betty

Betty Boo – Initial assessment and exercises 22/9/22 Betty Boo was found to have a recent diagnosis of sidebone in her left forelimb and associated 1/10 lameness in this leg. She uses a grazing muzzle, has turnout and can be ridden or worked inhand. Shod 2 week prior front only. Teeth jabs up to date. On walk assessment, the right TC showed less excursion and remained higher than the left which dropped more. Tracked up 1 hoof length. Straight movement RF, LF showed a lateral landing pattern and medial placement. Tight circles better left than right – HLs reluctant to step under. Owner reports left rein harder to ride – has got pelvic asymmetry too. Range of motion was good, bilateral carpal joints displayed mild crepitus on full flexion, inconsistent and mild. Thoraco-lumbar junction restricted in flexion. Right lumbar trigger points and spasming. Left thoracolumbar trigger points. Farrier aware of loading pattern on the LF. Considerations:  Back mobility restricted and tense  Hind-limb asymmetry  Balance needs work on forelimbs – loading patterns In hand or ridden– 3x a week (15-20 minutes) Warm-up (ride a transition at each letter 2x each rein) Week 1-2 – Use the maze to improve the turns and balance. Use the channels of poles for straightness and across poles for accuracy. Week 5-6 – Shallow loops, ride of the track and make sure you have good control and don’t let Betty fall out through the shoulders. horsestohoundsphysio@gmail.com www.horsestohoundsphysio.co.uk 07729002162 Week 3-4 – Make the maze harder ! Can also trot over the poles, stop and try turn on the forehand/haunches to practice moving front and back ends Week 7-8 – Putting it all together. Try shallow loops (red) both reins off the track. Use tighter turns and full turn on the forehand to engage the hindlegs and loop over poles (blue) or serpentine (green) Other Exercises  Wither and hindquarter rocking – place your hand over the rump or withers and gently rock from one side to the other to gently shift the weight over, this activates the smaller stabilising muscles and encourages better weight distribution from left to right 20 rocks 3x a week  Move haynets – alternate one day left the other right to help build up evenly – pulling from 1 side all the time can overload a limb.  Hot water bottles, place each side of the back for 10 minutes to soften the muscle and relieve the knots that were found throughout. – 2x a week horsestohoundsphysio@gmail.com www.horsestohoundsphysio.co.uk 07729002162