Animal Focus - Elijah's Story
Elijah is a 13 year old Thoroughbred gelding who I was asked to see in 2007.
He had previously been a racehorse and won a total fund of £26,000 according to
the racing post website.
I was asked to see him following an arthroscopy in
September for a tear in the medial meniscus of the LH stifle joint which had been
sustained in the field. His owner reported that he also had a history of spavin
in the RH, previous back pain and thin soles in the forelimbs. The vet had
prescribed Danilon to be used long term, and the owners goals for this horse were
that he should be paddock sound but otherwise retired.
When I saw him in October he was 4/10 lame at trot in the LH, and was on 20 minutes
walking in hand exercise twice a day. Treatment at this point involved soft
tissue massage techniques being used to the left Lumbar Longissimus area where there
was felt to be severe spasm. I also used croup reflex stretches for the Lumbar
spine area.
When I next saw the horse 1 week later he had worsened, and the owner felt that
this was partly due to the surface she was walking him on in the school being quite uneven. At trot he now appeared 2/10 lame in the LH, and 3/10 lame in the
RH. On palpation the muscle spasm in the left Lumbar area was still severe,
and I started Ultrasound therapy on the trigger points present. The owner
also discontinued the walking exercise in the school, and instead chose to use concrete
and grass surfaces.
I then continued to review Elijah every 1 - 2 weeks, and he is now (in January 2008)
only 1/10 lame in the LH, with no lameness in the RH. He is able to be turned out
into a paddock and the vet is now hopeful that he can return to ridden work.
Testimonial from the owner:
"Following Elijah’s surgery my vet felt optimistic that he would eventually be able
to be turned away and retired. They gave a more guarded prognosis for a return
to ridden work. Physiotherapy was recommended but I was apprehensive because
Elijah is not an easy patient and in the past he has been aggressive towards strangers.
From her first visit Susie was fantastic with him. She was quietly confident around
him and obviously very experienced with horses. After a couple of treatments
I noticed an improvement to his back pain and this made him much more comfortable
and happier.
Elijah has really benefited from Susie's visits. After four months of rest
and treatment he is now being turned out in the field every day and my vet feels
I should start ridden work again. I will continue to have regular maintenance
sessions with Susie."
Susie Grady
www.4legsphysio.co.uk