What Do Wednesday: Bodywork

Another Wednesday, another episode of me asking my followers and readers for their input. I love it!

I actually have a weekend update, but I'm saving that for later this week. If you're a stalker you may have seen the videos on youtube already or the pics on FB, but for those who aren't, here's a sneak peak...

My two fav non-humans

Why yes that is my rather insane horsebeast standing still OUTSIDE on a freezing cold (8*) day in which I decided fuck the temperature, my horse hasn't seen the sun in two weeks (literally) and it was very sunny outside, albeit cold as fuck. It was fun actually and he was mostly well behaved for a cooped up red nugget. More on that later.

What I am really here to talk about is bodywork.

Specifically equine massage, but I am also curious about chiropractic care as well.

I will FULLY admit, I have gone many years thinking chiro and massage is complete hokum and avoided both like the plague when the old ladies at my barn scheduled a visit from one of the voodoo magic wizards. Not to mention, each treatment was a solid $100+ and I simply could NOT justify spending that much money on something I was not familiar with that required repeated visits. In my mind, how good could something be if you had to do it every 2-4 weeks and costed an arm and a leg?

Totally close minded- I know, but I still was just like NO. This is dumb, no.

I knew it would be *beneficial* but to WHAT extent? Did it immediately relieve pain, but not keep it away? Would I have to keep paying hundreds of dollars on top of everything else I paid for, every month? Would there be long term benefits? I simply didn't know and was not willing to bet on it.

I know I know how dare I, what a horrible horse mom, chiro/massage is THEE BEST, I am depriving my horse(s) of the BEST care possible, they're athletes too etc etc etc

I've heard it all before. But excuse me for not having unlimited amounts of income to dump in my precious ponies, Judgey McJudgerson's.

However, after years of balking at the idea, my mind has been changed.

I give all credit to Amy, who worked her magic on my broken body with the art of massage. I LITERALLY felt relief instantly and the benefit of that session has (mostly) stayed with me for weeks. I could use a tune-up, but my massive pain is obliterated and all it took was 3 little pressure points that she found with her magic voodoo hands.

Lately, as in the last month or so, Bacardi has shown the smallest hints of NQR-ness on occasion. Its nothing to completely lose my shit over, but its concerning nonetheless.

Specifically, on the lunge line tracking left, it looks like it is physically impossible for him to bend comfortably. He canters with his hind end on the inside of the circle while his head, neck and chest lean outwards. Its...unique. 

I thought at first it was from him playing hardcore outside and maybe slipping in the pasture and having tweaked it. But then it stuck around a few more weeks. However when riding him, the inability to all of a sudden not bend left easily is evident, especially at the canter. *I* personally feel it in his hips...but who knows really where it is. It could be his hips, back, neck, shoulders, hocks, ankle...who the fuck knows with horses. 

Things I wish horses could do when injured/NQR

Again, not to saying this is like life ending shit, just feels slightly off. Of course I am worried, because he is my special, very injury prone child, who has made leaps and bounds in every department,...but also because I know when I hurt, I am a grumpy bitch.

This lead me to thinking really deeply, reevaluating a few things. My saddle is not perfect, this I know. But I have taken every step I can afford to make it right. Hopefully Baby Jesus saddle will fit him perfectly and be the big key to ultimate comfort. I also have taken steps to make sure his nutrition is on point, his feet are cared for, we stretch before and after rides, our tack fits well and I even use BOT products religiously (other hokum I used to believe was just completely worthless) This all seems to help. But when the temps are this low, I know I feel creaky and old, I am not surprised the NQR is cropping up here and there.

But maybe this is our key to success...

Thank you DJ Khaled

...Shelling out lots of money in massage and chiro.

Joking aside, I am willing to spend some money exploring this to see if my assumptions are correct. 

In the meantime, I have taken to lightly massaging his neck  after each ride, where he seems to carry most of his stress & B has responded to it in a way that only supports my line of thinking. I am no professional, but Bangor and I learned a little from Crossfit in regards to self massage and what helps assuage sore muscles and I applied that to B.

He REALLY responded positively 

Quite evident that he enjoyed whatever it was that I was doing to him (fancy fancy terms I don't know), so I did what every horsewoman does, ASKED MY FRIENDS.

I eventually was connected with an equine massage therapist, who doubles as a farrier, in our area that I would have never found without asking around! 

We had a lovely chat and she is scheduled to come out next week and work on my red pony. She is extremely affordable and takes as much time as needed to address any issues she finds, and gives you tips on what to do between sessions. At $50/session...I can deal.

So dear readers, here's where you come in....in regards to body work, what do? Do you believe in it? Do you not? Why? How often do you/your horse get it done? Feed me your secrets!