Exceptional and affordable osteopathic therapy for adults, children and horses!

 

Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment that uses hands-on techniques to address imbalances, restrictions and tensions throughout the body. Osteopaths work to remove these tensions (muscular, joint, fascial etc) to enable the body to heal itself, improve blood flow, reduce pain and improve mobility.

Equine Osteopathy uses all these same principles but uses techniques specifically designed for horses. As horses are such biomechanical creatures they respond very well and usually very quickly to treatment. Osteopaths in particular understand how a problem in one area of the body can lead to compensatory problems elsewhere and are highly trained to effectively treat this.

What can it help with?

Most people think osteopaths treat just backs, and while we do see a lot of problems in this area, osteopathy is certainly helpful for much more! Equine Osteopathy has proven to be particularly helpful with helping to improve:

• Gait / Tracking problems: shortened stride length, not tracking up properly on one side or other, reluctance to work on one rein (eg won’t canter on one rein)
• Reduced performance: knocking more fences than usual, less expressive paces, reluctance to engage hind-quarters, not making the tight turns in jump-offs, feeling generally not at their best.
• Head / Carriage problems: Reluctance/refusal to work on the bit, holding head to one side, leaning on one rein, “fussing” with their head.
• Changes in behaviour: recent head-shyness, buckling, kicking, rearing, swishing their tails when being ridden or girthed up.
• Maintaining mobility in older horses: very good for horses with arthritic conditions. It won’t cure the arthritis but is excellent at helping to keep them mobile and more comfortable.
• Pre / post competition work: like any top athlete, horses in competition benefit greatly from pre and post competition stretches and muscle work.
• Aiding in rehab after injury: Osteopathy can be useful in aiding recovery rates and is also useful to keep horses on box rest from stiffening up too much.

What does a visit involve?

The first time I come to see your horse I will want to know as much about them as I can: their age, how long you have had them, level of ridden and competition work, previous problems etc. This helps me to build up a good picture of the horses overall lifestyle and your hopes and expectations of them.

I will then observe them walking and trotting up and turning in tight circles. Depending on the nature of the problem I may also want to see them on the lunge or being ridden

I will then examine then from poll to tail and all the bits in between! After this and after consulting with you I will treat the necessary areas and advise you on any changes to their work for the next couple of days. I usually advise that the horse is given the next day off work, preferably turned out, as they quite often feel quite sleepy and tired after they have had treatment.

I do not work with horses under sedation and if I am concerned about anything or feel osteopathy is not suitable I will of course advise you of this after my examination.

I work only using my hands. I do not use needles, lasers or ultrasound.

Techniques I will use will include some of the following:

• Joint articulation
• Manipulation (when necessary)
• Fascial release workK
• Soft tissue massage
• Muscle stretches
• Trigger point releases

About me!

I was born and brought up in the UK and emigrated to New Zealand in 2008 with my kiwi husband, John, and our son Henry. John is also an osteopath, but only people, not horses!

I have been riding since I was 4 and have wanted to work with horses all my life. I particularly like working with young horses and working them through all their education! I have had some amazing opportunities to ride all sorts of different horses over the years and feel so lucky to be able to work with these amazing animals as my job.

I did my 4 year Osteopathic training in London and graduated in June 2001. I then did another years post-grad study at The Osteopathic Centre for Animals with the world renowned Stuart McGregor in order to qualify as an equine osteopath. I have worked on race yards, at riding schools and show jumping yards. This has helped me to better understand different levels of performance horses and to understand the particular stresses placed upon them in their particular disciplines. I have seen a great variety of training methods- some good, some not so good and how they have affected/enhanced the horses’ performance.

I love the variety of my work and that I get to meet so many amazing horses and people!