McTimoney for your Horse…
The horse originated as nomadic herd animal and was never meant to carry humans on their back, although they do this with incredible strength and acceptance. The stresses and strains from being ridden, training regimes, training devices, competitions and injury can make the horse susceptible to back pain and injury.
Common causes of back pain in the horse are:
- Trauma such as falls or knocks
- Getting cast in the stable
- Incorrect fitting tack
- Poor foot balance
- Dental related problems
- Insufficient warm up and cool down
- Conformation deficits and compensations
- Unbalanced rider
- Excessive or inappropriate work regime for the horses fitness and ability
- Compensations from musculoskeletal conditions and injuries
Dental related problems and poorly fitting tack can create considerable musculoskeletal pain and injury throughout the horse’s body. It is advisable and good practice to have your horse’s teeth and saddle checked frequently.
Many horses are stoic and reluctant to express pain and will use their bodies to compensate and ‘work through’ injuries and discomfort. The reason for this can be traced back through evolution. Horses evolved as flight animals and regardless of their domestic environment their innate instincts tell them to disguise any signs of physical pain because this would make them vulnerable to predators. Therefore, the horse compensates through its body, adapting its natural movement in an attempt to avoid pain through using the injured limb or area of the body. This then puts additional strain on other areas of the body as it counterbalances for the injury which can lead to secondary, compensatory musculoskeletal pain.
Common signs and symptoms that your horse is experiencing pain and discomfort in their back are:
- Bucking, rearing, napping or bolting
- Uncharacteristically refusing to jump
- Asymmetry and stiffness on one rein
- Reluctance or inability to work in an ‘outline’
- Loss of performance
- Difficulty striking off on the correct canter lead and disunited canter
- Head tilting and shaking
- Showing avoidance behaviour (biting, kicking, moving away, tail swishing) when being groomed or tacked up
- Uneven hoof or shoe wear
- ripping and toe dragging
- Lack of top line
- Muscle atrophy or asymmetrical muscle tone
- Constantly resting a hind leg or shifting and transferring weight when standing
- Compensations from musculoskeletal conditions and injuries
- Change in behaviour and general demeanour
Your horse will need a day or two off work post treatment, please do not arrange a McTimoney treatment the day before a competition or strenuous work.
If your horse presents lame and has not been assessed or diagnosed by the vet, treatment cannot proceed and referral to the vet is required.
Please remember, as with all complementary treatments for animals and in accordance with the 1966 Veterinary Surgeons Act, veterinary permission must be granted prior to treatment.
