Equine Sports Massage Therapy - take two

Ceaser has had it all this week in preparation for Royal London show on Wednesday. First of all my lovely friend Kirsty came and clipped him for me and I must say, he looks absolutely stunning. Kirsty is fantastic with a set of clippers. I love her attention to detail and the way she turns her horses out in the show ring. If you need a groom that will win you the best turned out prize Kirsty is your woman!

Next came my dressage lesson with Amy where we worked on getting Ceaser working more long and low to give the illusion he has a longer neck. You can read all about this here: Dressage lesson.

After just two days rest Ceaser was dragged out of the field, probably wondering what the heck was to come next. Kelly, Ceaser's "massage lady" was due to come and give him a pampering session again before our trip to Royal London. Thankfully this is the treat he enjoys! I have noticed he was starting to get a little tight through his hind again. As before it was more noticeable in trot more than the walk and canter. For more information on what Kelly said before, please click this link.

Ceaser absolutely adores Kelly, she always takes the time to fuss him and give him some attention before she starts his massage which I like. Equally it is a bonus that Amy and Kelly know one another really well so I hope between us we can discuss how to get his hind right again. Anyone that gives him some attention and loving instantly goes into his good books. Typical!

Kelly instantly commented on how well he was looking and how much more even he looked muscle wise. Phew - all that lunging, working on our "bad" rein and lots of hill work in the field had paid off then.

She said he was a lot more free through the poll as well which was more positive news as he was quite tight last time. As she delved deeper she found he was very tight through his right shoulder and left hind - which although are on opposite sides, does add up. She commented on how much more supple he was through his back muscle and a lot more even and loose. That is the good news I was hoping for as I have been working really hard to get him more loose and even!

After making her way towards his back end we were faced with his slightly stiff hind again and I discussed with her if it was worth me getting a vet out to look at him. Again she said no as he wasn't showing arthritic symptoms and he had improved dramatically since she saw him back in June which was positive.

Left side = small injury 'dimple'. Right side = much more built up. 

Finally - more investigation lead her to find an old injury, rupture or scar tissue on his left hamstring which could have happened at any time, but would also explain exactly why he finds it difficult on his left rein. In fact, it would explain a lot. I will try to explain it as best I can. Kelly explained that this would have made his left hamstring quite tight and so when he is working it can't stretch as far, meaning that he appears to be a little stiff. She did some hamstring stretches on him and asked me to note whether the 'dimple' got worse or better as she did them. The further we stretched his leg, the better the 'dimple' got and so Kelly is sure that with some daily exercises and stretches we can get him back to normal in no time. Phew times two!

She has recommended that I stretch his hamstrings daily after exercise three times. As well as this she also said to do left, right hind and forelimb stretches three times daily after exercise and then apply some Aloe Vera heat gel to the hamstring daily, both in the morning and at night. Thankfully he has now had two days off and should be ok to go back to normal being ridden tomorrow. Kelly and I have discussed that we will not leave him as long to have a massage next time and he will probably be done every 4-6 weeks from now on, or at least until we have sorted out his problem. He will also wear his Equilibrium Massage Pad daily, both before and after exercise.

Poor Ceaser's week didn't end there as today my farrier gave up his day off and came out to shoe Ceaser just in time before we go off to Royal London for the week. Of course I am very grateful for him coming out on a Sunday and now I just hope we have some good luck shoes on!

So, that is all from me - just 3 more sleeps to go until we leave for Royal London and unfortunately I have not started preparing in terms of packing and getting the lorry sorted!

Wish us luck :)

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Labels: aloe vera , Blacksmith , Daily Exercise for horses , Dressage Lesson , Equilbrium Massage Pad , Equine Sports Massage , Equine Stretches , massage , Royal London Horse Show