What causes these problems?

Trauma is often the most obvious cause e.g. falls, accidents, slipping, etc. Modern competitions often include tight turns, slippery going and twisty courses which put significant demands on animals. More subtle causes are conformation problems, such as long or weak backs, ill-fitting tack, excess weight and even dental problems.

Horses

Horses did not evolve specifically to carry weights on their backs and modern competition places even more strain upon their skeletal structure. In addition to the causes highlighted above other factors that could justify McTimoney treatment include:

• Falls/slipping off the side of a ramp while being loaded into a horsebox or trailer.
• Badly fitting tack - tight rollers, ill-fitting saddles or harnesses, tight brow bands.
• Sore mouths as this will cause the horse to work with the head raised and twisted or hollow backed to get away from the pain.
• Poor foot balance will alter the horses movement and put unnecessary pressure/strain on different muscles and joints.
• As well as falls and accidents horses can damage their backs by; getting cast, slipping on icy or smooth roads and yards.
• The rider themselves – if you suffer from back problems you may well be compensating whilst riding this can mean that uneven weight distribution through your sitting bones and therefore the saddle. shoulder/arm pain can create tension through the reins.
• Horses receive great benefit from preventative treatment - they are natural athletes and "fine tuning" helps them perform at their best.

Any underlying issues will also need to be dealt with for example getting the horses teeth, saddle or feet checked/treated. These will be discussed if necessary.

Dogs

In addition to trauma, including road traffic accidents, dogs can have problems from modern competitions e.g. greyhounds and agility dogs, and conformation e.g. dachshunds, Bassetts, etc. These include:

• Racing greyhounds running on tight tracks in one direction
• Agility dogs encountering difficult obstacles on tight courses and concussion from jumping
• Obedience dogs heel work always working in the same position
• Long-backed, short-legged breeds particularly when overweight

In addition life can be made more comfortable for dogs with a variety of conditions e.g. hip dysplasia, and osteoarthritis, whilst these conditions can’t be ‘cured’ through treatment dogs will often compensate for pain by taking increased weight in other areas of the body e.g. discomfort or lameness in the hind legs can mean taking more weight/strain on the front legs which can then become uncomfortable, by treating the compensations it can reduce discomfort in these areas and help your dog to move more easily. As mentioned previously veterinary approval will always be required prior to treatment as the severity of the condition and other potential contra-indications taken into account.