Dude Went to the Chiro today!!

I'm excited and encouraged by the chiropractor's assessment and treatment! Dr. B. is a vet and chiropractor. It turns out he also does acupuncture!

Dr. B. had me move Dude out and watched him move. I told Dr. B about Dude's cinchiness and Dr. B showed me exactly where his ribs were locked up and causing a muscle spasm on the off side. Dr. B worked on his opposite shoulder and leg and then showed me how the spasms stopped! This may be the answer to the saddling/girthing problems!! Dr. B adjusted Dude's whole spine and worked a lot on his pelvic and croup area. He found an injury, probably from a kick, on the back of Dude's hip. I had noticed a strange bulge there and wondered what it was - tell the truth, I thought it was cellulite. Then, Dr. B went and prepared the acupuncture treatment. Meanwhile, Dude had gotten a very relaxed look in his eye -- I think he had gotten some relief already! For the acupuncture, Dr. B used injections of Vita. B12 ; the site of the injection acts like an acupuncture needle while the injection is being absorbed. Dr. B told me to give Dude today and tomorrow off and then he'll probably be able to move much better for a few weeks -- maybe from now on - but may need to be readjusted next time Dr. B comes to town at the end of July. If Dude is anything like I am, he'll need periodic adjustments! I love my chiropractor.

For those with anatomy knowledge, here's what the report said: Chiropractic: Both carpus posterior, right 1st rib posterior, sacral apex right, pelvis decrease motion left - adjusted. Acupuncture: pelvic trigger point bilaterally, GB 27 point on right. Injury to R biceps - appears to be kick that cut muscle/fascia.

This Vet/Chiro flies in from Colorado! I'm just thrilled that I got to get him to see Dude and so soon after I had decided the behavior problems must be a pain issue. I regret that I didn't get this done sooner, but I never could find any listings for an Equine Chiro around here. Now and again I would think about calling the vet school or the race track and ask about it, but I ended up finding one through a member of this board - so yay for FHOTD!!! I mean, every damn article you read about training says to rule out pain as an issue first, but I would think, that Dude has been doing this for as long as anyone (Katherine, Mar) can remember. I feel like a bad horse mom!! But now I feel great for getting this done!! I also suspect that it will be awhile before he gets out of the habits he acquired from having the pain. I don't expect an overnight change, but I look forward to improvement!! I was afraid the Vet would say there was nothing wrong. I'm sorry Dude has had to suffer for so long, but I'm glad he's not "crazy" and "bad!"