Horses are susceptible to musculoskeletal problems due to the demands placed on their
bodies. Many horses, whether an elite athlete or a happy hacker, may suffer from neck, back or pelvic pain at some point in their life. This may have been as a result of a fall or injury, poorly fitted tack, an asymmetric rider, conformational faults or a number of other reasons. Either immediately or over time these misalignments can cause discomfort and may result in secondary issues. Some symptoms that horses may show include:
- Back pain
- Bucking
- Rearing
- Napping
- Jump refusal
- Incorrect canter lead
- Saddle fitting issues.
- Resistance to the contact
- Difficulty in lateral flexion
Left: A horse showing imbalances through the neck and thoracic spine caused by misaligned vertebrae.
Right: The horse immediately after receiving a McTimoney treatment.