Equine Osteopathy
Osteopathy for horses takes the principles of Osteopathy used to treat to humans and applies them to four legs.
Our anatomy is very similar in its basic form, even though as we evolved to walk on two legs, certain structures have shifted and adapted. An understanding of how the human anatomy with which we are so familiar was adapted from the quadruped helps to comprehend the ways in which a horse can function at its biomechanical optimum.
Osteopathy essentially seeks to optimise mobility in the body, by removing restrictions and improving balance. This has the effect of restoring blood flow and uninhibited transmission in nerves.
Good perfusion keeps tissues healthy and helps in damage repair.
Horses, like us, can have physical problems. Consider how you would feel after running a race, or competing in any physically demanding sport.
You may feel stiff, have muscle aches, or be aware that ‘something isn’t right’ after having pushed yourself to the limits. Horses can have the same experience, although they cannot tell us how they feel and often the first signs of problems are when their performance declines.
Horses can pick up injuries whether being worked or just playing about in the paddock. These injuries can heal, but left untreated they may gather complications around the injury; tight muscles and
restricted joints develop as the horse adapts its movement to original problem.
Osteopathic treatment can help to resolve injuries and their complications. Techniques are used to relax muscles, free up restricted joints and to improve the mobility of the spine and limbs.
Osteopathy can help your horse to reach its optimum, to improve performance and increase longevity. Treatment is also helpful in the case of older horses who are starting to suffer the stiffness and aches associated with ageing of the joints.
