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Back in Balance Osteopathy

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Back in Balance Osteopathy

UK trained and qualified Equine Osteopath (and registered human Osteopath too!!)
Pain, stiffness, be
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05/12/2024

They say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. 2024 has been a crash course in lemonade recipes that’s for damned sure….! Days like today help tho, stunning venue, stunning ponies, amazing people!
Thanks to everyone who has been so supportive and amazing this year, you are all fantastic! 😘🍋🥂🌞🌸🦄

24/11/2024

Todays fashion disaster is brought to you by “where the hell did I put my work boots???”
Gotta love Mondays…. Right?????

22/11/2024

Got to meet some cool bubbas today!!! Meet Chip, son of Fish!! 😍
Best job in the world……

19/11/2024

Still available…. Butet pad, 5ft weatherbeeta combo, cwd boots
Everything else sold

Riding gear up tomorrow!!!

Having a sell up of my gear…. I’ll do it in bunches of “like minded” items, but here’s some pics to give you an idea… if you after anything in particular just message me.
Bridles, bits, saddle blankets, boots, riding and competition gear (including long boots) etc etc
I’ll make a list of saddle blankets and boots tomorrow……all top brands and great condition,

28/10/2024

Christchurch and surrounds…

I’ll be making some regular (hopefully monthly) visits down to your beautiful part of the world from Dec this year…. If anyone is keen to know more then drop me a line!!!

And spread the word 😎

10/10/2024

Possibly the highlight of my working life so far…….!! 😍🐖

06/10/2024

Another great day was had at Willow Farm in Murawai on Friday. The weather came to the party and the ponies all enjoyed some post treatment processing time in the sun! It’s so good to be doing a regular treatment schedule as the changes and improvements are very noticeable. Having such an amazing facility helps too as we can look at issues on the lunge, on slopes/uneven ground, we stay dry and there’s a kettle for a cuppa!! Also space for my treatment table for the riders.

I’ll be back up again mid November….

28/09/2024

LOVE getting feedback like this…. From the owner of a stunning WB showjumper I treated yesterday….

“Forrest looks amazing!! His back looks shorter.. his back is up, belly up. Looks like a strong jelly bean (that’s my terminology if you can visualise!!)
His trot is very fluid and forward now and his random head bob on the left is gone. Canter transitions are effortless and he’s such a happy boy!”

Brings a smile to my face 🥰

For context… lovely 7yr old gelding who is new to this owner. Has jumped to 1.30 but never “happily”. He had a HUGELY blocked poll and left TMJ. I could barely touch him around his upper neck to start with.
Left shoulder all jammed as a result and his hind end was hanging way out behind him!! Lots of diaphragm tension, flared hind ribs and a really yuk sacrum.

Slowly peeled back the layers and got an almighty big release in his left jaw and then everything just melted.

Amazing owner who knew there were some severe body blockages so has just been working him on the ground and gradually entangling him rather than “riding him through it” as people have advised…

LOVE working with horses and owners like this. Very excited about this one!

25/09/2024

Weekly round up! Was a busy day yesterday treating quite the variety of ponies- love that I can work on such a variety!
Started off with racehorses, then moved onto my fave big guy Billy aka Stallone K (show jumping stallion for those who don’t know), then it was off to do 2 eventers, a pregnant mare and an endurance pony!

So many different factors to consider, so many different biomechanical imputs to work with, some VERY different body shapes! Never a dull day doing what I love!

21/08/2024

The lovely Snapper processing a REALLY nice jaw and hyoid rebalance…. He couldn’t believe how different it felt !! The horses jaw can have a huge affect on many many other areas of the body, and in turn can be influenced by problems elsewhere, always important to check its functioning properly.

Was very good to be out and about in the DRY weather too, Lordy it’s been wild.

18/08/2024

What a weekend!

This weekend was spent expanding my brain in all directions! In 23 years of being an Osteopth this was easily the best course I’ve done. It was held up in Kumeu in some pretty spectacularly wet weather, thank god for lids!

It was a privilege to meet and spend time with the amazing Paolo Tozzi aka Yoda! Not only was it amazing to refresh some (heaps) of anatomy, neurology and physiology but also to listen to a passionate expert in the field and absorb all I could absorb!

From nostril to tail we explored treatment protocols, techniques, patterning and areas of dysfunction. It’s not often I get to share and practice with my fellow equine osteos, we did some pretty cool 2 and 3 man techniques (why use 2 hands when you can use 6!) thanks Emily King and Freya Scollay for laughs, ideas and general hilarity.

I’m so excited to put into practice the things I’ve learned, and it’s also re cemented in my head that I’m totally on the right track and to believe in myself!

2024 has taken a turn for the better!
There are some amazingly skillful and knowledgeable practitioners in this country and we should celebrate that!

14/08/2024

Ok, new destination time….. Sorting a Taupo trip, I have found a great base and just finalising dates (likely mid/end sept?) will also be a Friday. If you are interested please either comment below or PM me, or text! Also spread the word! I will take my portable table too and there’s space to set up, so anyone wanting a session themselves too just yell!(Will only offer this to people who are also bringing their horse)

Otherwise, I’ve had some local space pop up next Friday so Cambridge, TE Awamutu, etc etc yell out. Happy Thursday everyone…

12/08/2024

Just to avoid all further confusion, I am now BACK at the old clinic!! It’s been a massive roller coaster ride so far this year. I’m sure everyone knows by now that John and I seperated at the beginning of the year and I needed to have a bit of space work wise but we have sorted things out and it’s really good to be back working in a great clinic with all the other practitioners again…..

So, to book for humans you will need to go to www.cambridgeosteopathicclinic.co.nz

To book the ponies you still contact me directly!
Thanks for your patience! 😋

11/08/2024

Hard work, perseverance and patience. That’s what it’s all about. Pretty pleased with the improvements in Mac from a very weak, massive moving plank, to this! Still only the beginning of the journey but I just love unfurling these bodies!!!!!!! 🚀

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Cambridge
Waikato

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+64212418866

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Videos

The lovely Snapper processing a REALLY nice jaw and hyoid rebalance…. He couldn’t believe how different it felt !! The horses jaw can have a huge affect on many many other areas of the body, and in turn can be influenced by problems elsewhere, always important to check its functioning properly. Was very good to be out and about in the DRY weather too, Lordy it’s been wild.

When you move your horse onto a less churned up area of his paddock, and then watch him immediately churn it up 😐 Roll on summer.

For those that missed my amazing day at Hikumutu Valley Horsemanship - Kaipaki Horsemanship here’s the video again…. Beautiful horses Nz style…..

Who am I and what the heck do I do?! I’m Jo Stutton and I’ve been a qualified human Osteopath since 2001 and then did another 1 year post grad in 2007 to become a fully qualified equine osteopath. I did all my training in the UK before moving to NZ in 2008 with my then husband and our 2 boys. I live in Cambridge in the beautiful Waikato but travel regularly and am always happy to do new destinations for groups! To become an Osteopath I did a very intense 4 years full time study in anatomy, physiology, neurology, pathology, biomechanics and osteopathic principles and techniques. My equine study involved further equine anatomy training, dissections, equine biomechanics and techniques specific to the horse patient. My full “title” is Jo Stutton Bsc(hons)Ost PG Dip Animal Ost. Quite the mouthful. I love my work, I love unraveling the sometimes complicated “why” of what is causing your horses change in performance or behaviour. I will take a full case history including asking you about feed, shoeing, dental, tack and workload questions. I will look at your horse A LOT (infact from the moment I start yabbering with you I will be watching your horse!). How does he stand? Is he a fidget ? Is he super alert and panicked or half asleep? What do his feet look like? Is his coat looking healthy? What’s his weight like? How does he react to someone new around him? Any obvious conformation problems? I’ll get you to walk him up so I can see him move, I might get you to trot him, I might get you to pop him on the lunge, it all depends. I may ask to see him under saddle (less likely on a first visit). This is so I can assess his movement on the whole and also note how each limb is moving, the freedom in his stride, how straight he is, does he load up one leg more than the other etc etc. Next I’ll do my palpatory assessment…. I start at the poll and work my way down and along all areas on both sides. I’ll check his feet, check his teeth, move him this way an

Sooooo much fun today! Mac had a blast. Thanks @equisport_nz for dragging me along! Twas a hoot! #therapistsunite #changingitup #didntdoditchesthough #ottbsofinstagram

Up up and away on Macaroni airways!!!! Starting to look rather good!!!! #wednesday #macaroniponi #equineosteopath #gettingthebasicsright

Day 6653369 of pneumonia. Tried a wee foray out of bed to the kitchen table. Didn’t go to plan so here I am wasting yet another GLORIOUS autumn day in bed. Medical support dog is plugged in. Mexico SJ is on. Plotting my comeback……

Walk…. My most favourite of paces!! So often under utilised and “skipped” over so we can move onto trot and canter. Check out Macs huge relaxed swinging walk….. look at the rippling movement from hind end through to relaxed head nod…. Everything is working, everything is “swinging”. This is what I love to see. I always spend at least 10 mins walking at the beginning of a ride. It allows the horse time to warm up and loosen his back, find his balance, adjust to the weight of the rider. If you launch straight into trot the biomechanics are totally different… trot is a “fixing” movement…. Very little spinal movement in the trot gait…. If you don’t feel your horse is relaxed and swinging at walk, why ask for trot or canter? Use lateral movements, bend, changes of rein to improve suppleness and responsiveness. Use the time to let your own body relax and swing too…. Loosen your lumbar spine, relax your hips and lower leg….. relax your knees, roll your shoulders and BREATHE! Happy Thursday.

Shortcuts

A bit about me!

Being an Equine Osteopath is quite literally a dream come true. I have wanted to work with horses all my life. I initially wanted to be a vet, but decided I wanted to work with humans too and trained to become a human Osteopath. After graduating in 2001 I set up a clinic with my husband John(also an Osteopath) in the UK and then did a further 1 year Post Grad study to become an Equine Osteopath.

We have been over in NZ now for 10 years and moved to Cambridge mid 2018. I am mainly based in and around the Waikato but also regularly travel to Auckland and Taupo.

I have had great results working with gait problems, sore backs, fussy heads/mouths, digestive problems, drops in performance, post injury rehab, girthiness etc. Osteopathy is a fantastic tool as it allows me to treat not just the joints but the muscles, ligaments, viscera (organs) and fascia as well. I really enjoy treating horse and rider combinations- some really great changes can be had when you work with both!

I work on all types of horses and ponies from top level competition mounts, race horses, pony clubbers to retired family pets! Osteopathy is very safe and gentle form of therapy and I work only with my hands- no mallets, twitches etc.