All McTimoney-Corley Animal Spinal Therapists should request that you ask your vet's permission first. You may be asked to sign a disclaimer to say that you have done this - this is both for your animal's and the practitioner's protection.

On arrival the Spinal Therapist will ask a wide variety of questions, regarding any worries, concerns or problems you have experienced in relation to your animal.

It is likely that they will request to see your animal move at walk and/or a faster pace, to identify any lameness and possible gait abnormalities.

The Spinal Therapist will then begin to examine your animal more thoroughly firstly to identify any abnormalities e.g., lumps, bumps, old injuries, muscle wastage etc. They will then use their palpation skills to feel for muscle tension, spasms, pain and skeletal misalignments in the spinal area. Besides palpating the spine, they will also check joints for appropriate range of motion.

The Spinal Therapist will then begin to apply appropriate manipulation adjustments. These adjustments help to relieve pressure on the nerves, free-up muscle tension/spasm and enable re-alignment of the spine, thereby reducing pain. This allows the body to function normally, to its optimum, so it is free to heal itself.

What are the advantages of a treatment  

Animal Spinal Therapists have many positive offerings, helping the body restore itself to normal without the use of drugs or surgery. Equine spinal core is essential for the trainer who wants that advantage on the track, for the weekend equestrian who wants a smoother ride and the dressage competitor who requires more flexibility.

Horses
Whilst horses are strong and capable of carrying us, they have to contend with us being at a 90 degree angle on top of them. We then ask them to jump for us, run races, work in collection and dance to music. Ill-fitting saddlery, injury through trauma, stress and over-exertion through performance, digestive upset, illness, joint problems, disease, bad shoeing and dentistry are also some other examples that can lead to back problems. The wearing of head collars can often cause neck injuries, especially if the head collar doesn't break (nylon) in a panic situation.

How do I know if my animal has a back problem?

Animals can regularly exhibit the following behaviours or problems as a result of experiencing back pain: 

Horses

Intermittent lameness. 

Jumping fast and flat over fences instead of basculing properly, or uncharacteristically starting to refuse altogether. 

Unwillingness to work on the bit, or on a circle and hollowing the back. 

Reluctance or inability to stike off on the correct leading leg in canter. 

Reduced impulsion from behind, sometimes dragging the toes. 

Becoming aggressive e.g., bucking, rearing, kicking or biting in order to avoid being ridden. 

Showing reluctance or sensitivity to being saddled and/or bridled, and not wanting to stand still whilst being mounted. 

Displaying signs of misery and/or depression and a general overall reduction in performance. 

Treating all horses from family ponies to top performance athletes in all disciplines.