WWYD if you think the physio has missed something?

squidsin

squidsin

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Feb 16, 2013
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Roxy hasn't felt quite right to me - she's still really stiff and struggling on the left rein. I can't push her out and we just walk in tight circles. I had the physio out on Friday, who said it was a saddle problem. So had the saddler out and I now have a lovely new saddle, and she got me to test-ride in it in all paces. She is also an equine therapist and, when she saw me riding, she said Roxy really isn't right in the pelvis area, she's disunited behind, and she thinks she needs her pelvis manipulating. It was obvious to me riding Roxy in canter that she was much happier when I stood up in my stirrups and took my weight off her back, so no wonder she's been bucking during canter. The saddler/therapist said her problems are back/pelvis related and not behavioural, which makes sense, as Roxy is a good girl! In the meantime, she says no schooling or lungeing, and gentle hacking only. (Which is pretty much what we do anyway so no real change there!) But I feel worried and frustrated as obviously this issue has been rumbling on for a few months now, and Roxy was fine when I bought her and she was vetted in June.
Anyway, the physio is well respected in the area, but she didn't see me ride Roxy, it was snowing and the yard was covered in ice and snow, so we couldn't even really trot Roxy up properly, and she didn't pick up on any pelvis problems. As the problem is not resolved, and I am getting her out again, should I argue about paying full price? It's £95 a visit so not exactly peanuts!
 
Hmm, that's a toughie, I'm surprised the saddle fitter/therapist didn't offer to make the manipulation there and then??? Physio's don't normally manipulate I didn't think and it probably wasn't the best situation last time for him/her to assess plus they may have noticed it and suggested what ever exercises they gave you to remedy it over time but not mentioned the specific issue to you. I would probably drop into the conversation in a jokey way "do I get a discount for having you out again so soon?" but honestly, she came and did what she could with the circumstances and her time is the same value no matter how much she can/can't do will probably be the answer you get, but you might get lucky.
 
Who is the best person to do the manipulation she needs? If you were not happy with the physio the first time out, I would be inclined to get the equine therapist out and she what she can do. Is that possible?

I doubt that you will get any kind of refund from the physio, but if you did want her again you could suggest a lower rate as the second visit is so close to the first. If she needs alot of work, is it possible you could get your vet to refer her so you are covered via insurance?
 
She said she can't do the manipulation, it is physio work and she is not qualified to do that. I've called the vet out tomorrow. Gah so stressed!
 
Even specialists cannot know everything, sometimes things will be missed / misdiagnosed and I would not expect discounted treatment because of a genuine mistake or oversight. If real incompetence was involved I would answer differently but I don't think it sounds like this is the case. If she was unable to do a full examination because of the weather conditions maybe it would have been better for you to postpone the appointment til a more suitable time. As it was, she came and did what she could under the circumstances. She can't be held responsible for missing something if she was unable to do the things that would have enabled her to find it.

My boss has used the same physio/osteo on her horses for 15 years and is one of the many people in the area who speak very highly of her. One of the showjumpers had a mystery recurring lameness last year following a rotational fall, and after the obvious veterinary checks my boss involved the P/O, who found a few issues here and there and suggested a treatment plan in conjunction with vet's advice. Things improved for a while, but then deteriorated again so my boss got a vet from the equine hospital to do his own examinations. He highlighted a couple of things that the P/O hadn't found. Whether she simply missed them, or if they were things that she, in her role, could not have diagnosed herself, she did her job to the best of her ability, and when the other issues had been found, continued as professionally as always.
 
You may be right Joosie but it makes it no less frustrating when your horse has a problem that you are worried about, everyone you get out has a different diagnosis/treatment, all of which costs a LOT of money, and despite it all, your horse is still no better and the problem continues. At a time when my job looks uncertain so I am worried about money!
 
Yeah I understand it is frustrating and stressful, and none of us are made of money, but I was only trying to answer your question so please don't get snappy at me. Hopefully the vet will be able to give you some answers tomorrow.
 
joosie said:
Yeah I understand it is frustrating and stressful, and none of us are made of money, but I was only trying to answer your question so please don't get snappy at me. Hopefully the vet will be able to give you some answers tomorrow.
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I'm not snappy at you - just generally worried and fed up!
 
I really do understand how that feels, I've had 4 different back people, 2 saddlers and 1 saddle fitter out to Jess in the last year, oh plus our vet, we have come up with all sorts of things but I still have a niggle something isn't right, now I am starting to think I am a hyperchondriac for my horse!!! (only for my horse, I rarely see the doc one year to the next) and It's cost me a bomb I can ill afford.
 
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Was it a sports physio? was it the one I recommended? (she does not cost that much so hope not).

I would call her and explain what has happened. as that is a lot of money. She could have missed something?
 
Well Roxy is definitely lame on her off hind - the vet is coming back to do further investigations on Monday. Could be a number of things but the vet says that we should be able to get her sorted. She is nearly 14 (Roxy, not the vet!) and has done a lot of competing, so that is something to take into consideration. I'm still fine to hack her anyway, so that's good, but honestly, horses - they look so big and sturdy so why are they so ridiculously fragile?! My dog and cats are way more hardy! Although I don't ride them and I suppose therein lies the rub!
 
Yes, it's mild. She is fine to hack, the problems are with schooling. The vet seems confident we can isolate the problem and resolve it so I feel reasonably optimistic!
 
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From what's written it doesn't look as if the physio missed anything. If your saddle needed changing, it will take time for the muscles to adjust and the physio did what they could under those circumstances.
I use a sports massage lady and she can massage and manipulate as necessary. When my cob was very tense it wasn't uncommon to rebook her in a months time. Its not something that alters overnight.

I personally wouldn't ride a lame horse, even mild lameness is a problem. My vet considered 3/10 significantly lame to warrant a months box rest. We have a collateral ligament injury, that could have been made worse by me riding. Not saying yours has done this, but its not an injury you want.
 
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