Yesterday, I took Beau into the 4th year Veterinary Physiotherapy students' practical session so that he could be assessed. Being quite a tense horse and not having a correct 'way of going' when ridden yet I was expecting Beau to have some tension along his neck and back.
It was very interesting to listen to their assessments and also good experience for me to watch and learn, being a 3rd year Veterinary Physiotherapy student myself. The main findings of the session was moderate pain and spasms along his whole back particularly behind the saddle where there were large 'nodules' felt. We therefore have a saddle fitter coming out to check the fit of his saddle is correct as this may be causing/worsening his back tension. He also had some pain around his gluteal muscles and hypertonicity in his triceps and pectoral muscles. As a treatment he had some massage to his neck and back and laser around the hard 'nodules' on his back.
Until his session next week and until the saddle fitter has sorted his saddle, I am taking it steady with him, staying in walk and trot and focusing on lunging and riding in a long, low frame in order to help to stretch out and relax his back and neck muscles. The photo above is a Pulsed Electromagnetic Therapy rug that we are using at the moment to help relieve his back pain.