| Mctimoney manipulation for animals is a treatment | | | | the process is always the same, the treatment is |
| that has been developed from a form of human | | | | holistic and takes into consideration the animal's whole |
| chiropractic treatment; however under current | | | | body. Firstly a full history will be taken to identify any |
| legislation the term chiropractor is a protected term | | | | potential problems or areas that are likely to need |
| and refers only to the treatment of humans | | | | attention. It is important to think about any falls or |
| therefore Mctimoney animal therapists are not | | | | injuries that the horse has had recently and any |
| chiropractors. The treatment was developed initially | | | | stiffness etc that has been encountered whilst riding. |
| by John Mctimoney who was a human chiropractor; it | | | | Next the animal will be assessed by a whole body |
| has been developed over the years and is currently | | | | skeletal check and a gait analysis. The assessment |
| taught as a masters level course. | | | | identifies areas of muscle tension and misalignments |
| You should always consult your Vet before | | | | which indicate restrictions in mobility. Adjustments can |
| manipulation or massage treatment as it is illegal for | | | | then be made only where needed. |
| anyone to treat your animal without your Vet's | | | | Adjustments are relatively gentle but very fast. The |
| approval. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 it | | | | speed of the adjustment is important, it causes |
| is illegal for any person to treat an animal unless they | | | | muscle reflex which encourages the bone to return |
| are a Veterinary Surgeon or a paraprofessional | | | | to its normal position and operate within its normal |
| working under veterinary supervision. | | | | range of movement. |
| Mctimoney treatment aims to correct misalignments | | | | Following a treatment you will be given advice on |
| in the horse's bones, generally focusing on the spine | | | | aftercare. This will be specific to the horse and what |
| and the pelvis. It works alongside and encourages the | | | | has been discovered during treatment, however will |
| body's natural ability to heal itself. | | | | generally include providing a rest period. |
| There are many factors in a horse's day to day life | | | | It is not unusual for the horse to appear tired and |
| that can cause misalignments (restrictions in the | | | | lethargic in the hours or days following a treatment. It |
| normal range of movement in a joint). They can | | | | is important that they have free access to water |
| occur if a bone is forced further than its normal | | | | during this time. |
| range of movement. Causes include: slipping or falling | | | | An aftercare programme should be followed for best |
| when being ridden, in the field or when travelling; | | | | results. The animal should be kept calm and have a |
| poorly fitting tack; poor foot balance; repetitive or | | | | period of rest or restricted exercise. How this is |
| strenuous work or compensation from an injury. | | | | managed will depend on the horse, it can be turned |
| Misalignments themselves can cause further problems | | | | out if it will remain calm. |
| including muscle tension and impaired nerve function. | | | | Following treatment the animal will need at least one |
| As the nervous system controls all bodily functions, | | | | follow up appointment to determine the progress |
| problems which may not initially be identified as being | | | | that has been achieved. Depending on what is |
| caused by the spine can recover following treatment. | | | | discovered during treatment the animal may need a |
| All of this will affect how the horse feels, how it | | | | series of treatments, further advice regarding this will |
| moves and will therefore affect its performance. | | | | be given once the animal has been assessed. |
| When any Mctimoney practitioner treats an animal | | | | |