All of my tack fits Reiss just as it should. The vet was at my barn the other day to do acupuncture on my other horse. And we got to talking about what ill-fitting tack could do to a horse. It can pinch on a nerve or even make it hard for them to muscles in a certain way. Then after sometime it makes them sore and they will either go lame or sour and resistant to working.
I then asked about pain management for the horses. I knew about some of the medications as well as acupuncture. She suggested chiropractic work and pulse therapy or acupuncture before the use of certain pain medication. Unless the horse is really in pain or sore. She also gave me suggestions on how to prevent muscle soreness and stiffness in the horse’s body. When riding your horse give them a good warm up to let their muscles loosen up and stretch. Walk a few laps each direction at a normal walk then at a working walk and at a forward extended walk. Then the same thing at the trot and to work on transitions too. She also said to do neck stretches before and after each ride, this will help with any neck stiffness.
How to do neck stretches: get three treats, stand on the left side of your horse and hold the treat by their shoulder and they will bend to that side to get the treat,do the same thing on the right side. Then with the last treat hold to just above their knees. This will help to loosen up a very stiff part of the horse’s body.
If you are finding that all you tack fits it is time to look at your horses’ feet. The hooves are very important, they are delicate and they have to carry the entire weight of the horse. You need a Farrier that knows what they are doing and that you trust. Have them check your horses’ hooves for an abscess or bruise and to make sure the shoes are what is best for your horse.
Horse Sense 