Today I looked at Douglas and realised that the past year really hasn’t been kind to him.
When we see our horses every single day, most days more than once a day, we don’t always notice the changes as they happen slowly so there is no dramatic change.
Add to that that we are all super busy and the winter months mean many owners don’t see their horses in daylight very often it can make spotting subtle changes tricky.
Yesterday, I found some old photos of Douglas on my computer and noticed that his back looked very different to how it does now. This morning, I went to the yard with the thought in my head that I really needed to take note of the changes that have taken place and compare the picture to what I was seeing in front of me. To say it shocked me is an understatement, Doug has always had a hollow back but, it has become a lot worse over the last year.
I have added photos to the bottom of this blog to show the change.
Doug has had a number of years now doing very little and sporadic work, which isn’t ideal, also over the last 12 months he has spent more time out of work than in work because of his hindlimb issues.
Many of you know that I also struggle with Douglas’s weight due to his EMS. All of this put together isn’t great for keeping his muscle tone, especially his topline.
Through the winter Douglas spends most of his time living his best life, naked in the field, rolling in the muddiest patches he can find so bodywork sessions as also limited.
I try to keep Doug’s hay feeding as natural as possible, if he is in his stable then he has his Nose Bagz hay feeder and usually when in the field the hay is on the ground. However, because the ground has been super wet this year, I began using low tied haynets out in the field. These have now been removed and the hay back on the floor to ensure the most natural eating position possible for him, ensuring that he is stretching though his back as he reaches down to eat.
Today Douglas had some gentle massage therapy and myofascial release along his back, especially around his withers and where the back of the saddle would sit as these areas were particularly stuck. We finished off our short session with some carrot stretches, down between his front legs and to both sides.
From here I will begin with using ground work to build him back up again as well as regular bodywork sessions before putting any weight on his back.
I will try and track our progress as much as possible of those that are interested in following his journey back to strength.
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