Keeper and the Chiropractor

Today we took Keeper to a Chiropractor. Keeper has been taking it easy for about 6 weeks or so since the trip to the mountains where our attempt to put 2 pairs of horses together went wrong and she hurt something. At first I hoped it was just a bruised sole or perhaps an abscess as there were lots of opportunities to bruise something on the stumps and roots and rocks and trees – not that she had to use that stage to demonstrate her eligibility to be on “So You Think You Can Dance”.

I had son Todd, who is a vet look at her when he was down for the family wedding – poor guy, he would probably like a day off too – and he thought the problem was not in her feet or legs. The farrier agreed. They think the problem seems to be in her shoulder or back. Her stride is shorter. She kind of stubs her toes, stumbles a bit. Doesn’t play with the other horses any more, doesn’t run and play when let into a new paddock. Is much worse as soon as I saddle and ride her. Jumped on her bareback just to see if she was improving last week and she made it clear that I was getting off soon. That is not typical of Keeper.

Some of you may know Dr. Cheryl Coates in Red Deer. When I met her she was practicing Chiropractic on people but she has always had a passion to help animals and took the American Veterinary Chiropractic Course in her search for more knowledge about chiropractic work for animals. She rides dressage horses and her understanding of movement and the changes in it far exceeds mine.

I didn’t really know what to expect but Cheryl didn’t use any blocks or mallets and did all the adjusting with her hands. When she mentioned how tight Keeper is over the back I noted that I had noticed that myself. She gave me some exercises and suggestions on how to help relax the muscles in that area and said that she would like to see her again next week.

When we got back home and I turned her into the paddock she whinnied and jogged out to the old silage pit area where she and her friends are grazing right now. Which reminds me that I also got advised that she is a bit fat. It is so hard to keep them the right weight when you aren’t even good at doing it for yourself. But I can’t bring her straight off the trailer and put her in the Jenny Craig pen right?

I once admitted to Cheryl that I didn’t believe in Chiropractors but that Dave had convinced me to give them a try. I couldn’t ride then from an injury from a car accident (I was 30). After a few treatments by her and her husband Dr. Dave I was back riding and am still riding. I’m 39 now. LOL.

I am really hoping that this sweet mare that I am so enjoying can be made sound for me to ride again. She hasn’t improved in 6 weeks of just lazing about. She got a treatment today. I will do the exercises. We will go back next week. I would be very interested to hear of any of your experiences with horses who have injuries “higher up”.

Cheryl just phoned and made an appointment for Keeper to have a massage before her treatment next week. Hot rocks? A little scented oil? Relaxing music? She just had a pedicure last week. Wait a minute…

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