Massage Therapy

Jetta's anxiety about cantering has been a concern for me ever since I've been riding her. It's difficult to know if it's a training issue or a saddle fit issue or just general discomfort, but she gets tense when asked to canter. Of course, I have wondered if it was bad memories from her race training days (i.e. anticipating someone using a whip at the canter or gallop) or if she just didn't like the arena. Out on trail she has improved her attitude somewhat; at least she is offering to canter once in awhile. Anyway, since the massage therapist has helped Keno SO dramatically, I though I'd give him a chance to work on Jetta to see what he could find.

(I am actually going to Equissage California next month to get my own certification in equine sports massage therapy, but I don't have the knowledge to work on her myself yet. I've enjoyed the benefits of having Kylie work on my gelding, and since Jetta seems uncomfortable I don't want to wait another month until I can work on her myself.)

Kylie is a farrier/cowboy/massage therapist, and he does a good job. I took Jetta to his place, about five miles from where I live. Lo and behold, he quickly determined Jetta has a very sore back, mostly (90%) on the left side. He worked her over really well and she tolerated it, but was quite irritated about the sore spots. It was very obvious where the sore spots were: high on her back just in front of her loin, left ham string muscles, and a couple of spots on the left side of her neck/shoulder. She was a little sore on the right side back area, but not as bad as the left side.

We talked about saddle fit. I ride in two different treeless saddles, but have mostly used the Bandos trail saddle and a Suber pad. After looking at the saddle, Kylie thought that the soreness could have "come with the horse." In other words, Jetta may have had this problem since before I got her in March. I tend to agree since she has acted the same way all along. I've been riding her for four and a half months now, and she is always forward and fun, but occasionally I see a little tension popping up. I have consistently seen the anxiety/attitude with canter work in the arena. So we'll see if Kylie can fix the problem; he'll work on her again on Wednesday. If the soreness returns in a few days or weeks, I'll have to think about a saddle change.

I was considering taking Jetta to Cedar City for the Quichipa Lake endurance ride this weekend. Now I'm not so sure. Kylie says she'll be good by then, but I'd like to know for sure it's NOT the saddle before I ask her to do 25-30 miles. And Saturday's ride is 30 miles instead of just 25. That extra five is a pretty big extra for a horse's first competition, even if I am going to go slow. Bears thinking about, for sure. Sigh.