I'm a fully qualified and insured McTimoney Animal Chiropractor with an MSc in McTimoney animal manipulation.
I am based in Salisbury, treating horses and dogs throughout Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset
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Whats the purpose of a flash? To keep a horses mouth shut. Why is the horse opening its mouth? Most commonly, evasion of pressure.
Address the cause of the behaviour, not the behaviour itself because it really is counter productive and just causes even more discomfort that there is no escape from.
Why should you say no to a flash and a tight noseband? 👇 do you see that soft bone with no support? That's why. Now imagine a dropped noseband on that. 🫣
Pic screenshot from Henlea Equine Wellness
Event horses that had a lower total number of misalignments were more likely to be placed higher in a FEI 1* eventing competition. Further research of effects of correcting misalignments on performance parameters is recommended.
You can use a pole running under your horse from side to side for lots of movements.
Because the pole extends laterally away from your horse it will be in their eyesight. As the gap between the front and the back legs is bigger than left and right pairs of legs there is less chance the horse will step on the pole. To me, these are benefits of this pole use over your horse straddling a single pole lined up nose to tail.
You can approach it 'normally' and halt over it or step sideways along it. This is often called sidepass but the angle your horse takes can vary from a diagonal position in more of a steep leg yield to being perpendicular to it and your horse moving fully sideways.
I like this exercise for the horse having to organise their legs - balance and proprioception and when going sideways there is adduction and abduction - opening and closing the legs. And going both directions of course!
This movement is also carried out under saddle in Working Equitation competitions.
What do you think of it as an exercise in comparison to straddling the pole most to tail?
Pole straddle is often recommended for awareness of foot placement and to open up the leg position.
However for my horse this is a tricky exercise as he places his legs fairly close to the midline and the worries when he steps on the pole. Maybe that means I should do it more but it does create a lot of tension in him.
So for some horses I have concerns about using this exercise and how much they can see where their hind feet are. The walk pattern can be disturbed, changed into a 'waddle' as they negotiate walking forwards.
It's not a no from me but I don't routinely suggest it, it is a choose with caution exercise!
Have you used this and how did it go with your horse?
Dynamic warm up, range of motion, stability and strength - DME (aka carrot exercises) have lots of benefits.
This slide is from a recent webinar I recorded and it made me chuckle that my horse, Lider, has been my model for many years 😍🐴
Pole work. When to stop ✋ 🛑
Pole work can be a great way to improve your horses joint movement, limb awareness and strength but….
If you do too much it can be detrimental 😢
One simple way you can tell that your horse is tiring is if they start knocking the poles.
If they are knocking them a lot right away then it is likely that the poles are too high or the exercise too difficult for them at this stage.
If they are managing them fine for a while and THEN you notice the knocking becomes more frequent, they are becoming fatigued and it’s time to stop for a rest ✋
Walk your horse for a few minutes and try again. If the knocking has become much less then carry on with the exercise until it starts again. Then stop ✋
If after a few minutes of walking you return to the exercise and your horse is knocking the poles right away then that’s enough. Stop the session for today 🛑
Poles are a great tool but it is essential that you watch your horse very closely for signs of fatigue 🥱
SMART Advisor Focus: Sheri Pinkney
Sheri, regularly sees behavioural and physical issues with horses caused by badly fitting tack; knowing that unbalanced saddles can significantly affect the horse’s ability to move correctly.
Sailsbury based qualified McTimoney Animal Chiropractor, Master Saddle Fitting Consultant and Bit and Bridle Fitting Consultant, Sheri works throughout Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset.
You can book a SMART Test Ride or Refit with Sheri by contacting [email protected]
Or find out more about Sheri by visiting her website: www.horseanddogtherapist.co.uk
As our beloved canine companions age, their bodies and minds undergo natural changes that can impact their mobility and cognitive function. These changes can range from mild to severe, affecting their ability to perform daily activities, interact with their environment, and enjoy their lives to the....
Task: Walking small circles
Movement Opportunities: Walk • Rhythm • Spinal Bend • Coordination of Foot Placement • Balance
Turning and circles requires organising the body to match the tightness of the shape. Lateral spinal bend is not equal throughout each of the spinal regions. Total bend combines spinal bend with rotation and movement of the scapular against the ribcage, and tilting of the pelvis.
The legs on the inside take shorter steps than those on the outside. There is opening - abduction - and closing - adduction - of the legs in relation to the midline of the body.
The movement requires coordinating and balance, as well as timing of muscular contractions and lengthening in an organised fashion.
Using circles in warm up before mounting, as part of rehab and as part of a training plan is something I recommend.
Now available to fit SMART saddles in the Salisbury area 😃🏇
https://same-entrance-d65.notion.site/f5ec2a2c43764f5391e5e3320615bf5e?pvs=25
❄️ Myth Buster - there is a myth that "dogs have a coat of fur and can tolerate the cold better than humans." This isn’t necessarily true as like us, our dogs are used to the warmth of indoor shelter. Cold weather can be as tough for them as it is for us!
Put your best hoof, paw and claw forward for 2024 by having your animals checked by one of our practitioners. Click here to find one close to you:
https://mctimoneyanimal.co.uk/find-a-member/ #!directory/map
Rolo the miniature sausage dog was paralysed in his hind legs due to a calcified disc and with permission from his vet, his owner asked Naomi from Collis McTimoney Animal Therapy, a McTimoney Animal Chiropractor, to treat him.
Naomi carefully adjusted Rolo's neck and thoracic vertebrae on the right side, and his early lumbar vertebrae on the left but she didn't adjust the last few lumbar vertebrae and avoided pelvic adjustment, choosing to only do myofascial release around the hind end.
Rolo is now back to his normal self and is happily terrorising the other sausage dogs in his family! Naomi will continue to provide him with monthly maintenance treatments to help him live an unrestricted happy life.
Full case study: https://mctimoneyanimal.co.uk/rolo-the-sausage-dog-with-loss-of-hindlimb-movement/
Sausage Dog Central
A heartwarming story about a resilient alpaca named Crumble who overcame his physical challenges with the help of his dedicated owner, Anne, and Nikki Routledge McTimoney Animal Therapist.
Crumble's main issue was that his right hindlimb stifle locked, causing him to swing his hindlimb round and outwards from the hip. This was happening most days. Thanks to the help of Anne who tirelessly did polework with him, and his McTimoney treatments, Crumble is now able to walk normally, having learnt himself to unlock the joint with a couple of steps; he now thoroughly enjoys life with his herd friends. Read the full case study here: https://mctimoneyanimal.co.uk/crumble-the-alpaca-with-a-stiff-leg/
Meet Reggie, a wobbly dog who's not giving up...
Reggie is a 6-year-old Doberman who developed a swaying gait and lost his enthusiasm for agility. After an MRI revealed he had a neural disease called 'wobblers,' Reggie underwent surgery to resolve the issue. Unfortunately, the pins used in his surgery failed several months later.
Since then, Reggie has been receiving regular McTimoney Animal Association chiropractic treatment from Claire Lawrence Mctimoney Animal Therapist, which has helped manage the compensatory issues that arise from his altered gait. He also goes for regular hydrotherapy to help maintain his muscle mass and proprioception.
Despite his condition, Reggie is still able to lead a relatively normal life and even participate in a new sport called 'Hoopers' (dogs run a course of hoops rather than jumps).
Read more about Reggie's story here: https://mctimoneyanimal.co.uk/reggie-the-wobbly-dog/
Thank you to ZoomingPixels for their photography.
Vernon, the Most Unusual Cat...
We've all heard of McTimoney chiropractic care for horses and dogs, but did you know it can also be an effective treatment for cats?
This case study tells the story of Vernon, a 15-year-old Burmese cat who suffering from a lifelong health condition; he was diagnosed with a portosystemic shunt (liver shunt) as a kitten. Vernon's owner, Pollyanna FitzGerald, is also a McTimoney Animal Chiropractor, and she decided to use her skills to help him.
McTimoney chiropractic care is a gentle, non-invasive treatment that can help improve range of motion, reduce stiffness and pain, and support the nervous system. Vernon responded well, regaining steadiness and exhibited an overall improvement in his quality of life.
Read Vernon's full story: https://mctimoneyanimal.co.uk/vernon-the-most-unusual-cat/
Pollyanna Fitzgerald is based in Oxfordshire and can be contacted through https://pollyannaequine.co.uk/
Learn more about McTimoney chiropractic care for animals:https://mctimoney-college.ac.uk/
Meet Jeff - he's benefited from McTimoney chiropractic for Metabolic Bone Disease. Toppling over is no longer an issue and he's even been seen using his hind leg to scratch some loose head-shed!
Read all about it here: https://mctimoneyanimal.co.uk/jeff-the-bearded-dragon/ with Emma Chivers McTimoney Animal Chiropractor
HOW DOES MCTIMONEY CHIROPRACTIC WORK?
🐴 using high velocity and low amplitude adjustments
🐴 adjustments at specific anatomical landmarks along the spine and pelvis
🐴 induces a therapeutic response in joint structures, muscle function and nerve reflexes
🐴 once applied muscle tension dissipates, comfort can be restored, nerve impingement is released and optimal function restored.
The body has an innate ability to continue to heal, and the treatment helps to facilitate this process so the body continues to respond after the treatment has taken place.
Book your appointment today.
Follow the link or call 07904 541 251
Equine treatment £50
Animals, like people, can suffer from back, neck, pelvic and musculoskeletal problems, and can benefit from an animal chiropractic treatment by a trained
*Thoughts For February*
How many times do you see stated "French Link is a kind Bit"? Still on many Bitting websites, and taught (not on our Courses!)
When you look at a link on the tongue, with no contact on reins it appears to be flat. Now under contact, the link rotates, thin edge digging into the tongue, working angle (as in pic) This is NOT a kind Bit...
Funnily enough the Dr Bristol is much despised, but fitted correctly, and under contact, works as designed. The plate will sit flat on the tongue.
Also note French Link is not a Lozenge, or Peanut. These are something totally different in shape, and can be kinder under contact. But only if the cannon joints sit flat on tongue too under contact, as in something like an NS Team Up....
Note the grooves in palate, and the prominent one this Bit is fitted to, as per "Cobbett Groove Bitting Rule" (to be discussed later)
More info on our Courses, busting many Bitting Myths horsebitfit.com
Happy New Year to you all...
We're going to do a monthly post, to get you thinking on Bits, their mechanics, and if they actually do what you think! Bridle Fitting, how it can affect your horse. How something simple with fitting can affect your horse so badly. Busting many myths that are still on Equestrian Websites, still even taught by some (not by HBFA I hasten to add)
The posts will not be stating whether a certain set up is good, or bad. So the comments "well I've used this 25 years, and my horse is fine!" 😜 aren't needed. They are to make you think. Is this set up doing what I thought? Is there a simpler better set up? And hopefully help with issues you may be having. These posts are not for advice though. That can only be given properly after seeing a horse's conformation of mouth, and it's biomechanics when ridden.... there will be a link added for those needing a Consultant...
*Thoughts For January*
We'll start with something simple...
Hanging Cheeks (Baucher) DO NOT give Poll Pressure. In fact just the opposite, they relieve Poll Pressure. Many Bitting websites still state they do. It is still taught in many places they do give Poll Pressure. I shudder everytime I see this stated, and I've had Students who still think they do (not after taking our Courses though, they are left in no doubt!)
Mouthpiece suspended in mouth therefore less pressure on Tongue, or Bars. A very stable Bit. Also sit higher in the mouth than most Bits, when fitting to Palate Grooves, but we'll discuss that later...
So if you're looking for a basic stable Bit, relieve Poll Pressure, relieve Tongue and Bar Pressure, and Mouthpiece needs to sit higher in the mouth, because of length of smile, or other conformation of mouth (also discussed later) the Hanging Cheek is perfect...
https://www.horsebitfit.com/eaper---consultant-listings.php
https://www.notion.so/0e7e9b63fc774be699d1e07326db33b3
There are many potential hazards around our homes and gardens at this magical time of the year that may cause problems for your curious dog - here are a few to things to consider;
Fully qualified and insured horse chiropractor, dog chiropractor, saddle fitter and bit fitter working throughout Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset
🍁 Book your autumn checkup 🍁
🐴 McTimoney equine treatment
🐶 McTimoney canine treatment
🐎 Bit fitting
🏇 Saddle checks
For more information visit
Fully qualified and insured horse chiropractor, dog chiropractor, saddle fitter and bit fitter working throughout Wiltshire, Hampshire and Dorset
Anyone who owns and rides horses should watch this.....
The 24 Behaviors of the Ridden Horse in Pain is a film that dares to challenge the way we look at "badly behaving" horses, and promotes the notion that lamen...
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