to use this opportunity to have a McTimoney treatment and get your horse's back in tip-top shape before you start to work him harder in the spring.
McTimoney Animal Practitioners assess where there are asymmetries within the equine spine and pelvis, and treatment of these key areas allows the skeletal frame to function evenly on both sides again. Many riders have felt the benefits of McTimoney treatment on their horses with improvements in flexibility on both reins, rather than their horse always working better in one direction than the other. Another common issue riders face is difficulty with cantering on one lead in particular, which is often related to asymmetry of the pelvis and improves markedly after McTimoney treatment. If a habit pattern is well established, it can take a couple of treatments and a short period of re schooling for your horse to realise his improved flexibility, but winter is a prime time to rehabilitate your horse's movement
patterns. With a straighter,
more comfortable horse, you
are ready to face 2014 a step
ahead of everyone else!
Endurance rider, Karen Jones
has always favoured the
McTimoney approach for all
her horses. Having competed
internationally with three of her horses, Karen is emphatic about their training and straightness. Karen says "I can clearly remember the first time I had my International horse Mellow Jazz treated using McTimoney; I couldn't believe how relaxed he became. He almost looked sedated, but when I rode him a couple of days later I could definitely feel an improvement in his movement. I have used a local McTimoney Animal Practitioner on all my horses since then and I try to maintain a regular treatment programme to ensure that any slight stiffnesses are dealt with while they are still mild. Endurance demands a lot in terms of stamina and
resilience so a slight stiffness can build into a major issue and even lameness if left untreated. I use my winter training to progress the horses' schooling and have regular lessons so the McTimoney treatments fit in well to maximise the improvements I am trying to make."
For more information on the McTimoney College go to www.mctimoney-college.ac.uk or to find your local McTimoney Animal Practitioner go to www.mctimoney-animal.org.uk
"I can clearly remember the first time I had my International horse Mellow Jazz treated using McTimoney; I couldn't believe how relaxed he became"
Endurance Rider Karen Jones
Karen Jones
Image credit Colin Davidson
44 December 2013, Issue 3 www.everythinghorseuk.co.uk www.everythinghorseuk.co.uk December 2013, Issue 3 45