Sacroiliac Pain and Problems
As the meeting place for your equine's pelvis and spine, this critical joint transfers the action of the hind legs to the back, creating the forward motion. It is not uncommon to have problems in this joint due to the amount of force it takes daily. On top of that, it is even harder to find the problem, since SI pain can be easily mistaken for other physical or behavioral issues.
According to a study by Sue Dyson, FRCVS at Center for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, United Kingdom, jumpers and dressage horses accounted for almost 60% of 74 horses seen at the center for Sacroiliac pain. While slightly more than half of the group was warmbloods, most horses with pain tended to be slightly taller and heavier than average, suggesting breed, and mechanical stress may be a factor.
So how do we find out if our horse has SI pain?
Look for some of these signs:
- Lacking impulsion behind
- Unwillingness to work
- Refuses jumps
- Bucks or kicks out
- Feels stiff or off under saddle (may not look lame on the ground)
- Rigid back
- Throws rider up and forward
- Reluctant to move forward
- Reluctant to work on the bit
- Stiffness or crooked at canter
- Trouble with lateral work
- Swaps leads behind
- Trouble with flying changes
When working with your horse on the ground, you may also notice he "waddles" behind, or with a wide-based gait.
Hunter's Bump
Hunter's bumps are not a tell tale sign of SI problems, it only indicated a prominent bony crest (the tuber sacrale) under the muscles at the top of your horses croup. this bump can be very normal on one or both sides for many horses, however, is there are muscle spasms or pain in this region, the bump is likely of significance. It may be a sign of displacement of the tuber sacrale.
So how do we address this pain without injections?
What you can do:
- SLOWLY increase workload. focus on strengthening the hindquarters.
- Use Cross training techniques, doing the same exercises never challanges the muscles to move a different way, mix up flatwork, hacks in a field, cavalletti work or a nice swim.
- Avoid movements that could be uncomfortable for your horses SI joint; Jumping, quick transitions and tight turns or circles.
- AS MUCH TURN OUT AS POSSIBLE. The more he gets to stretch, move around, and use his muscles as intended the better.
What a professional can do:
- Massage can help to loosen and relax tight hip, croup and hind end muscles
- Chiropractic can help maintain joint mobility (it is recommended to massage THREE days before a chiropractic visit)
- Stretches; hind limb stretches to draw the legs forward and backward, hip rotations, carrot stretches, and back lifts.
- Acupuncture may help elevate pain
