Osteopathy for your horse

… osteopathy can keep your horse fit and active

Horses and farm animals can benefit from osteopathy.

Many of the problems they suffer are similar to humans; they can sustain common back and neck injuries, muscle tensions, or ligament and tendon damage, which can be treated by osteopathy.

For horses, livestock and larger animals, I will visit the farm or stables but I also have a separate treatment room for smaller animals such as cats and dogs at my practice in central Norfolk.

Regular treatments can maintain strength, improve mobility and flexibility and even enhance performance in horses in a competitive environment.

I liaise closely with vets when treating animals – as a British Equine Veterinary Association approved practitioner – and refer on where necessary

My aim is to reduce pain and discomfort and enable animals to lead active, healthy lives. In addition I will offer advice to owners on how to keep their livestock injury-free.

Call me on 01362 858530 for treatments for your horse.

Equine Osteopathy

Whether a horse has been injured, operated on, or is simply suffering the effects of old age, equine osteopathy has proven benefits.

It can be used to treat muscle and tendon injuries, rehabilitate after surgery and ease aching joints.

Painkillers, joint supplements, and anti-inflammatory and cartilage repairing injections can be useful but osteopathy offers a natural solution through structured treatments and specialist equine physiotherapy as a safe manual therapy.

For the elderly horse, the health benefits go beyond keeping the animal supple and comfortable as treatment can also help with respiration by using a mixture of manipulation, soft tissue massage, fascial release techniques and cranial osteopathy.

Equine osteopathy can be applied to any injury, chronic condition or post-surgery.

Scar tissue - a tough fibrous inelastic tissue laid down by the body which has a poor blood and nerve supply – is a common problem but can be helped using articulation and soft tissue work which improves circulation and aids tissue repair.

If a competition horse is injured, or requires surgery, the speed of recovery can be significantly increased through osteopathy.

In addition to delivering equine physiotherapy and osteopathic treatments, I can also offer advice on schooling techniques.

horse treatment

Symptoms to look out for in your horse

  • Poor level of performance
  • Poor tracking up
  • Lumps and bumps after the vet has seen them
  • Reluctance to trot/canter, go forward/napping
  • Bucking, bolting, rearing
  • Resistance to come into an outline
  • Recurrent tendon strains/injury
  • Muscle spasms/weakness
  • Problems post falls
  • Uneven wearing of shoes
  • OCD elbow, hocks, hips
  • Stiffness in older horses