Equine Mctimoney Manipulation - By: Tammy Patterson

Mctimoney manipulation for animals is a treatment that has been developed from a form of human chiropractic treatment; however under current legislation the term chiropractor is a protected term and refers only to the treatment of humans therefore Mctimoney animal therapists are not chiropractors. The treatment was developed initially by John Mctimoney who was a human chiropractor; it has been developed over the years and is currently taught as a masters level course.

You should always consult your Vet before manipulation or massage treatment as it is illegal for anyone to treat your animal without your Vet's approval. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 it is illegal for any person to treat an animal unless they are a Veterinary Surgeon or a paraprofessional working under veterinary supervision.

Mctimoney treatment aims to correct misalignments in the horse's bones, generally focusing on the spine and the pelvis. It works alongside and encourages the body's natural ability to heal itself.
There are many factors in a horse's day to day life that can cause misalignments (restrictions in the normal range of movement in a joint). They can occur if a bone is forced further than its normal range of movement. Causes include: slipping or falling when being ridden, in the field or when travelling; poorly fitting tack; poor foot balance; repetitive or strenuous work or compensation from an injury.

Misalignments themselves can cause further problems including muscle tension and impaired nerve function. As the nervous system controls all bodily functions, problems which may not initially be identified as being caused by the spine can recover following treatment. All of this will affect how the horse feels, how it moves and will therefore affect its performance.

When any Mctimoney practitioner treats an animal the process is always the same, the treatment is holistic and takes into consideration the animal's whole body. Firstly a full history will be taken to identify any potential problems or areas that are likely to need attention. It is important to think about any falls or injuries that the horse has had recently and any stiffness etc that has been encountered whilst riding. Next the animal will be assessed by a whole body skeletal check and a gait analysis. The assessment identifies areas of muscle tension and misalignments which indicate restrictions in mobility. Adjustments can then be made only where needed.

Adjustments are relatively gentle but very fast. The speed of the adjustment is important, it causes muscle reflex which encourages the bone to return to its normal position and operate within its normal range of movement.

Following a treatment you will be given advice on aftercare. This will be specific to the horse and what has been discovered during treatment, however will generally include providing a rest period.
It is not unusual for the horse to appear tired and lethargic in the hours or days following a treatment. It is important that they have free access to water during this time.

An aftercare programme should be followed for best results. The animal should be kept calm and have a period of rest or restricted exercise. How this is managed will depend on the horse, it can be turned out if it will remain calm.

Following treatment the animal will need at least one follow up appointment to determine the progress that has been achieved. Depending on what is discovered during treatment the animal may need a series of treatments, further advice regarding this will be given once the animal has been assessed.

About the Author

Tammy is a passionate horse rider who trys to advertise the correct ways to be looking after horses. Tammy works part time for a company who offer services such as Mctimoney treatment as well as selling products like champion body protectors and equestrian waterproof clothing in the UK. For more info, read our Equestrian articles

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