First aid for back pain
Back pain should always be investigated and addressed as soon as possible. Here are some things you can do to help the horse feel better while you wait for the horse to be seen by a professional.
Hand walking is a good idea to help with back stiffness, as the walk has a mobilizing effect on the spine.
Back pain in horses is extremely common. It can occur due to many things like an ill-fitting saddle, an imbalanced rider, inappropriate training, hind limb lameness ... the list goes on. Ideally, back pain should be investigated and addressed as soon as possible, but sometimes it takes a while before the horse can be seen by the vet and/or the bodyworker. Or perhaps, the back just feels a little stiff, and you are unsure whether or not this problem will go away on its own or not. In those cases, there are things owners can do to help the horse feel better until the problem can be looked at by a professional. Here are some tips on what to do while you wait.
Movement. If you suspect your horse has back pain, riding should be off the table. It's simply not fair to ask the horse to carry us if his back is not 100%. That said, keeping the horse in the stall is very likely counterproductive too. Gentle movement is good for back pain, so make sure the horse gets to spend time outside. Walking him is likely a good idea too, as walking has a mobilizing effect on the back. The gentle lateral flexion that is induced by walking is good for relieving stiffness in the back muscles. A short walk twice a day will be more than welcome for a stiff back. Make sure not to overdo it and listen to what the horse has to say about it.
Tail pulls. A technique that can help alleviate some degree of back pain is the tail pull. Research has shown that traction on the tail can help by increasing nociceptive thresholds in the back musculature. Hold the base of the tail with one hand and the lower part of the tail vertebrae with the other and gently apply traction backwards. If the horse is ok with this, increase the pressure and hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Release, then repeat two more times. I recommend you do this before and after taking the horse out for the walk.
Tail pulls are a great way to reduce the sensation of pain. Make sure your horse is ok with this technique and never force it if the horse is uncomfortable with it.
Psoas stretches. Back pain is often (but not always) connected to tight hip flexors – psoas muscles. If the horse is stiff in the lumbar region, chances are, he is tight in the psoas too. Gently stretching these muscles can help alleviate some of the stiffness. Take the horse's hind leg and gently guide it backwards and downwards. Aim for the horse to put the toe of the hoof down about a hoof length behind the other leg. If the horse is comfortable with it, keep the leg in this position for about 20-30 seconds. Repeat on both sides. Go slowly and don't fight the horse. If he has a hard time stretching the leg behind him, don't force it. When the psoas is very tight, this will be hard for them to do. If this is the case, simply lift the leg, do a couple of circles in both directions, and set it down. I recommend you do these stretches after the walk, when the muscles are warmed up.
Stretch the hind legs backward and downwards gently, and hold it there for 20-30 seconds, if the horse is ok with this.
Heat. Tightness in the lumbar area often responds well to warmth. This is especially true when the weather starts to get colder and the horses aren't fully equipped for winter yet. Placing a hot water bottle on the lumbar area can be beneficial, if the horse is ok with it. Make sure the water isn't too hot – test the temperature on your own skin first. It shouldn't be so hot as to make it uncomfortable. Keep the hot water bottle on the back for about 15 minutes and re-apply as needed. This is a great way to warm up the muscles before the tail pulls and walking.
Of course, always consult your vet before you do any of this. While these techniques are good for most horses, there are exceptions that would not benefit from them. If you are unsure, ask a professional.