REVERSING SADDLE FIT DAMAGE WITH PHOTONIC THERAPY AND THE TOUCH AND TORCH METHOD™
By Janet Crow
Damage caused by ill-fitting saddles is a cause of many equine physical conditions that can also result in behavior and mental issues. A saddle that does not fit properly can cause damage to a horse with just a few hours of riding. Even the tell-tale white hairs on the wither area can appear this quickly.
Saddles that are too narrow or placed too far forward can cause atrophy in the wither area, blockages, damage to the thoracic area, and rigid and spasmodic muscles in the compensating shoulder/scapula area. All of these issues will cause blockages and imbalances in the entire musculoskeletal system that can result in a number of movement and lameness conditions.
Saddles that are too large or placed too far back can cause damage to the loin area and the lumbar vertebrae. When the lumbar vertebrae are continually damaged by an ill-fitting saddle it eventually leads to arthritis and pain in those joints as well as other musculoskeletal compensation issues.
Rider weight and balance is also critical to a proper fitting saddle and comfort of the horse. A horse will compensate with his own body to offset rider imbalances that can also create musculoskeletal damage to the horse if continually repeated. As riders we can help the horse’s comfort level by riding as balanced as possible and trying not inhibit the horse’s natural movement with your body or the saddle.
THE TTM™ TREATMENT
To reverse saddle fit damage with TTM™ I begin direct treatment at the source by removing the blockages within the affected muscles to restore the circulation and enhance the flushing process. After the blockages are removed from the initial trauma area muscle restoration is begun on the excessive compensating muscles. As the more critically damaged muscles are rehabilitated the secondary and underlying muscles are revealed and treatable. Normally within 3-6 treatments the damage can be completely reversed and the horse can be properly fitted to a saddle and begin conditioning.
CHEX
Chex is a beautiful two year old Quarter Horse gelding bred for reined cow horse work. He had been with a professional trainer and at the end of 60 days the owner was told to take him home. The trainer said that Chex was lazy and would never amount to anything. The owner was devastated and opted to get a second opinion before giving up on Chex.
When I first met Chex his disposition was sour, ears laid back, trying to bite, couldn’t stand still, and had no desire to be with humans at all. The first thing I noticed, after the sour disposition, was the “hand-sized” patches of white hair and atrophy on both sides of his withers. Further examination revealed excessive muscling in front of the scapulas and atrophy behind, narrowed chest, wasted pectorals, and wasted forearms that are all indications of an ill-fitting saddle.
To me, it was instantly obvious because of the severity of the damage that Chex surly was in pain. I also attributed the “sour” disposition to this pain and that it was humans that had caused this pain.
With the initial TTM™ treatment on Chex I was able to increase blood flow into the wither area; begin releasing the rigid compensating muscles, and start rehabilitation on the atrophied muscles. Progress began immediately with a visual “plumping up” in the wither area and less rigidity in the affected muscles. A total of six TTM™ treatments were performed on Chex in a two week period. With each treatment progress was made and Chex started his training again and re-conditioning with a savvy trainer after his fourth treatment.
With each treatment not only did his physical condition improve but so did his disposition and attitude. Even the white patches of hair on the withers disappeared within the treatment time.
What the trainer interpreted as lazy was really pain. It turns out that Chex isn’t lazy at all and loves to work and play!
Chex at his first show!
I saw Chex at a show two months after I finished treating him. I didn’t recognize him. In just two months he had become conditioned, well muscled, balanced, and happy. He can bend in half to slide stop, and he is great at working cows. He is now a magnificent young horse with a promising future.
Chex was my first saddle fit rehabilitation case. Unfortunately he was not the last. Owner awareness is critical to preventing and correcting improper saddle fit.
Saddle fit damage is an equine condition that is completely controllable.
To learn about The Touch and Torch Method™ of visit http://holistic-herd.com/natural-horse-power-llc/,
Certification Courses in TTM™ are available in Colorado and a Level 1 Home Study Course.
Contact Janet to host a course in your area.
