We had our favorite equine chiropractic vet, Dr. Diana DeBlanc, out Wednesday morning to check out our horses. She had seen Morgunn before, about 3 years ago, but this was the first time to see Sugar.
It was a good thing that she came to see Sugar because Diana said from her evaluation that it was probably the first time that Sugar had ever been worked on by an equine chiropractor.
Diana pushed and pulled every part of Sugar and when she did there was a crack or a popping sound. Interestingly enough, as Diana went along Sugar seemed to enjoy it more and more so it was something she needed.
Checking Sugar’s neck vertebra. At this point she wasn’t too sure about all this.
Pushing on Sugar’s hip structure. Notice the relaxed right hoof and the look in her eyes. “This ain’t too bad.”
Finally, a good pull on the tail to straighten out all the spinal column. “Oh, that feels good.”
Diana also gave Morgunn a good once-over and he needed a little correction in his left shoulder and hip.
We plan to have them checked about every six months. It should make them feel better, especially Sugar, and, if we don’t cause them too much imbalance with our riding postures, it should help their riding as well.
After it was all over Diana and I shared broken toe stories. Her 3-year old horse had stepped on her foot that morning and she was pretty sure at least one of her toes had been broken. Ouch.
6 comments:
I had a horse chiro go over Buddy one time after he had a nasty fall. Buddy, who was still pretty wild at the time, loved it. It was amazing. Glad your two benefited too.
I think in my next life I wanna come back as your horse because you take such good care of them.
I had no idea that Dr. LeBlanc traveled out your way, too. Aren't there any good Chiros in the ABQ or Corrales area? We must have some very good equine caretakers up here. My farrier even travels down to Belen, and I'm sure there must be farriers down there, too.
Poor Diana. I hope her toe doesn't end up being broken.
~Lisa
I learn sooooo much from you! I didn't even know that there was a such thing as a horse chiropractic vet!
Tom and I had lunch in Corrales today and we say a horse and rider stroll by.... the under belly was shaved on the horse. Don't you do that in the summer to help your horses cool down? I was wondering why this horse has it done now, so close to winter????
Keri, horses perspire through their bellies, necks and legs. In winter when their coats are getting extra thick and the horse is ridden a lot and hard then it's not a bad idea to do what's called a 'trace clip' where the thick hair is clipped in the belly, neck and, sometimes, upper leg areas. That allows the hard working horse to get rid of that body heat.
We do that kind of clip in the late winter/early spring with Betty's horse, Morgunn. Then in the late spring we'll do a full body clip for the summer.
I hope that answers your question.
Dan
I can see that you really love your horse, do you go racing?
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