Horses & Ponies
Maintenance & Prevention
McTimoney Chiropractic is widely utilised as part of the routine care of horses.
It is a valuable tool to prevent injury by ensuring optimal performance of joints & soft tissues that support the body, reducing the chance of small aches & twinges developing into larger, more painful problems that can affect performance.
The better your chiropractor knows your horse through routine care, the earlier problems can be detected and resolved.
Improving Performance
Performance horses & ponies of all levels and disciplines will benefit from treatment:
- In-hand
- Ridden
- Driven
Chiropractic treatment promotes the optimum health, wellbeing and performance of horses & ponies to ensure that they are fit to perform at their very best.
What sort of problems can McTimoney chiropractic help?
As well as the routine care of your horse, McTimoney chiropractic can be utilised in the treatment of problems.
Is your horse showing any of the following symptoms?
- Reduced performance
- Napping, bucking & rearing
- Dislikes being groomed or girthed up
- Reluctant to canter on one rein
- Shortened or uneven strides
- Reluctance to jump or regularly knocking poles
- Tilting of head & neck or holding the tail to one side
- High head carriage and/or hollow back
- Changes in behaviour or attitude
Many conditions requiring rehabilitation can also be positively managed with treatment. Chiropractic care can improve comfort, promote healing, reduce pain & compensatory patterns in the body and for long term conditions, prevent deterioration . Conditions such as:
- Sacroiliac disorders
- Kissing spine
- Tendon & ligament damage
- Arthritis
- PSSM (Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy)
- Lameness with a known cause or with veterinary referral
- Following a fall or accident – providing a veterinary examination has been performed and any required diagnosis obtained.
All treatment to be carried out with consent from your registered veterinary practice.
What to Expect
In accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act of 1966, consent for treatment will need to be obtained from your vet prior to any treatments. This ensures that treatment is safe and keeps your horse happy & healthy.
The first session will usually last just over an hour, however, please leave extra time available as many horses need longer. Subsequent sessions may be shorter as background information will already be known and your horse will be more familiar with the process.
History
Getting to know your horse is vital for effective treatment and ongoing care. A detailed history will be taken before before assessing your horse’s movement.
Static & Dynamic Assessment
Observing your horse standing, at the walk and at the trot enables the detection of any areas requiring attention and assess for an optimal way of going. Treatment will then be tailored to the individual.
Aftercare
Advice will be provided on caring for your horse to maximise the benefits of the treatment. 24-48 hours rest following treatment is normal in order for your horse’s body to adjust and fully benefit.
Working with other professionals in ongoing tailored care plans may be required.
