Equine Osteopathy

A scientific approach to healing the whole horse

Article and photos by Karen Brown

Many techniques initially developed for humans eventually find their way into veterinary medicine. Among the modalities that have been adapted to the animal world is osteopathy. It was originally developed over 100 years ago as a means to detect and heal disease in the human body. The premise of osteopathy is that a living body is an inter-related entity with an inborn ability to maintain or return to optimum health provided that the structure, or musculo-skeletal system, is functioning within the boundaries of its natural balance. 

Virtually any discrepancy from normal function can be assessed in an osteopathic examination. The first rule of observation is that everything means something. 

Who Uses Osteopathy?

Olympic dressage riders and world champion cutters, ropers, and barrel racers are only a small segment of horse people who use osteopathy as a means to keep their horses in top physical condition. Indeed, these trainers and riders readily admit that regular osteopathic treatments have kept their horses winning at the top competitions in their sports. These horses are also competing longer and more frequently than their same-age counterparts. 

There are hundreds of symptoms that might indicate the need for an osteopath. Given the interconnection between the musculo-skeletal system and the rest of the body, it is quite common to have a lameness issue that is caused by a problem somewhere else in the body. Any type of persistent resistance or unwillingness to flex or bend is a sign that the horse could have a structural blockage. 

For example, a horse with a heavy parasite load will have a group of blocked vertebra in the thoracic spine. Another horse with an infection in any organ in the pelvic room will have a group of blocked vertebra in the lumbar spine. Horses with these kinds of visceral disorders will have difficulty moving freely, even when the disorder may not yet be detectable by clinical testing. Visceral disorders must be treated by a veterinarian; once they have been resolved, the osteopath manipulates any remaining structural or visceral imbalances. The horse then regains ultimate freedom of movement.

To read the rest of this article, visit our full digital edition by clicking here.

About the Author

Karen Brown is a freelance writer on all topics equine as well as a horse trainer and boarding facility owner in Bandera, TX. Her articles have been published in national and regional magazines over the past 11 years. Karen trains all breeds of horses, restarts problem horses, and provides instruction in natural horsemanship through lessons and group clinics. She may be reached at solitaireranch@indian-creek.net or 830-796-4764.