Chiro/Acupuncture visit #1

For Laz's Xmas present, I decided to give him his Chiro appointment with our new DVM Chiropractor. 

It was our first time using Dr. W and WOW, we were both super happy and impressed.

In general, he was a very kind man, asked me questions about Laz/his history, made sure I understood what he was doing, answered my questions and then showed me what I could do with Laz after our treatment to keep him moving, supple.

Dr. W thought that in Laz's past he had a hard fall on his right shoulder.
Back in his racing days, he thought, by the old build up of scar tissue.  He should me the difference in range of motion between the two shoulders, before and after. Wow. The right was SO locked up and then after could move quite a bit better, although not as great as left. In time it will and with the exercises he wants me to do to both of his shoulders.

He wants me to take his leg, hold his pastern and ankle with my arms and use my body/legs/arms to slowly lift his shoulder up into his withers. Do that a few times before our ride and after, each side to help his should range and muscle release.

He really felt this was an injury older and unrelated to his laminitis.  

Interesting.

He also adjusted his back/pelvic area. He said his whole right side, from TMJ jawline down his body to his back hip was off.  After a few, pop POP pops and gentle torques, Laz was a total noodle.

Dr. W asked if Laz ever tries to buck me off.  I laughed and said "NEVER!" and he laughed and said "Well, then he's being nice to you." based on how bad his back was. I told him I ride bareback and he figured that was better for now and probably why he wasn't trying to buck me off. Ha! Can you imagine. I asked if I shouldn't be riding and he said "No..ride away and the best thing to keep a back supple and in good shape is TROT TROT TROT." So, when we get that RH feeling better, we will put that back in our game plan. I miss trotting, but for now he just too off to trot around.

The last Chiro visit he had with a different Chiro did NOT go well.  He kicked and humped out in pain. 

This time he did not. Dr. W also just used his hands, no tools, which seemed to be much more comfortable to Laz as well.

Laz's heart was POUNDING while he worked on his back and then he let out a HUGE siiiiiigh. 

It was crazy cool.  Dr. W also showed me how flexible and bouncy the back/spine was after the adjustment.  Laz just held himself differently.

I'm wondering so much now; his right side/shoulder being held in so tight, could be why his club foot won't quite drop down. Hmmmmmmm, maybe.

After the adjustment, I mentioned "I read that you do acupuncture..." and he replied "Yep and we'll do some today!" Eeks, YES!

So, he twisted in a few needles at his neck/should area, and along his lower back/pelvic area and asked me if I knew why. It was cool. I said to allow the energy out? 

He basically stated it was like re-setting the body. Releases the pain, like unblocking a locked pain to allow to flow through and out.

After that, through the needles he gave Laz shots of B12 which I knew can help 'hold' the adjustments.

It was WAY cool and great to watch.

He asked if I was happy with what he did, etc. I told him if I based it off my droopy, yawing, releasing horse, then YES!!!

We talked a lot about the holistic things I do for Laz, his past history, etc and he seemed to think this will really help Laz out quickly. 

We have our next appointment in early Feb and I may have him work on Mason too!

Overall, I think a great present for Laz who seemed soooo comfortable throughout and especially afterwards. I'm going back in the morning to check on him to make sure he's still acting ok.

When I was pulling out of driveway, he was chasing his buddy around the pasture.

A pretty great sign.