Back pain is common in horses, and the 2 pillars of therapy used to get them back on track are pain relief and strengthening.

But first, a veterinarian needs to pinpoint the problem and diagnose the cause. A variety of options for managing back pain are often used in combination. One of the most common treatments is local injection of a corticosteroid. Oral medications are sometimes used for more generalized nerve pain or muscle spasms. And acupuncture can provide additional pain relief for up to 2 weeks.

The next step is increasing a horse’s strength to protect it from further injury. This regimen may include core exercises, use of elastic resistance bands and equine “gymnastics”—like reversing, circling and stepping over poles.

Back pain can be debilitating to horses, but the good news is that it’s often treatable.