Basa’s regained level of trust has allowed me to have the equine chiropractor examine her – finally. What she has discovered is evidence of a possible old major muscle tear. The latissimus dorsi may have been separated from the insertion point near the spine. This muscle basically covers the whole of the rib cage and inserts toward the back; just before the upper most point of the flank. One of the jobs of this major muscle group is to assist the abdominal muscles in lifting the ribs and help prevent drag on the spine. Given the little bit that I do know regarding what happened to this mare the most probable cause for this injury is going over backwards on the cross ties and landing hard enough to tear the muscle.

Basa’s body clearly shows evidence that her muscles are not supporting her core enough which is then putting undo downward drag her Nuchal ligament – the ligament that runs the whole length of the horse from poll to tail. This shows its ugly self when she is asked to trot on the longe and appears like a one-inch round taut cable just below her spine. It is much tighter on the left side and has managed to pull her pelvis crooked as well.

After Basa’s (indeterminate) accident and the subsequent behavior issues (wishing to harm all those on two legs) it was hard to diagnose her when the injury was new. She had to be tranquilized to the point where she could not move or walk. Nothing was discovered so we assumed a severe strain and perhaps some micro-tears and she was treated for such. As she has progressed nicely, both in attitude and physical health, it must also be assumed that the initial diagnosis was correct. But since she is still loath to have any weight on her back, other than a longing surcingle, another assumption that must be made is perhaps the tears were more than we had guessed them to be. That coupled with the expert palpation of my chiropractor and we now have something very specific to work on.

The prognosis is fair – she may be able to heal from this. Healing will involve more time and the use of a therapeutic ultrasound machine. In order to accomplish this treatment she will need her back surgically clipped and if we all survive that she will then need to allow me to use a strange feeling device on the part of her body she has defended with teeth and feet for the last few years.

Please wish me luck!!

A side-note – Therapeutic Ultrasound machines can be purchased for less than two hundred dollars. They are hand held devices and with proper guidance can be an extremely useful piece of equipment to have around. Look for an upcoming article on the whys and wherefores of these beneficial medical devices.