: Dubach, LA | Zepridesitright - 2013-12-31 12:18 PM The back muscles on my mare are really tense and tight, so I was wondering what things would help to loosen them up. I thought I read that back on track sheets would help but I wanted some opinions.I know that getting her worked on would help but we cant get anyone to come out right now.
Equine Sports Massage Therapist. |
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Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7622
Location: Dubach, LA | How do you know it's your saddle?
I have a lot of back problems, yet I can promise you it's not due to a poor fitting saddle. LOL. |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| I have a with fusing hocks buy did not have a correct diagnosis but continue to show my horse he got real sore in his back like a bad fitting saddle. Got him injected had to buy a biofit to get me through the last show. Just make sure he is not sore somewhere else.
Edited by daisycake123 2013-12-31 8:20 PM
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 Regular
Posts: 79
| Agree with CanCan. Find an Equine Massage Therapist and get those muscles loosened up and relieve her. Then I would be off to trying new saddles. :) |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 713
Location: PA | Thanks for the replies everyone! I'm pretty positive on the saddle, as it's probably 8-10 years old and the underside is worn and the tree putting alot of pressure on her back. As much as I'd like to go out and buy the best I can for her I can't with christmas just passing. I actually just remembered I have a certificate thing for getting your horse worked on, that I bought a while ago. |
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