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McTimoney for your horse

Horses did not evolve specifically to carry weight on their backs, and modern competition places even more stress on their skeletal structures. Even a horse considered a 'happy hacker' has physical demands placed on them, being expected to wear tack and carry a rider. Therefore, it is not unexpected that our requirements will create wear and tear on their bodies over time.

 

Most horses will let you know if they are feeling discomfort - it may be a subtle sign such as reluctance to bend one way, or a more severe sign such as sudden rearing or napping. If these issues are not picked up on early they may result in the horse compensating by altering their movement in an attempt to rebalance themselves, which in itself can lead to further issues.

Common signs and symptoms of discomfort in horses

  • Unlevelness, especially behind

  • Excessive tail swishing, carrying the tail to one side or a clamped tail

  • Uneven shoe wear or toe-dragging

  • Uneven muscle development or atrophy

  • Changes in temperment; uncharacteristic grumpy behaviour, tired and  lethargic

  • Reduced performance level; knocking or refusing jumps, less elevated paces

  • Bucking / rearing / napping or any unwanted resistance to work

  • Disunited canter or difficulty striking off on the correct lead

  • Reluctance to work in an outline or reluctance to go forward

  • General stiffness and reluctance to bend

Causes of skeletal misalignments and other musculoskeletal problems that produce these symptoms fall into two categories, acute and chronic. Acute causes have a sudden onset, usually related to some kind of trauma, and if not addressed can result in a chronic problem developing, especially if the horse alters the way it moves to compensate for the problem. Chronic causes build up over a period of weeks, months or even years. 

Acute causes:

  • A slip/trip or fall when being ridden or out in the field

  • Getting cast in the stable

  • Landing awkwardly after a jump

  • Accidents

  • Playing/fighting with other horses in the field

Chronic causes:

  • Ill fitting tack - even if this has been checked, the horse will continually change shape, especially if they are young or with a change in workload.

  • Poor hoof balance

  • Conformational faults

  • Unbalanced or crooked rider

  • Repetitive/strenuous work

  • Compensation from an injury/ lameness

  • The demands of regular competiton

  • Carrying excess weight

How a McTimoney treatment can help

A McTimoney treatment applies precise adjustments to skeletal misalignments and helps to realign the vertebrae and other joints, relieving pain and discomfort, restoring range of motion, and releasing nerves from any pressure. This can help to alleviate any of the above symptoms, making your horse happier, healthier and more able to perform. All horses can benefit from McTimoney, even if they are not displaying signs or symptoms of back pain. Competition horses will benefit from more frequent treatments as high demands are put on their musculoskeletal system, whereas horses with a less demanding job can benefit from having periodic treatments on a preventative basis, to prevent minor problems manifesting into pain and discomfort. Older horses can show marked improvement and relief from the stiffness that old age can bring following a treatment. 

Benefits of a McTimoney Treatment

for your horse

  • Improved suppleness and flexibility

  • Enhanced performance and relaxation​

  • Increased blood flow which stimulates the horse's lymphatic system to remove toxins

  • Improved function of the nervous system​

  • Relief from soreness and muscle spasm

  • Improved joint range of motion

  • Improved general well-being

Please do not arrange a McTimoney treatment for your horse the day before a competiton or strenuous work - ideally your horse will be allowed 24-48 hrs rest post treatment to allow the body to continue the healing process.

 

Veterinary consent must be obtained prior to your horse receiving a McTimoney treatment.Consent is normally ust a phone call to your vet informing them that you have a McTimoney treatment for your horse and verbal consent is given over the phone. Sometimes the vet may require a consent form or wish to speak directly to me, please contact me if this is the case.

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