CANTER Mid Atlantics Kid Klondike

If Klondike looks a little concerned in that photo, it’s because he was a little confused about what the heck was going on.  Last night was his first session with chiropractor and acupuncturist Dr. Liz (who we are told is updating her website soon).  Because he’s getting back into work and building (or re-building) muscle, as well as having some issues from his long ago racehorse training, it seems like a good idea to get some therapeutic work like this done. 

Even with lots of time off after race training, a horse’s body can still show the effects of that work.  After all, if they come off the track a little wonky or stiff, it will effect how they move all the time- so certain stiffnesses or problems can remain, and new problems can form as the horse compensates with other parts of his body.  Bodywork (gee, sounds like we’re tinkering with engines here!) can only help in getting him more even and moving better and better.

All that said, poor Klondike didn’t seem entirely convinced that this session was in his best interest.  While parts of it were probably relaxing, other things? Not so much.  Dr. Liz concentrated much of her attention on his rear end.  Because the bones in the pelvic area aren’t fully mature until the horse is five or so, and racehorses do a substantial amount of work before that age, it seems pretty typical to find that TB’s are a little “out” there.  After doing some basic chiropractic work, she applied some acupuncture needles to key spots in his back and butt.  SuperKid did not appear to mind this too much, until, moments later, Dr. Liz asked him to pick up a front foot.

The motion must have caused some sort of zingy feeling in his rear end, because it was as if sleepy-Klondike had suddenly been stung by a horde of killer bees.  OK, maybe not that bad… but- you know that lovely video of the mare Blue Hors Matiné doing her Freestyle? You know her beautiful, expressive piaffe?  Well, Klondike basically started doing that- but only with his back end.  He kept his front feet mostly planted, very politely, but was doing a lovely dance with the back feet, convinced something was trying to get him (but thankfully he seemed concerned about our safety as well- it’s nice to know that even if cattle-prodded, he’s looking out for our well-being).  After he finally calmed down (”but people, there are NEEDLES in my BUTT!!!“) Dr. Liz removed the needles and went on to work a little bit on other body parts.

A little pushing and adjusting later, Klondike appeared to be feeling very good.  He let loose a huge series of yawns, and seemed to be more and more happy as the rest of the session went on.  By the end of the session, he was definitely improved.  Dr. Liz tested his back sensitivity both before and after, and while he showed a big response before she started, he barely flinched afterwards.  Though he’s getting today off to recover and stretch out, we’re pretty excited to see how he feels under saddle over the weekend. 

It’s also great to see his body changing- we’ll have to take some pictures to document this process, but even after a very short time here, he has already packed on some weight.  Not just weight, but muscle- his shoulders are not nearly as bony as they were, and his neck is not so scrawny either.  In another month, he is going to look (and go!) like a rock star.