McTimoney - the equine chiropractic sports therapy your horse would choose

By Colin Hamilton

McTimoney practitioner Colin Hamilton has a BSC Degree in equine sports science from the De Monfort University and qualifications in McTimoney chiropractic. He writes for The Equine Times this month, explaining more about the treatment.

After qualifying, Colin ran eventing and dressage yards, which gave him a wealth of experience in the equine industry. He was involved in producing top class horses and maintaining their peak health to improve performance.  

After meeting a fellow McTimoney chiropractor and having the treatment himself for reccurring back pain, he decided this was was the path he wanted to take in his career.  

Colin has been providing the treatment for over 18yrs and is qualified in advanced McTimoney chiropractic techniques and soft tissue work.

McTimoney for Horses – what is it about? 

With the increasing demands of the equine athlete, regular tailored equine chiropractic sports therapy is one of the best ways to keep your horse working at its best. Just like humans, animals can suffer musculoskeletal problems including neck, back and pelvic issues and may benefit from McTimoney treatment. 

McTimoney is a whole-body treatment using chiropractic techniques that helps to re-align and balance the musculoskeletal system. John McTimoney developed the approach in the 1950s, modifying his human technique to apply specifically to animals. 

The joints of the body all have their natural range of movement, but sometimes the joints become restricted which prevents full mobility. This can be seen as stiffness, decreased range in motion muscle tension and muscle spasm.  

The equine spine runs from the head to the tip of the dock and is made up of the vertebrae that all have their natural range of movement. The spine houses the spinal cord, which has a network of nerves that branch out from the spinal cord between each vertebrae and controls the body’s movement and functions.  

At its core, the equine spine comprises a series of vertebrae linked by joints, discs, ligaments and muscles.

These elements work in concert to provide stability, flexibility and a degree of resilience against the repetitive loads generated during locomotion. The spinal column in horses is supported by the entire musculoskeletal assembly of the back, with the burden of movement shared between the vertebrae, the spinal cord and its nerve roots and the surrounding soft tissues. 

Colin Hamilton.

Understanding the spine begins with recognising its major regions and how they contribute to movement:

• The cervical region (the neck) enables head carriage and neck flexion.

• The thoracic region forms the base of the rib cage and plays a critical part in trunk rigidity.

• The lumbar region supports the loin area and contributes to hindquarter power.

• The sacral and caudal regions bridge the pelvis to the tail, enhancing balance and flexibility during complex gaits.

• Overall, the equine spine therefore functions as a sophisticated assembly that must accommodate both stability and range of motion. 

The spinal vertebrae can often get stuck individually or in groups, causing a decreased range in movement and flexibility.  

If the spine is not aligned the nerve function is imposed and can cause muscle tension, pain discomfort and reduced function.  

As well as the spine, the whole body is assessed including the TMJ joint (jaw), pelvis alignment, shoulder balance, ribs and sternum.  

The McTimoney treatment aids to realign and restore the natural full movement of the joints. These imbalances, if left, can cause a multiple of issues effecting the horses balance and movement and can cause pain, stiffness, irregular gait and associated behaviour issues.  

When to treat? 

  All equines are likely at some point to have musculoskeletal problems. The more we ask of our horses, the more likely they are to have issues, just like human athletes.

In addition, misalignments may be caused by acute problems such as a slipping, tripping or falling. Chronic, long-term issues may include previous or current ill-fitting saddles, hoof imbalances, dental issues, conformational stresses and rider imbalances. 

Because McTimoney looks at the whole body its uses and benefits are widespread - not only can numerous ridden and behavioural problems be helped but McTimoney is a beneficial way to enhance performance, prevent injury, aid exercise recovery rates and achieve optimum performance.   

What Should You Look for? 

• Asymmetries, such as stiffness on one rein.

• Unexplained deterioration in usual performance.

• Lack of impulsion, struggling to work through from behind, unwillingness to go forward, not covering the ground.

• One limb having a greater range of motion than the other.

• Unwilling to extend.

• Refusing at jumps, frequently knocking jumps down, reluctance to jump through combinations or over spreads, not travelling through the air.

• Rushing into canter, going disunited, striking off incorrectly or bunny hopping.

• Stumbling/tripping.

• Sore or cold backed.

• Uneven pressure from saddle or the saddle slipping to one side.

• Unexplained resistance, such as napping, rearing, refusing, bucking etc.

• Uneven muscle development or atrophy.

• Stiff or un-level, either in front or behind.

• Behavioural changes.

• Uneven wear of shoes, frequently losing the same shoe.

The benefits of McTimoney for horses 

  Sports Therapy using equine McTimoney chiropractic techniques can go a long way in alleviating, preventing and treating such problems. It also provides:

• Increased flexibility and joint movement and mobility 

• Increased stride length and evenness 

• An increase in muscle elasticity 

• Improved co-ordination 

• An increase in muscle elasticity 

• Encouraging healthy circulation 

• Relaxation and a decrease in stress levels 

• Relief from discomfort 

• Increased rate of healing 

• Quicker recovery from exercise 

• A decrease in post-exercise muscle soreness 

• Helps to prevent muscle strain 

• Provides excellent pre and post exercise stretches/exercises 

When to treat? 

Most of my clients book their horses in for a treatment every three months. Regular treatments help to maintain the horse in peak performance but also prevent problems futher down the line through injury.  

A horse with a chronic issue may need treatments closer together with the ultimate aim to get on to a three monthly treatment program. 

The treatment of animals is currently regulated under the Veterinary Act and as a fully trained and qualified McTimoney chiropractor, I work closely with vets to ensure a safe, appropriate and effective treatment.