Betty

Betty Boo 17-11-22 Betty presented with bilateral primary landing pattern on her forelimbs and asymmetry pelvic excursion. Tracks up and has made improvements since the last session. Owner reports that she is building some crest and so advised to watch weight as much as possible. Some mild crepitus in the carpal joints was evident but again has improved – shoes have been altered to wedges and this seems to make a difference. Back range of motion was good – some restrictions and trigger points near the tuber coxae bilaterally. Some changes to coat and fascial restrictions in the thoracic trapezius muscle more so on the left side. Released and latissimus dorsi stretch altered landing pattern on the right forelimb and was much improved. LASER was applied to trigger points and deeper spasming. Massage and stretching with trigger point release and myofascial techniques aided release and a better pelvic movement was observed following treatment. Exercises: 1. Forelimb holds – With knees bent hold the back of bettys’ knee and cup with both hands, watch her elbow for dropping forwards and allowing the shoulders to release, slowly lower and allow the stretch – repeat 5x every other day only after exercise. 2. Carrot stretches – Nose to chest , nose to knee and nose to fetlock – 3x a week to encourage back muscles to stretch and prevent tightening as quickly. 3. Hot water bottle – continue 10 minutes 3x a week for the same as above. Ridden Exercises: Continue with the warm up with altered transitions at each letter, this will engage the hind-limbs and have Betty working into a contact with you more. Make good use of large circles and turns to again move the hindquarters under the midline. Watch when ridden that the saddle is not slipping or stirrup leathers are uneven. Week 1-2 Spiral in and out in walk, on a 20m circle aim to leg yield using leg on the girth and straight reins to move the shoulders onto a smaller circle. When moving back out imagine the hindleg stepping under to push back onto the bigger circle Week 3-4 Poles and channels, in walk trot or canter ride through and over channels to keep straight. Week 5-6 << Leg yield on a straight line with pole guides – repeat on both reins in walk and trot Canter weaves – walk trot and canter weaves in between cones try to sit as level and straight as possible >>