The back of the horse is one of the most important parts of their anatomy. This is especially true for performance horses, as the back is the region where they carry the rider. In this article, we will explore the signs of equine back pain and how acupressure can be part of the mix when it comes to treating back pain in horses.
Let’s dive right in and find out what are the signs of back pain in horses. When you want to jump to the acupressure chart, click here.
A healthy back is extremely important for horses
The spinal area must lift in order to carry the rider easily and be able to move sideways in order to change directions. Horses that are ridden too early or too much during their development will sustain significant issues in this area. Equine with issues in their daily management may also develop problems in the back. Therefore, it is important to be on the lookout for any early symptoms, prevent problems from occurring in the first place, and know how to treat/manage if issues do persist.
Signs of Equine Back Pain
The most obvious symptom that something may be off in the back is poor performance (such as running out or knocking down jumps consistently) and behavioral issues such as rearing, bucking, and reluctance to move. The horse will also have trouble engaging the hind end and may feel uncomfortable during saddling/grooming. Another common sign is frequent tail swishing and general reluctance to work (even to the point where they will be unwilling to stand). Owners should not take any sign lightly and react early, as horses can be quite stoic.
More symptoms of back pain in horses:
- Sensitivity when being touched in the back area.
- Discomfort when being groomed or saddled.
- Grinding their teeth when being saddled or ridden.
- “Sitting” on the manger in the stall.
- Circling in the stall, not finding a comfortable position for resting.
- Change in behavior, pinning ears when being touched.
- Resistance when being ridden.
- Tail swishing when being ridden or saddled/groomed.
- Stiffness
Prevention of Equine Back Pain
The best treatment is prevention, and prevention starts with the horse’s daily life. Start by ensuring that the horse is getting fed their forage from the ground (or near the ground) as that is how they naturally consume their nutrients. Eating with the head raised will push together the spinal region, causing the bones to rub. In addition, the equine should be getting their hooves regularly trimmed (this should occur every six weeks).
When it comes to physical work, ensure that the horse is worked according to the condition they are in. If the horse is unfit, start with slow, low-intensity work and build from there. Give rests accordingly, especially if the horse has had an intense session. Sometimes, back issues may occur due to something being off during the actual riding. This may be ill-fitting tack (which should be replaced accordingly) or a poorly balanced rider (in this case, a qualified coach or lessons on the ground may help). Keep an eye on the horse’s body and involve the veterinarian early on if certain symptoms persist.
How to Manage Equine Back Pain
Before any treatment can happen, the underlying reason for the issue needs to be identified. Some common causes can be lameness in another body part, issues with the saddle, poorly balanced rider, gastric ulcers, arthritis, kissing spines, and weakness of the back muscles. Treatments used directly on the back are as follows:
- Medical treatment with anti-inflammatory medication drugs such as NSAIDs. or cortisone.
- Local injections with anti-inflammatory medications and painkillers.
- Chiropractic Care – Is a useful tool to treat subluxations in the equine spine.
- Acupuncture – Can help to relax the musculature and treat pain.
- Dry Needling is a powerful treatment modality to address painful trigger points in the equine musculature.
- Acupressure can be used by horse owners to manually stimulate acupoints and promote their horses’ health.
In addition, the horse must undergo rehabilitation through physical work. The work must be done slowly and carefully, ensuring that the horse is worked over the back in a relaxed manner. This can be done under saddle (if the horse and rider are fairly experienced) or on the lunge (with the help of training aids if needed). On the ground, stretches using treats may help, as this can encourage the horse to stretch down into relaxation.
Although extra treatment has proven to help, only management can fix the problem long-term as most issues in the back occur over a period of time. It is important to note that some equines may need external treatment on a consistent basis in order to perform at their best.
With damage to the back a horse is unlikely to perform well under saddle, yet problems in this region are mostly caused by underlying issues in management, riding, or other areas of the body. All horse owners must be the voice for their horses by watching for any signs and managing their horse correctly. Knowing the option of how to treat problems in the back in case it does occur is something that owners should be aware of in order to make the best decision for their equine partner.
Acupressure Points for Back Pain in Horses
Pressure points have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years. Pressure point treatment, or Acupressure, is a form of manual stimulation used to promote healing processes, relax tense muscles and alleviate pain.
Do not underestimate the beneficial effect of this simple technique! When your horse is being treated regularly, acupressure can play an important role in supporting treatments & medications prescribed by your vet & acupuncturist.
Massage the following pressure points 2-3 minutes per day to soothe your horse’s back pain or strengthen it against potential damage.
- BL 18 – Between the 13th and 15th rib, a hand’s breadth off the midline. This is usually the lowest point of the back.
- BL 20 – In the last intercostal space, a hand’s width from the midline.
- BL 26 – At the lumbosacral junction, a hand breadth from the midline.
- DI 04 – In the upper third of the canon bone, just palmar to the splint bone.
- DI 16 – On the muscle between the head and shoulder (brachiocephalic muscle) just cranial to the shoulder blade.
- DÜ 03 – Directly below the lower end of the medial splint bone.
- BL 60 – In the groove caudal to the hock joint.
Equine Acupuncture Charts PDF
Download your Equine Acupuncture Charts PDF now. Ideal for studying and treatment planning.
Final Thought
With damage to the back a horse is unlikely to perform well under saddle, yet problems in this region are mostly caused by underlying issues in management, riding, or other areas of the body. All horse owners must be the voice for their horses by watching for any signs and managing their horse correctly. Knowing the option of how to treat problems in the back in case it does occur is something that owners should be aware of in order to make the best decision for their equine partner.