Off the Track Thoroughbreds
A horse that arrives straight from the training establishment may look spectacular, but this can disguise a range of problems. Ex-racehorses can display numerous physical issues associated with the demands of the sport. This is true even with horses that left racing soon after the barrier trials, as they have still started work when young and trained intensively.
Many ex-racers I see display muscular asymmetry due to having constantly worked on a unilateral bend. I regularly encounter pelvic imbalances, with associated sciatic and lumbar pain. Some horses have postural issues throughout their entire length due to having run with hollow backs and heads high.
Fit for a New Life
Soft tissue bodywork will complement your retraining work by helping your horse to adjust to a new way of working and moving. If you are planning to do dressage, eventing, jumping or riding club activities with your horse, it is important that your horse can stretch and be supple, while developing strength and range of movement.
On a structural level, my approach to bodywork helps to release lumbar and pelvic tension, reducing the asymmetry in the hindquarters and minimising sciatic pain. Stresses will be reduced throughout the horse’s body, improving mobility, flexibility, stride length, etc.
On a subtle level, this approach to soft tissue bodywork will also help your horse mentally and emotionally, as it makes the transition from a highly structured – and sheltered – training regime to ‘civilian life’.
