10. Flicka's Journey - A Visit by The Chiropractor!

 Flicka arrived at Windy Coulee in November 2014. She has a long journey of recovery ahead. She was fit and healthy in 2011 this is her story.  If you would like to read the whole story, scroll down to post number 1.

Smokey calls and is able to make it to the farm to look at two horses on January 1, 2015. I head outside again, it is windy, but warm.  Flicka and another horse I have in training come into the corral.  Smokey Provost is our horses chiropractor.  By observing his work on my competitive trail horse in 2005, I am a dedicated follower of this practice.  Not only is it needed, it is required to keep horses working happily and soundly. 

 Horses can adjust themselves as well, you see it in the field when they roll or rub against a fence post.  In some cases they need help. I find Smokey has the touch, experience and skill to do a proper job.  I am not sure if the adjustment is needed because of the recent fairly rough entry into the herd, or if it is from a long term issue; it is however needing to be dealt with.  We both notice Flicka moving around uncooperatively, I am having a bit of trouble handling her and taking pictures at the same time. 

Flicka is not relaxed.  I walk her away and back as Smokey observes.  He works on her left shoulder first, then moves to her back.  You can see a strip of dander and dust come through the coat as he feels for inconsistencies along the spine.  Smokey stops just above the kidney area.  I remember what Amanda said during that first health assessment . . .  Flicka was very tight in the kidney area.

Smokey has targeted that area, without the background of the health assessment and it all starts to make sense.  I tell him what Amanda had noticed, and he relates that a nerve could be pinched with vertebrae being out of alignment, that could cause tightness over that area.  I love how all the observations support each other from all three professionals who have worked on this pony.

After the work on her back, I notice Flicka settling down; she stands feet square, head low and relaxed as Smokey massages the muscles on either side midway down her spine.   I walk her back and forth, and she walks evenly.  May as well have everything working properly; this aids recovery.  I have already set time aside for Flicka to see the horse dentist this spring. 

Now, folks may be wondering why I have not brought Flicka directly to my veterinarian.   I have spoken to my regular horse veterinarian about the rehabilitation.  And to be sure,  if I have even the slightest inclination of anything going array during the rehabilitation, Flicka will be loaded up and brought in for an examination.  As it stands now, the pony is improving, moving well, loosing weight; everything appears to be mending.  Vet is on standby.  Our farm works with a top notch local veterinarian, who answers all my questions, and is full of knowledge.  There are just times when the other specialists have to put in the work instead, and this is one of those times.

copyright 2015  Windy Coulee Canadian Horses - Heidi Eijgel