Page 544 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse

Horses with chronic back pain often have cold areas with decreased blood flow rather than

inflamed ‘hot spots’.
VetBooks.ir SUMMARY

Diagnosing the cause of back pain can be difficult and is not always possible. There may be a

number of contributory factors. Because the investigative techniques can be expensive and
are not universally available, some form of treatment may be tried first, providing there are
no special concerns following a thorough clinical examination.

Treatment of back pain

MANAGEMENT CHANGES AND PHYSICAL THERAPIES

The first step is to identify and remove any obvious causes.

Management changes may include:
• alterations to the existing saddle or purchase of a new one

• modification of the horse’s training programme

• schooling for the horse and lessons for the rider

• turning the horse out

• feeding from the floor to encourage the horse to stretch its spine and separate the spinous
processes.

The treatment depends on the cause of the pain and its severity. The aim in every case is to

remove the pain so that the horse can continue to be exercised in a way that will restore
muscle function and strength and prevent muscle wasting.

In many cases, a horse will require a period of rest for acute injuries. This should be
combined with some form of physical and/or medical therapy so that normal function is

restored to the muscle as soon as possible

Possible treatments include the following.
• Physiotherapy, including the use of massage, heat, stretching, low intensity laser therapy,

ultrasound, magnetic field therapy, muscle stimulation etc.

• Acupuncture.
• Manipulation (osteopathy and chiropractic).

• A rehabilitation programme, which is an essential part of the treatment. The re-

introduction to exercise should be gradual and include a gentle warm-up. For some
horses, exercise may begin on the lunge or long reins without a saddle, then progress to