Does your horse flinch when you’re saddling up? React when tightening the girth? He may be suffering from a cold back.
Massage Tips for a Horse’s “Cold Back”
by Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt, LMT C
old Back is a common problem usually associated with ill-fitting saddles, unbalanced riders,
incorrect shoeing, and aggressive training programs.
The term Cold Back refers to an inflammatory condition of the muscles in a horse’s back, resulting in tenderness ranging from mild to severe. The main muscles affected in this condition are the longissimus dorsi, the iliocostalis and possibly the serratus dorsalis, both cranialis and caudalis portions. In severe cases, the thoracolumbar fascia is also affected. This condition will cause your horse to compensate using the muscles over his
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entire rib cage, possibly up his neck and some of the larger muscles of both his fore and hind legs.
To help the horse with a Cold Back, consider massage, stretching and hydrotherapy applications.
HOW TO MASSAGE Choose a location where your horse will be calm and relaxed. Light massage both before and after riding will help; if you have time for only one, an after-ride session is better, because warm back muscles can take a more vigorous massage that will soothe any stiffness and prevent the formation of trigger points.
Start with the Stroking-Effleurage- Wringing approach along his entire back, from withers to rump, on both sides. This will stimulate the general circulation and loosen the muscles. Effleurage is the gliding movement done with the fingers and palm of your hands, using a gentle pressure to assist the natural flow of the venous blood circulation. Wringing is similar but done with both hands moving side to side as in wringing a wet cloth. This really stimulates blood circulation!
PHOTO ABOVE: When your horse reaches between his forelegs for a carrot, his back will get a nice stretch.
Holistic Horse™ • February/March 2012 • Vol.19, Issue 77
Courtesy Jean-Pierre Hourdebaigt
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