Osteopathy

What is Osteopathy?

The founder of the Osteopathy Dr. Andrew Still defned the Osteopathy as follows: „ Osteopathy is the scientifc knowledge of anatomy and physiology which can fnd application by the hands of a skilful person to help an ill or injured humans* which was injured by strain, strain, shock, falls, mechanical disturbances or different kinds of accidents. “

*Still was Humanosteopath, the defnition is transferable on the horses of course.

The purpose of an osteopathic treatment is the normalisation of limited motion sequences in the area of whirls and joints as they appear, for example, with "dislocated" whirls. Also the purpose of the Osteopathy is to treat not only the symptoms, but also the cause and to activate the selfhealing forces of the body. Besides, it concerns with the osteopathic treatment comprehensive, gentle, and very successful therapy form almost without complication.

When does an osteopathy treatment help my horse?

There are very different reasons for an osteopathy treatment:

- Prophylactic (preventive) treatment

- among other things training-accompanying measures for sports horses

- movement therapy for ageing horses

- prevention before lesions appear for every horse constant stiffness and contumacy against rider's support

- tact impurities - various forms of lameness

- rehabilitation: after operations, treated muscle injuries, after supplied infammations (Long, joints)

- false positions; better compensation - no removal!

- Problems of rideability: Tact impurity, lack of loose calmness, support, swing, problems with the straightening or the meeting ability

- Not explicable refusal in the jump

- bad posture: Head posture, cervical posture, back posture and tail posture at the work and in rest achievement

- low-pressure - area bad-possible taking up of the legs or a leg - dental crunching pain

- sign after the work admission of the training

How does an osteopathic treatment look?

To hold the psychic stress of a treatment so slightly as possible, the horse is treated in his usual surroundings.

A treatment lasts as a rule two hours and runs off as follows:

- Anamnesis: Preliminary report (use, posture, prehistory) inspection: General situation, exterior appraisement, conspicuities

- movement analysis: Judgement of the movement in the step in the hand on level ground, in the step, trot and gallop in the Longe and if necessary under the rider

- Palpation (Inspection): Conspicuities, irregularities with muscles, tendons, bones, teeth

- articular confrmation: Test of every single joint in the side comparison, test of the backbone of the washbasin and the sacrum

- control of the pieces of equipment (saddle, Trense, set of teeth) on ft and functionality

- treatment of the limited structures (joints, muscles, tendons, tapes etc.).

Together with the owner of principals the fndings and possibly other attacking measures are discussed. After an osteopathic treatment the horse needs 48 hours of rest. It should not be ridden in this time, but can "freely move (paddock, pasture way, walking lead), pure boxing rest is not necessary or even undesirable.