How Many Treatments Does My Horse Need?

This is a question that is separated into categories based upon the individual needs of the horse and rider.

Rider’s Needs:

• Be able to ride the horse safely and comfortably
• Have the horse respond to commands without resisting
• Have the horse perform his best in competitive events
• Avoid expensive problems

Horse’s Needs:

• Comfort
• Energy
• Strength and flexibility
• Freedom of movement
• Eat, poop, and escape from predators

Typically, if the problem I am called for is indeed coming from the back, the problem will show improvement sometime within the first two treatments. These first two treatments should be no more than two weeks apart. A third treatment is needed in some cases before significant results are noticed. This usually depends upon the age of the horse, length of time he has had the problem, and any associated leg or foot issues.   

The first treatment generally relieves anywhere from 20-80% of a horse’s pain and stiffness. The second treatment will go after most of the remaining percentage while reinforcing improvement already gained. A third treatment done 2-3 weeks later continues the process. A fourth treatment is recommended 3-4 weeks later. This completes the process of “rebooting” the horse’s nervous system so that muscle memory stops replaying the problem and pulling things back to where they were.

It is at this time that clients mistakenly believed their horse is “fixed”, when the proper term would be relieved. You can say “fixed” as long as you don’t mean “fixed permanently”. If you plan on continuing to ride your horse, the same or similar problems will return if regular maintenance is ignored.

Following relief of a back-related problem, horses should receive a single treatment according to the following maintenance schedule:

Actively competitive horses:Every 1-2 months (Monthly is better and you’ll win more)

Trail horses (used in hills and mountain areas): Every 2 months

Trail horses (mostly level trails): Every 3-4 months

Therapeutic riding horses: Every 3 months

Lawn ornaments that eat carrots: Every 6 months

Contact Dr. Michael Reuben at dr.reuben@equinesportperformance.com.  Dr. Reuben has a mobile equine therapeutic treatment service in the Southern California area, including Canyon Country to Agoura Hills, Moorpark to Visalia and beyond.  Please call 661-313-3303 for more information.