SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Horses

All types of horses can benefit from a McTimoney or Equine Sports Massage treatment from a leisure horse to a top competition horse. As McTimoney and Equine Sports Massage treats the body as a whole it can identify and help towards ridden and behavioural problems as well as enhance performance, prevent injury and achieve optimum performance levels.

When does my horse need a McTimoney or Massage treatment?

If your horse presents any of the following symptoms:

  • Change or drop in performance
  • Irregular action
  • Stiffness
  • Unlevelness, especially behind
  • unexplained napping, rearing or bucking
  • Refusing fences
  • Changes in behaviour or temperament
  • Cold or sore back
  • Stiffness on one rein
  • Disunited canter/rushing into canter
  • Uneven muscle wastage/development
  • Sensitivity to touch, spasms in muscles
  • Recurrent lameness
  • Displeasure at being mounted, tacked up, working in an outline

These are just some examples please contact Chloe if your horse is suffering from a problem not listed here.

What can cause these problems?  

  • Acute trauma such as: a fall, slip or when being ridden
  • Poor saddle fitting, foot balance or problems with teeth
  • Demands in the selected discipline
  • Conformational faults
  • Becoming cast in the stable                         

What are the benefits of a McTimoney and Massage treatment?

  • Relief from pain and discomfort
  • Increased/back to normal, performance levels
  • Increased flexibility and joint movement
  • Enhance gait quality and range of motion
  • Improves muscle tone
  • Relaxation and decreased stress levels
  • Improves stamina and disposition
  • Improves circulation
  • Reduces tightness in muscles
  • A happier healthier more relaxed horse

How will my horse respond to the treatment?

Each individual animal responds differently to treatment. Many animals feel better straight away, moving freely and pain free. Others however, can feel tired, stiff or sore for a day or two, as the correct muscles have to be used again. All these responses are completely normal after a treatment and should improve once the animal returns to normal work.

How often will my horse need treating?

It is important to recognise when your horse has a problem, and get it treated, before it develops into something more serious, as it can prevent the horse from working at its optimum level. The amount of treatments needed depends on the horses' particular problem or injury and what discipline the horse carries out. If a problem has been present for a period of time where the animal has had to compensate, more treatments may be needed. Two to three treatments will usually be sufficient, following which a maintenance program is advised to help prevent problems returning. Maintenance treatments can be scheduled around your training program for example pre and post season to ensure your horse is in tip top condition. Maintenance treatments may also work out more cost effective for you as an owner as usually only one treatment twice a year is required rather than numerous treatments to correct a problem.

The number and frequency of treatments required will depend on the individual animal as factors such as age and general health have an influence on how they respond. Animals which are not showing any symptoms may still benefit from a treatment to prevent problems arising and becoming worse which may take longer to correct. Regular treatments are advisable to maintain future health, performance and soundness of the horse, these can be carried out 6 monthly, providing no other problems arise.

 

Chloe Williams BSc (Hons), PG Dip AM, EBW® - 07709 489840

Email: animalbacks@aol.com