Page 614 - The Veterinary Care of the Horse
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Figure 14.6 Some horses become profoundly relaxed and sleepy. This racehorse is not sedated
The treatment of trigger points and chronic back pain can be uncomfortable and while
many horses will stoically stand for the treatment, a small number may need a little sedation
and analgesia for effective treatment to be given. The safety of the horse, its handler and the
vet are of paramount importance.
How many treatments will the horse require?
With musculosketetal problems, the number of treatments is variable, depending on the
severity of the symptoms and how long the horse has been experiencing the pain. Acute
injuries may only require one or two treatments. Realistically, a horse that has been
experiencing back pain for months or years is likely to need four or five treatments at weekly
intervals to start with, followed by a couple more at fortnightly intervals.
It is important to be realistic in one’s expectations. When the problem has developed
