Most
Problems Can Be Helped
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In
resent years it has been noticed that there has
been a longing and a desire by
horse owners and professionals alike to
help chronically sore footed horses.
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Farriers
have been watched as they went about their
day-to-day duties of shoeing horses ~ and all
that was seen was that they were just nailing on
horseshoes.
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There
has been no understanding of balance or
conformation, no concern for comfort, there is
no connection or communication; there is no real
bond between the farrier and their true
client—THE HORSE!
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Once
that balance and conformation are understood and
used correctly this becomes the foundation and
the key to the solution of many problems.
Defining the problem and then being able to
determine the solution allowed horses to start
to progress through lameness, flight pattern
problems and interfering problems at a very
astounding rate of progression.
The
Steps As They Happen …
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Initial
Evaluation of the Horse.
Bob
will spend some time with the owner
—discussing the history of the horse, both
medical and physical conditions the horse has
had in the past and to identify the normal
exercise pattern and activities that the horse
enjoys. This, along with the Veterinary
Diagnosis of the current condition, as well as
the owner’s description of symptoms will give
vital information to the causes of and factors
contributing to the horse’s condition.
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An
Explanation of what will be involved in the
treatment.
A
full explanation of how the treatment will work,
what can and cannot be achieved and what the
owner should expect throughout the treatment
process.
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Complete
Assessment of Gait and Biomechanics.
This will involve watching the horse move,
both in walk and trot, turning in tight circles
and backing up. Close observation of the
horse’s movement, identifying gait
abnormalities, asymmetries and stiffness. This
will allow a clearer picture of the location of
the problem.
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Palpation
of Joints and Muscles.
It is at this point that a there will be a
reasonable idea as to the cause and location of
the specific problem. Here specific palpations
to the joints and muscles will aid in the
location of muscle spasm, asymmetries, dysfunction
and areas of tension and tenderness. This part
of the process will also assess the range of
motion in the joints and the involuntary
reflexes of key areas of the nervous system.
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Treatment.
This
area could consist of several choices that are
available for the specific needs and
requirements of your horse to allow for the
successful elimination of the specific problem.
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Preventative
Care.
After
treatment your horse may be sore, stiff or at
least behave differently. This is due to the
body readjusting to the changes which have taken
place. Bob will give advise on the care and
management of the horse upon completion of the
required work. Additional advise may be give in
the areas of feed, saddle fitting or other areas
that may be pertinent to the specific needs of
your horse as part of preventative care to aid
the rehabilitation of your horse.
In
Closing …
I
am sure that you have asked questions about a
horse’s condition and wondered if the problem
could be fixed. And, in most cases you were most
likely told that it was the way that the horse was
and that it could not be fixed. You just had to
leave it alone. Many farriers today don’t know or
they chose to ignore that they are the reason that
the problem in the horse exists.
That
is what makes Bob Burdekin so different, he has
always looked for the answers to the same questions
that you might have. His true concern has always
been the well being and comfort of the horse. Bob
has spent a great amount of time learning and
adapting many techniques that are normally outside
of the farrier trade, but do pertain to the comfort
of the horse. The integration of these techniques
into the farrier process has allowed many horses
that were designed for chronic pain to be relieved
and are able to do what they do best.
I
am also aware that not everyone will want to get
involved with me or what I have to offer. I also
realize that not everyone will be able to understand
what I have to offer but at the same time I know
that the people that are really looking for the
answers and want to understand their horse will be
able to follow along since this does not take a
great deal of intelligence; what it does take is
dedication. And, dedication means that you want to
learn what you need to learn, you are aware that
results don’t happen over night – you have to
allow time for the information to be absorbed, it
then has to be digested and finally you need to be
able to redefine that same information into what you
are comfortable with.
My
work with horses and owners is dedicated to the
thousands of horses that I have had the distinct
pleasure to meet, learn from and allowed into their
lives. That acceptance has given me the insight that
is necessary for the understanding of their world
and how I had to alter my thoughts and actions to
become the same as theirs. These horses started as
my clients, became my friends, then my teachers and
finally my mentors. For that I am forever
grateful.”
Bob
Burdekin
~
Orthopedic and Therapeutic Farrier |
