DO HORSE'S NEED OSTEOPATHY & BODYWORK?
Every horse will benefit from Osteopathic Bodywork... Why?
Because horses are living in a human world that we have designed for them.
They are being ridden (which I hate to stir a pot.. but they are not physically designed to do, and yet they so graciously allow us to do and enjoy doing with us in partnership), often they are ridden without understanding how to help them carry us with minimal negative effect on their body. But, whether a horse is being ridden incorrectly or with the best correct standards by a conscious professional rider, the musculoskeletal system, i.e. muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, joints, and spine, etc. are going to take strain and these need to be addressed if you want to keep your horse sound and happy.
The effects of saddles (ill-fitting or as they change shape over time), standing in the stall, restricted movement, eating in unnatural ways, playing (rearing / bucking), galloping around, and fighting in the paddock, hoof imbalances, teeth issues, travelling in a horse box, stress of competitions, riding on bad going ground, or out on an unfamiliar trail with gremlins in every corner and shadow, moving from yard to yard, herd to herd, and human to human, improper nutrition, being born (that darn birth canal can cause some serious somatic dysfunctions and imbalances in foals which can continue through their life), giving birth, stallions that cover mares, and mares that are being covered, and of course just general muscle fatigue and lactic acid build up are all re-occurring factors that are happening in a horse's life, that will lead to a horse requiring Bodywork on a regular basis in order to keep the horse happy, healthy and prevent more serious compensation patterns or injuries from occurring.
Most horses today are athletes, human athletes have strict bodywork (physio / osteo / massage / chiro) routines to maintain peak physical and mental health and performance, extend their longevity in their sport, minimise risk of injury, and find issues before they become chronic or serious.
Why would we treat our beautiful equines any less, when they do so much for us??
And for those beloved round little apple bum pasture ornaments... they may require less attention in this regard, but a good 3 to 6 monthly session will keep things working as well as possible so they age easily and enjoy life to the fullest.
Recommended Osteopathic Bodywork schedules for different types of Horses
* based on evidence from working with hundreds of horses:
For maintenance of general well-being, reduced risk of injury, improve recovery, calm anxious horses, and find and address issues before they become chronic, or create compensations, regular sessions, as laid out below, help us keep an eye on joint mobility, muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia, nerve, and spinal health.
Horse in regular Competition: Every 4 weeks (monthly) and when horse requires it for specific reasons e.g. Horse slipped on a turn, strained a tendon or muscle, or crashed through a jump
General Riding Horses (Schooling, Trail Riding, Lungeing, Groundwork): Every 4 - 8 weeks
Pleasure Riding Horses / Happy Hackers (Trail Rides, Groundwork): Every 8 - 12 weeks (2-3 months)
Horses with Acute or Chronic dysfunctions and concerns: A precise treatment plan will be discussed after the first session. However, generally 1x a week until we've gotten ahead of the *compensation pattern or somatic dysfunction, thereafter every 2 weeks until the horse maintains his re-established natural balance, thereafter every 3 weeks, and then to 4 weeks. Thereafter follow one of the above protocols related to your specific type of horse.
Paddock Princes and Princesses: Every 3 - 6 months.
** Please take any physical and/or behaviour training, stretching, and massage recommendations given to you for your horse seriously, this can speed up the time it takes for your horse to recover, re-balance, and heal. Likewise, take seriously any supplements recommended, or referrals to any of your horse's other professionals such as Veterinarian, Saddle Fitter, Dentist, Farrier, Nutritionist, etc.
*"Compensation patterns are alternative movement patterns that the body adopts to work around dysfunction or impairment in the movement system." - Brookbush Institute
Email:
info@equik9bodywork.com
Disclaimer:
All of the information on this site and before, during, and after your horse’s or dog’s session is not intended to replace Veterinarian advice, diagnosis, or treatment,
your Vet is the most important person in your animals health and wellbeing team and should always be your first call if you have a concern about your animal.
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