Back Care spinoff

[Jay-N-Jete']

Reading the thread about the horse with the sore back - a lot of people recommended the magnetic or electric blankets, as well as muscle relaxers.

My mare came to me with an AWFUL back.
Very "out" chiropractically, with a lot of spasm.


With regular chiro, her back is getting better and better.
Holding the adjustments and less places to adjust, spasm is now mostly limited to the right side, behind the saddle.

I also do maintenance massage to loosen/ease spasm BEFORE each ride.
Also do major massage AFTER each ride, which seems to be helping a LOT.

Saddle fitter is coming next week to check fit, just to be sure b/c mare is very compact/short-backed and I want to be sure this is not contributing (though she's doing lovely work and is always less sore after a nice ride)

I would LOVE to use the electric or magnetic blanket (my instructor thinks they're totally worth it.)

Problem is - I have a pacemaker - so no can do electric OR magnets, can't even be near them.



Any ideas for what I can use to help my mare??

I know someone mentioned heat - I wonder if a heating pad (or 2) for 15 min before the ride would help?

I DO keep her more warmly blanketed than the others and also keep her in, if she's going to get wet/chilled. Keeping her from getting chilled/tightening up back does seem to help.

[Dad Said Not To]

I use a heating pad on my horse's back (he has kissing spines) in the winter for about 15-20 minutes before every ride. It seems to help decrease the length of time that he's hollow before he starts relaxing and stretching.

[murphyluv]

Back on Track- can't say it enough. Wonderful product. They make sheets to put over the horse, smaller back pads, as well as saddle pads.
I'm pretty sure there's a thread on it somewhere that explains what it does. It's ceramic.. reflects bodyheat.