CHIROPRACTIC FOR HEALTHY HORSES

Not everyone has heard of chiropractic treatment for animals. However, that's what I do. Dogs, cats and horses, farm animals, exotic creatures in zoos, and various unusual pets can all benefit from this gentle holistic treatment. I'm a McTimoney Chiropractor, qualified to treat both people and animals. Under current law, vets are not allowed to manipulate animals unless they are specifically qualified to do so. However, chiropractors must receive the vet's permission to treat any animal.

I have had a busy practice for many years on the Isle of Wright and have patients all over the UK and Ireland. Gentle manipulation The McTimoney form of Chiropractic is a gentle, effective and whole body treatment. It aims to restore the integrity of the body's nervous system. This is done by releasing and impingement by the skeletal bones on the nerves nearby by delivering a fast adjustment by hand directly to the mis-aligned bone. Following manipulation, I use various soft tissue techniques to encourage the patient's own natural healing process and to give some relief and relaxation. These misalignments happen either because of a trauma (eg falls, traffic accidents, general anaesthetic or severe illness) or more usually some form of repetitive asymmetry in action (one-handed circles in a walker or school, avoiding pinches from a badly fitting saddle, etc).

Trampus still canters!

While chiropractic can help when things go wrong, it can also help horse (and rider!) win competitions, and maintain health at better levels, as this story tells. At the age of 39, Trampus is probably the Isle of Wight's oldest working horse. Equivalent in age to a 100-year-old human, he still hacks out three to four times a week with owner Ann Greenhill. The expected lifespan of a horse is between 20 and 30 years and by the age of 17 most are thought to be too old for working as their legs begin to fail. This feat is particularly significant as Trampus was almost put down at the age of 15 because of serious foot problems.

Ann is convinced it is his six-monthly chiropractic treatment that keeps him fit to ride. He used to do cross-country courses, but Trampus is still happy to go on hacks. Ann said: "He often outpaces his 15year-old companion, who has to trot from time to time to keep up. In fact Trampy is still happy to canter!"

Vav Simon DC AMC MMCA MCC Isle of Wight Natural Therapy Centre for Animals, Aldermoor Farm, Upton Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight PO33 3LA

www.ntc-animals.co.uk