EQUINALYSIS AUSTRALIA

Treatment

Each session commences with an assessment of the whole animal. Sophie takes a thorough case history, with details of current and any past injury, change in behaviour and an impression of the animal's exercise pattern and general lifestyle.

In the static assessment, Sophie looks for areas of musculoskeletal asymmetry or abnormalities. This is followed by an evaluation of the animal's gait. The whole assessment allows Sophie to build a picture of the animal's health and identifies any problems. The assessment also allows Sophie to identify which treatment techniques are most appropriate for the animal.

McTimoney animal manipulation is a non-invasive physical therapy that realigns and balances the animal's musculoskeletal system. John McTimoney developed the technique in the 1950s, modifying his human chiropractic technique to apply specifically to animals. The treatment can help relieve an animal's pain and restore movement after they've injured themselves. In the vast majority of cases, horses present suffering an injury due to a trauma such as an accident, fall, bump or collision. However, problems can also be caused due to issues such as poor foot balance, incorrect saddle fitting, pregnancy and foaling, compromised diet, rider imbalance, dental pain and muscle weakness.

After an injury, either sudden ("acute") or longstanding ("chronic"), your horse will compensate by moving differently. Muscles tighten, often on a diagonal, and can pull a joint in the spine or pelvis out of line with its neighbours. Even in normal day-to-day activities, the animal's skeleton is placed under stress, which can cause misalignments, musculoskeletal imbalance and sometimes neurological problems.

Sophie will rely on the owner/trainer or rider/driver observations to recognise when their horse is in pain, or showing signs of discomfort.

As a guide owners should consider seeking treatment it the horse shows signs of:

Sore or cold backs, uneven pressure from saddles or the saddle slipping to one side
Unexplained deterioration in usual performance
Asymmetry, such as stiffness on one rein, or a disunited canter
Unexplained resistances, such as napping, rearing, refusing, bucking, etc.
Uneven muscle development or atrophy
Lameness after a fall or accident where alternative causes have been ruled out
Uncharacteristic changes in behaviour, performance or temperament
Irregular action while moving
Rehabilitation after acute trauma following referral from veterinary treatment

McTimoney animal manipulation consists of rapid, accurate thrusts applied to misaligned joints. These gently, and usually painlessly, release muscle spasm and allow the joint to return to its normal position without forcing or stressing the joint or the body.

REMEDIAL & SPORTS MASSAGE

To complement the chiropractic treatment massage plays an important role in prevention or relief of stress, decrease muscle damage and identifying any injury of the musculoskeletal system. By introducing massage techniques at the beginning and end of the treatment it allows the horse to respond positively. It also aids in the release of toxin build-up, and increases oxygen which in turn increases metabolism and shortens recuperation time. Identifying any abnormalities or asymmetry within the body requires a tailor made rehabilitation programme or continued physical therapy for the owner/trainer or rider/driver to follow.

Remedial massage is used to assist in horse behaviour management, and reduce tension related to the environment, physiological and emotional factors. In addition to any muscular soreness the horse may have related clinical pathologies such as arthritis and past injuries. Sports massage will help to prepare a horse for work, assist in recovery from exercise, and to treat any sport related muscular impairment between work sessions.

AFTERCARE

After treatment, the healing process continues for a few days. Sophie provides aftercare by advising the owner or trainer an appropriate stretching regime and/or exercise program. This means the owner can continue the rehabilitation process.

Some animals may require several treatments, depending on the nature of the problem. However, it is recommended that all animals receive regular check-ups to maintain optimum performance and health and as a preventative measure.