Which professional to call first?
When performance issues are quite subtle, it can be hard to know who to call for help first. While this does depend on the individual horse, here are some general pointers.
Whenever we are dealing with performance issues, we should call the vet first, to rule out lameness and pain.
Often, when problems with their horse arise, owners are unsure who to turn to first. This is especially the case when the horse isn't outright lame, but just »off«. Maybe he's struggling with the right canter lead, or maybe he's refusing jumps. Perhaps he feels stiffer to rider overall or he feels heavier on the reins. Does it make sense to check the saddle first? Or do we go straight for the vet? Or should we call the dentist? The bodyworker? This can be quite the dilemma. Here are some pointers to help steer you in the right direction.
Whenever we encounter a performance issue, the vet should be our first go-to. Ruling out pain and lameness is the first thing we need to do, so a veterinary examination is always a priority. Ideally, the vet will be able to point us in the right direction, but sometimes vets don't find anything and we are left with another dilemma.
The hooves and the teeth should be on a regular schedule anyway, so whenever there's a problem and we know that it's about time we check our horse's teeth (every 6-12 months, depending on the individual horse) or it's time for a trim (every 4-6 weeks, depending on the individual horse), we might as well go with that first. If the problem persists, the bodyworker and saddle fitter should be the next in line. When all of these professionals have seen your horse and didn't find the cause of the problem, then it’s time to turn to the trainer and/or behaviour consultant. Too often, people label a problem as a training or a behavioural issue, when the case is that the horse is in pain. So, make sure you REALLY rule out pain, before you conclude it's not physical.
Often, there will be more than one problem. Teeth issues can cause musculoskeletal issues, those can cause hoof issues, or the other way around. The body is complex and everything is connected, so often we will need the help of more than one professional. But who to call first? This is a tricky question and there is no true »recipe« for it. Obviously, the vet is still the first person you call. After that it makes sense to address the teeth, before you call the bodyworker. Balancing the mouth will enable the bodyworker to more effectively balance the soft tissue structures in the neck and back. If you suspect there's a saddle issue, call the saddle fitter first, but then call the bodyworker before you start riding again.
With hooves it's a little trickier. A general rule of thumb is that if the primary issue is in the body and the hoof imbalance is a consequence of issues higher up, resolve the body first and the hooves second. If the primary issue are the hooves, do those first and then address the soft tissues. But this can be a bit of a chicken or egg situation and it’s rarely clear cut as to what started the chain of problems. So, it makes sense to have both professionals out in a reasonably short time frame (5-7 days apart). I would recommend against doing both in one day, as these big changes can be a lot for the horse to take. In any case, good communication among all professionals is key. They should be able to work as a team and advise you on what order would be most suitable for your particular horse.