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View Full Version : Could it now be a habit?


Tatesgram
10-08-2008, 12:58 PM
I posted on h.com about my horse Darby and her stiff neck. The vet came out and adjusted her, and she has been getting dailey rub downs with liniment along with cool water treatments on her neck to reduce swelling. We started gently flexing her to the right and even though she isn't flexing the same as on the left, she is much better.

She still circles to the left before straightening out to go to the right. That sounds odd, but it looks even odder (is that a word?). Could this now just be a habit? Any suggestions how it might be corrected?

There is still some swelling, it is getting better, but it is still there. Right at the top of her neck, behind her ears, on each side. I didn't see it before because I was looking lower and her mane covered it on what I thought was the injured side. Turns out, it was worse on the left from her holding her head in that position all the time.

Any way, would appreciate you thoughts.

WashingtonBay
10-08-2008, 01:32 PM
They very much can learn habits like that to compensate when they've been avoiding pain a long time. We can too. You have to hope over time you can show her and teach her that it no longer hurts and teach her how to bend again. When that is true, of course. It sounds like it's not cured yet.

Tatesgram
10-08-2008, 02:00 PM
WB-True, I feel we're in for a long recovery. I do work with her every day, and she actually seems to enjoy the water and the liniment rubs. She also gets a little bute before I flex her. The flexing is getting easier, at first we both went in circles :( her moving her whole body rather than turn her head. Sometimes I think she feels special because I spend so much more time with her than the others :rolleyes:. She's lowest in the pasture hierarchy.

Well, truth be told, I enjoy working with them for any reason, I just hate that she's been uncomfortable through all this.

Tatesgram
10-10-2008, 08:46 AM
Darby turned her head to the right all by herself out in the pasture. I'm so glad. The swelling has gone down significantly. And even though she still favors that side, we're on our way:cowboy:

Tatesgram
10-10-2008, 08:47 AM
Updat-slang for update.

WashingtonBay
10-10-2008, 08:48 AM
Sounds like very good progress. She'll discover in time that she can once again move without expecting it to hurt, and your exercises will help with that I'm sure.