• About Equine Osteopathy

Equine osteopathy follows the same principles as human osteopathy i.e. ‘structure governs function’. If the structure of the horse is sound, it should function perfectly. This tenet of osteopathy is not difficult to understand; what is difficult is to achieve this situation!

From a musculoskeletal viewpoint, any area of stiffness, weakness or immobility will obviously affect the horse’s performance. A common osteopathic observation, both in humans and in horses, is that the area which is complaining is not necessarily the cause: e.g. a horse’s pelvic problem may indeed be caused by problems further up the spine or in the hip or foot, problems which have predisposed the pelvis to insult. Treating the pelvis is one thing, but unless the other problems are considered and dealt with, complete resolution of the pelvic problem may not be achieved.

My particular focus and interest is to work closely with owners to achieve optimum functioning in the horse. This involves manual treatment to improve flexibility and the devising, with the owners, of complimentary stretching and strengthening exercises, specific for the needs of their horse.