How can osteopathy help your horse or pony?
What can Osteopathy treat?
There are a wide range of symptoms and issues that may be helped by osteopathic treatment. Please contact me if you notice one or more of the following, or would like help with any of the issues listed:
- Gait problems: shortened stride, uneven gait, not tracking up correctly, difficulty bending to one side, reluctance to work on one rein e.g. difficulty cantering in one direction.
- Reduced performance: reluctance to engage hind quarters, less energetic paces, decreased comfort when jumping, tapping more fences than normal, reduced ability to perform tight turns, or generally feeling less able to perform.
- Head carriage issues: reluctance to work in a correct outline, holding the head to one side, leaning on one rein, shaking of the head to avoid contact.
- Back problems: lameness due to back disorders, cold-backed, back problems caused by tack or rider position/injury.
- Recovery from injuries: from falls, training, or other activities.
- Recent changes in behaviour: if this is due to pain or discomfort, osteopathy may be able help with recent behaviour changes such as head-shyness, bucking, kicking, rearing, swishing of tail when girth tightened or when ridden.
- Maintaining mobility in older horses: although osteopathy can't cure arthritic conditions, it can help maintain mobility and comfort in older horses.
- Assisting in rehabilitation after serious injury: osteopathy can help with recovery from injury - at the site of injury and by maintaining mobility in the rest of the body. Osteopathy can also be useful to help prevent horses on box rest from stiffening up.
If you notice any other symptoms please contact me to see if osteopathic treatment may be appropriate.
My horse doesn't have any of these issues, could it still benefit from treatment?
Osteopathy can help all horses and ponies, even if exhibiting no obvious symptoms. Osteopathy uses a holisitic approach to check the function of all areas of your horse's body. In this way minor issues and restrictions can be identified and treated before they lead to more serious problems in the future.
Many owners will book their horses in for maintenance treatments every 3-6 months to help improve joint mobility, elasticity of muscles and general well-being.
Osteopathy can also be used pre and post competition to stretch muscles, maintain joint mobility and reduce areas of muscle tension - helping to prepare the horse for competition or aid in recovery.
What to expect from a session
I normally treat horses in their own stable yard. It is preferable for the horse to rest after treatment, so long trips in the horsebox are not advisable immediately after the treatment. Some owners like to bring their horses to specific yards for a clinic day of osteopathic treatment, allowing them to share the travel fees associated with treatment.
I will take a case history, asking questions about previous injuries and illness, activities/competitions the horse takes part in, tack used, any shoeing or dental issues etc. The horse will be assessed at walk, trot, performing circles and standing. I will then work through the whole body to assess for areas of dysfunction e.g. joint restriction and muscle tightness. Usually any issues are treated as they are identified. No sedation is used during treatment.
You will be advised on any restrictions to activity that will aid recovery.