Re: RC: Help! Back injury - sacroiliac (sp?)

[JPascu@aol.com]

In a message dated 7/10/01 6:01:00 PM Central Daylight Time, 
jessicat@napanet.net writes:


> This horse is 5 yrs old, has done very little work, the vet is not sure what
> the soreness or injury is from but he is very sore to palpation in that area
> and is slightly off on both hinds when trotted on a circle in both 
> directions.


This may be a subluxation of the sacrum, or a pulled muscle. Only a DVM 
Chiropractor will be able to tell. He could have simply slipped in the 
pasture. 

> The only recommendation for treatment or therapy I have gotten so far is to
> inject cortisone into his spine with a six inch needle! Doesn't sound like a
> good plan to me. He has been resting in his pasture for 14 days, getting 1
> gram of bute per day and he is still slightly off and still sore to 
> palpation.


I'm not a big fan of bute. The movement is good. Again a Chiro. Vet. is the 
best answer here. Ice is always good for getting the heat out. Never use 
heat. If he's strained a ligament Sacroilliac it will take a long time to 
heal.

> I would like to do some kind of therapy with him, stretches, pole work,
> bending, anything other than letting him stand around not getting any 
> better.

If he were mine I would hand walk him with gentle bending, around poles, 
through poles on the ground, ala Tellington Jones. The lumbar spine can 
sidebend and the sacrum will follow them.

Good luck

Jim Pascucci
Advanced Certified Rolfer
www.equinesi.com