Equine Chiropractic

Animal Chiropractors are trained to assess and treat restrictions in the movement of the joints and muscles in the equine body.  These restrictions can cause pain and inflammation which will have an impact on how the nervous system functions, how the horse moves and how they perform.  Pain and stiffness will often lead to compensatory movement patterns, which will cause over and underuse of the joints and muscles.  Compensation is a slippery slope to further pain and possible injury.  

A well moving and restriction free horse by default will allow them to achieve their best for you.  Horses that are reluctant to perform are evasive, cold backed,  and can show a change to their usual behaviour.  Or simply it might be the case that they are ridden regularly and are therefore likely to have some biomechanical restrictions through repetitive stress.  In exactly the same way as the human body works, a small slip or trip can sometimes be all it takes to cause pain syndromes to start.  

Older horses will benefit from help too - muscles support joints and therefore keeping the musculoskeletal system in the best possible shape will help the golden oldies feel better for longer.  Those with known pre-existing injuries should always have regular treatments to help the system cope with the inevitable compensation patterns of movement.

Emma trained as a human Chiropractor, graduating from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic in 2005.  She then went on to train with the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association.  She has completed hours of post graduate CPD in rehabilitation, saddle fit, bride and bit fit, rider biomechanics and foot balance.  She is passionate about looking at the whole horse and also firmly believes it can sometimes take an army to rebuild and achieve the best outcomes.

The techniques that Emma is trained in are the same adjustment techniques used by human chiropractors that are adapted to be used on the equine.  She also uses a lot of soft tissue techniques and massage.

You do not need a referral from a vet to book a consultation, however if the horse is lame, or being seen for any other reason other than maintenance, veterinary consent is required.  Should the horse present with any new signs of lameness on the day of treatment, it will need to be referred back to the primary vet for further investigation before treatment can commence.  Sessions typically last around 1 hour depending on the case presentation.