McTimoney 4 Horses

Selective breeding over many years has bred horses for specific sporting purposes. Unfortunately, however athletic we breed horses to be, their basic anatomic structure remains the same in that they are simply not designed to be ridden. The more athletic the horse, the more we ask of them, and the more injuries seem to arise.

Back pain can stem from many causes including lameness, falls, badly fitted tack, inappropriate foot balance, inappropriate training methods and rider balance and ability. It is often difficult to tell if a horse is suffering back pain, but it is important for riders, trainers and owners to recognize when something is wrong. Below are lists of some behavioural and performance changes which may indicate musculoskeletal issues and are problems where McTimoney therapy may help.

"Once the spine is realigned; the pelvis and shoulders are rebalanced the horse can move more freely and performance can be improved."

Recognizing musculoskeletal problem

Behavioural changes Cold backed Difficulty with farrier Resistance Bucking Rearing Napping Reluctance to be tacked up Unwilling to be handled

Performance changes Difficulty with Lengthening stride Collection Bending Lateral work Correct canter lead Knocking fences Jumping to one side Bucking into canter or changing leg Sudden loss of performance Uneven shoe wear Unexplained intermittent lameness Unevenness

Testimonial for McTimoney Therapy

Late summer of 2010, we noticed that our show pony was a bit off form, but we couldn’t put a finger on the problem. The equine dentist suggested that there were a few things wrong and suggested McTimoney manipulation therapy, and recommended Sam to take a look at him. She found his back was misaligned, and his shoulders and pelvis unbalanced. He had two treatments close together, and then went on to win several very prestigious classes and championships. We were delighted with his return to form, and he now has routine preventative treatment.

CC Hertfordshire.