McTimoney Manipulation an Equine Chiropractic Treatment for Horses and Ponies - an alternative therapy
The McTimoney
method of manipulation is a holistic non-invasive treatment which uses
rapid movements with the hands to adjust specific points on the horse's
skeleton.
McTimoneytreatment may also involve soft tissue manipulation and joint mobilisation.
This chiropractic therapy is named after John McTimoney who developed and extended this technique of treating humans to animals in the late 1950s
This method, which is also used on humans, is a relatively gentle physical process. Most horses and ponies relax and enjoy the treatment.
Most horses can benefit from receiving McTimoney manipulation as the treatment can be used as a measure to help prevent injury.
It is a popular therapy with dressage riders for improvement of movement and suppleness in a competition horse
REASONS TO HAVE McTIMONEY MANIPULATION ON A HORSE
All joints in the horse's skeletonhave a natural range of movement. When this range of movement becomes restricted this can cause muscle spasm.
Over time this can causes ligament tension and loss of muscle tone.
The outward signs are poor co-ordination, uneven strides, unexplained deterioration in performance, stiffness on one rein, unexplained resistances, uneven muscle development and uncharacteristic changes in behaviour.
Misalignments and associated muscle spasms are treated in McTimoney manipulation by correcting the horse's joints.
This manipulation aims to help restore the full range of joint motion to the horse and relieves muscle spasm.
AIMS AND BENEFITS OF USING McTIMONEY MANIPULATION ON A HORSE OR PONY
The aim of McTimoney manipulation is to balance an realign the horse's musculo-skeletal system using light adjustments. This has the benefits of:
- Improved blood flow which stimulates the horse's lymphatic system to remove toxins.
- Improved muscle tone
- Prevention of muscle fatigue
- Relief of soreness and muscle spasms
- Greater mobility in the horse's joints
- Improved performance
- Improved suppleness and flexibility
AFTER EFFECTS OF McTIMONEY CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT ON A HORSE
After receiving a McTimoney manipulation a horse may be stiff, sore or may behave differently.
This is due to the horse's body adjusting to the changes made during the treatment.
It is usually reommended that you give a horse a couple of days rest after a session of McTimoney treatment.
LEGAL RESTRICTIONS BY LAW
McTimoney chiropractors can only legally treat horses that have consent from their veterinary surgeon.
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