Kim Clegg
BSc (Hons), MSc, MMAA
Horses
Why is it so important that my horse’s musculoskeletal system is aligned and balanced?
The musculoskeletal system of the horse has multiple functions, to protect the internal organs within, maintaining good body posture and to control and direct the energy within the body during movement.
The back provides the link between the fore and hind limbs, transferring the propulsive forces, provided by the hind limbs and the pelvis, forward. This requires the back to perform various movements such as dorsoventral flexion/extension (up and down) and lateral bending (left to right).
These movements require the whole spine to be free from dysfunction and tension in order to properly function.
The spine is made up of lots of individual vertebrae that form joints with the ones next to them. This is the primary area where spinal dysfunction can occur, creating areas of tension, nerve impingement and discomfort.
The aim of McTimoney chiropractic is to relieve these areas of dysfunction which prevent the whole spine from functioning freely.
What causes spinal dysfunction and the signs your horse might give you that it is time to seek help.
Spinal dysfunction can be caused by chronic, (long term or built up over time) or acute (short term) reasons. Possible causes of this can include;
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Repetitive movements – for example schooling in one direction more than the other, mounting from the ground all the time rather than from a block, pulling hay from a haynet (if they are stabled a lot of the time)
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Dental issues such as sharp teeth
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A fall or a slip in the field
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Trauma
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Lameness – as a result of compensatory movements
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Tack issues – horses can change shape during training, weight gain, weight loss etc.
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Riding on a slippery surface – causing a change in the way your horse moves
Signs that this has become a problem are;
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Rearing
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Bucking
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Napping
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A change in performance or behaviour
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Discomfort being groomed
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Disunited gait
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Stiffness moving away from the stable or at the start of a training session
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Stiffness on one rein
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Appearing cold backed (for example your horse might dip their back away when you get on, or this could be a more severe reaction such as refusal to mount or bolting when you mount)
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Resistance to tacking up or tightening the girth
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Reluctance to work in an outline (when normally able – does not apply to untrained or recently back horses who may not have reached that level of training yet)
The treatment process
Kim will start by taking a detailed history of your horse, this helps to understand what might be influencing your horses musculoskeletal system and therefore determine the best way to restore the muscle and body balance.
Kim will then ask you to show your horse moving, typically this will comprise of a walk and trot up, a tight turn left and right and a back up. Sometimes she may want to see you lunging or riding your horse if there are any particular areas of issue that are only present under saddle or on a circle.
Palpation or assessment of the skeletal system (neck, back and pelvis) helps Kim to detect areas of spinal dysfunction.
Kim will then treat and release these areas of dysfunction with a combination of McTimoney Chiropractic, massage, stress point therapy and stretching.
Kim will provide detailed and tailored aftercare advice that we help you to rehabilitate or maintain your horse’s body balance.