WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE OSTEOPATH?
WHAT CAN EQUINE OSTEOPATHS TREAT?
WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?
HOW WILL MY HORSE FEEL AFTER TREATMENT?
DO I NEED PERMISSION FROM MY VET?
AM I COVERED FOR TREATMENT ON MY INSURANCE?
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED?
WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE OSTEOPATH?
Once your veterinary surgeon has ruled out a serious condition, a qualified osteopath can frequently help return your horse to fitness. Your horse may be under par because of stresses or strains on the musculo-skeletal system. Osteopaths are experts in recognizing and treating problems of this nature.
There are many subtle ways in which your horse will try to communicate discomfort to you. If your horse is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, osteopathic treatment may be the way forward and the sooner appropriate treatment is given, the sooner the problem may be resolved.
WHAT CAN EQUINE OSTEOPATHS TREAT?
Osteopathy isn't just about bad backs. In horses it has proved to be particularly useful in helping to improve the following:
General symptoms
Gait problems – tracking up/short stride
Reluctance to trot/canter on certain reins
Problems with head carriage /pinning ears back
Jaw or TMJ problems/difficulty in chewing
Tail to one side or wringing/switching
Dragging a hoof
Uneven pelvis or hips
Weakness/lameness in a leg
Inability to bend
Loss of or uneven muscle bulk
Muscle atrophy (loss), spasm, knots or imbalance
Obvious sores, friction rubs, white hairs, swellings or hard
spots in the muscle or skin
Sensitivity to touch
Performance related
Slow to warm up
Resists work, perhaps increasingly during a session
Reluctance to stride out
Poor impulsion/collection
Rushes downhill/pulls uphill
Jumping problems
Resisting/faltering at transitions
Inability to track up or bend
Mobility maintenance in competition horses
After injury
Aiding rehabilitation after slips, falls and other injuries in
training
Weight loss due to pain
Back, neck, leg or tail pain
Behaviour
Changes in behaviour: bucking, rearing, kicking and
bolting, shying, rolling
Sudden changes in personality e.g. refusals, crabbiness
Objection to being saddled or girthed
Unable to stand still or relax
Hyper-sensitivity to brushing
Being difficult to shoe
Repetitive behaviour
Lack of concentration
Older Horses
Stiffness in different areas of the body
Help with diagnosed conditions such as arthritis, sciatic
neuralgia
Periodical maintenance can help maintain function
and quality and ease of movement
WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?
When I come to see your horse, I will take a history from you, noting any previous injuries, treatments and medications, and also any day to day demands placed upon the horse. The examination starts from when I set eyes on your horse. I will watch your horse being led up at walk and trot and turned on a circle. Once I have gathered sufficient information, I will perform a brief physical examination and assessment and an osteopathic evaluation. I will then discuss my findings with you, and commence treatment if appropriate to do so. Techniques are tailored to the individual and aim to normalize function and restore balance. They can include massage, stretching and myofascial techniques to release soft tissue areas, improve circulation and drainage, and joint manipulation and articulation to enhance joint mobility and reduce muscular spasm. Quite often horses become relaxed during the treatment. After treating, I may give advice on exercise.
HOW WILL MY HORSE FEEL AFTER TREATMENT?
The treatment will initiate a healing response in your horse which can be tiring, and for this reason I recommend that the horse be rested after the treatment for a few days being turned out or grazed in hand with fresh water available at all times.
DO I NEED PERMISSION FROM MY VET?
Yes, in order to for any animal to receive treatment permission from the vet must first be obtained.
AM I COVERED FOR TREATMENT ON MY INSURANCE?
Most insurance companies are on the whole happy for an animal insured with them to receive osteopathic treatment from a registered osteopath holding valid insurance, provided that the treating vet has given permission for the animal to receive osteopathic treatment. Do check with your insurer prior to treatment if you wish to claim.
HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL BE REQUIRED?
This depends on what is being treated and the history of the horse. However, I will give you more details and an estimate after the initial consultation and treatment. Treating horses is very effective and generally they respond rapidly. I will follow-up within a week or two and then offer treatment on a maintenance basis as required.
I do not treat horses under sedation! I see no need to sedate horses which keeps the cost of treatment down and is far better for the animal.
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