Neck, Back Mobilization Help Treat Equine Back Pain

Research has shown that performing carrot stretches can strengthen the muscles that stabilize a horse’s back.
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Most equestrians have been subjected to some degree of neck or back pain and, thus, are familiar with the discomfort and difficulty that arise when carrying out even the easiest of tasks. Now imagine being expected to perform athletically with this discomfort.

According to Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS, the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Vice President of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, and equine physical therapist Narelle Stubbs, BAppSc (Phty), MAnimST (Animal Physiotherapy) of Animal Rehabilitation Institute in Loxahatchee ,Fla., back pain in horses is common, usually chronic, and is associated with lameness and decreased strength and activity of the back and core (abdominal) muscles.

"In humans, neck and back pain syndromes are associated with altered muscular patterns and reduced ability to control and stabilize the movements of the spinal column," explained Clayton. "Even after the pain goes away, the muscles do not recover their normal function, so the neck or back remains unstable and is predisposed to the development of further injuries."

In humans physical therapists prescribe specific exercises to help reactivate muscles to improve neck or back stability and mobility. According to Clayton and Stubbs, horses are similar to people in that the muscles stabilizing the joints between the vertebrae are inhibited by neck or back pain, and they do not resume their stabilizing function when the pain resolves

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Written by:

Stacey Oke, MSc, DVM, is a practicing veterinarian and freelance medical writer and editor. She is interested in both large and small animals, as well as complementary and alternative medicine. Since 2005, she’s worked as a research consultant for nutritional supplement companies, assisted physicians and veterinarians in publishing research articles and textbooks, and written for a number of educational magazines and websites.

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