EQUINE THERAPY

The aims of therapy include:

• Achieving optimum performance
• The treatment of musculo-skeletal problems or 'dysfunctions' 
• To help a horse recover from pain and injury
• To re-educate the body to move or function normally
• Enhancement of general well-being and quality of life 
• Dealing with stress and emotional problems
• Addressing behavioral issues

The following are some of the conditions that can be helped by therapy:

• Back pain, stiffness and dysfunction
• Neck pain, stiffness and dysfunction
• Pelvic pain, dysfunction, asymmetry
• Sacroiliac pain and dysfunction
• Soft tissue problems: muscle spasm, muscle tightness, muscle/tendon strain, sore/bruised muscles, muscle atrophy

• Improving way of going and addressing gait abnormalities
• Improving and maintaining range of movement and muscle tone
• Postural problems
• Behavioral issues
• Routine checks and maintenance

Naturally Better offers far more than just "physical" therapy, also working on an "energetic" level with  an understanding of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), working on the physical, mental and emotional aspects as appropriate to each client.

This approach may be beneficial for:

• Stress related problems
• Behavioral issues
• Anxiety and fear
• Dealing with trauma

I work to achieve the above objectives by applying appropriate combinations of the following:

 Animal (Veterinary) Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy also involves massage and mobilisation, and includes the use of Physiotherapy Equipment.

Massage aims to:  

• Increases blood flow, bringing oxygen and healing nutrients to the tissues
• Relaxes the muscles, reduces spasm, inflammation and stiffness
• Can mobilise scar tissue and adhesions

Mobilisation (Stretching) aims to:

• Lengthen muscles, capsules and ligaments/ restoring normal muscle length 
• Rehabilitation – restoring function and movement 
• Gaining efficiency of movement 
• Avoiding stiffness related to age or inactivity 
• Protecting from stresses and strains 
• Enhances nutrition to all local tissues 
• Reduces lactic acid for post exercise related soreness

Physiotherapy Equipment:     

• Phototherapy (Red and Blue Light - also sometimes known as LASER)
• Photizo Red Light and InfraRed  
• Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy
• Ultrasound (Longwave)
• Electrotherapy (TENS, Interferential Therapy, Muscle Stimulation, Microcurrent)

In optimum conditions nature will heal an injury in a particular time span. However, for many reasons, conditions are not always optimum and injuries will take longer to heal than nature intended or at worst may not heal at all. The aim of physiotherapy is to optimize these conditions so that the body can heal the injury in its natural time span.

Physiotherapy may help:

• Reduced acute and chronic inflammation, allowing correct healing to take place
• Assist wound repair to minimize scarring and proud flesh, fight bacterial regeneration
• Assist in the healing of tendon and ligament problems:  Ruptured tendons and ligaments of the legs and joints
• Orthopedics:  Optimize repair of fractures both normal and non-union
• Help to ease pain in arthritic and diseased joints and potentially slow down further degeneration

Key to physiotherapy is the prescription of exercise and rehabilitation programmes to maximise effectiveness of treatment.  These are fully explained and demonstrated where appropriate and tailored to individual needs and may include using equipment such as: 

• Pessoa or equivalent lunging aids
• Therapy-bands
• Raised poles, pole work
• specific graduated exercise programmes

Various equipment is available to hire or trial as appropriate

 McTimoney-Corley Spinal Therapy - (Animal Manipulation)

In human terms, this therapy would be understood as "chiropractic".    

It is not correct to use this term for animal treatment and I am not a human Chiropractor. 

Working with animals, this therapy is referred to as "Manipulation".

Manipulation (Adjustments or "High Velocity Manual Thrusts")

Adjustments are applied to specific articulations or anatomic regions to induce a therapeutic response by causing changes in joint structures, muscle function or nerve reflexes, with the aim of:

• Correcting dysfunctions in the musculo-skeletal system  
• Decreasing muscle tension and improving flexibility
• Increasing mobility and flexibility 
• Improving symmetry in pelvic motion patters 
• Increasing mechanical pain thresholds   

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy.

Fascia is the connective tissue that runs throughout the body.  It covers everything inside the body, muscles, bones, organs, everything.  Working on the fascia therefore can have significant effects throughout the body.   

The techniques involve gently and slowly manipulating and stretching the fascia to improve blood flow and hydration and break down any adhesions, allowing the fascia to move and function correctly.   

Myofascial Release may help with  

• Pain and discomfort – often where it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause 
• Restoring alignment and mobility to the joints 
• Improving coordination and strength 
• Improve neuromuscular function 
• Elongating shortened connective tissues, restoring functional movement

Reiki with Animals

Reiki is a Japanese word meaning Universal Life Energy, an energy which is all around us.

Reiki is the name given to a system of natural healing which was developed Dr Mikao Usui in Japan based on many years of study, research and meditation. 

There is no belief system attached to Reiki and Reiki is not a 'religion' or 'spiritual' practice.

Reiki is a simple yet effective method of working with energy which involves using the hands to channel energy through the body in order to bring about healing.  Reiki is a non-invasive therapy.

Horses appear to be particularly sensitive to Reiki and seem to enjoy treatments greatly.

Reiki can help with

• Emotional and Physical issues
• Pain and stiffness 
• Injury healing and recovery from illness
• Stress, nervousness, anxiety, trauma and behavioral problems
• Digestive problems
• Skin problems

Acu-Pressure ("Acupoint Therapy")

Acupressure works in line with Traditional Chinese Medicine and involved light pressure applied to specif points along "meridians", the body's energy channels.  

This works in the same way as acupuncture but using fingertip pressure instead if the insertion of needles.

Acupressure can

• Release endorphins helping to reduce pain
• Release natural cortisone and reduce inflammation
• Release muscle spasm
• Remove toxins and increase blood flow
• Build the body's immune system

Acupressure works on the body's meridians, clearing problems and achieving balance.

Port Lewis Impression Pad

Having a correctly fitting saddle is so important.  Often, the problems and issues being experienced by the client and horse seem to be related to the saddle fit. 

I am often asked by clients to have a look at a saddle and give an opinion as to whether it fits their horse, or to consider whether the saddle may be a contributing factor to the problem being treated.

I am not a saddle fitter and never claim to be, if I look at a saddle and have any doubts about it I will always recommend my client refer back to their saddler for professional advice.   The Port Lewis Impression Pad just allows us to gather more information to help resolve any problems.

The Port Lewis Impression Pad is placed under the saddle whilst the client rides for approx 30mins, then we can clearly see what is happening under the saddle.

Qualifications / Affiliated Bodies / Regulated Bodies

Member of The International Association of Animal Therapists

Graduated -  The College of Animal Physiotherapy with Diploma in Animal (Equine) Physiotherapy

 Member of the Association of McTimoney-Corley Spinal Therapists 

Graduated with Distinction - Oxford College Of Equine Physical Therapy

(McTimoney-Corley Spinal Therapy / Animal Manipulation)

NOTE:  I am no longer maintaining my registration on the OCEPT Graduate Register. My OCEPT Qualifications can be validated by the AMCST and IAAT

Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage

Graduated with Distinction from Institute of Traditional Herbal Medicine and Aromatherapy:

 - Therapeutic Massage

 - Clinical Aromatherapy

 - Oriental Medicine

 - Anatomy and Physiology & Clinical Science

Reiki Master & Teacher, Advanced Equine Reiki Practitioner,  Reiki Evolutions Listed Practitioner

 Certificate Courses:

Holistic Saddle Fitting

Equine Myofascial Release & Cranial Techniques  

Acupoint Therapy

Important Information

Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966

It is illegal for any person to treat an animal unless they are a veterinary surgeon or a “paraprofessional” covered by the Veterinary Surgeons (Exemptions) Order 1962.   Wendy Vaughan is classed as a paraprofessional by the Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962 and is allowed to practice with the prior consent of the animal’s veterinary surgeon.

Therefore a veterinary referral or confirmation that veterinary permission has been given before treatment is a requirement.

Chiropractors Act 1994

Wendy Vaughan is a graduate of The Oxford College of Equine Physical Therapy and practices McTimoney-Corley Animal Manipulation, sometimes referred to as "spinal therapy".   Whilst Wendy practices some therapies with people, she is not a human Chiropractor and is not registered with the General Chiropractic Council.   Animal practitioners are not able to join the GCC as it is only concerned with human treatment. Only members of the GCC can call themselves Chiropractors.  The use of McTimoney-Corley to describe the animal treatment DOES NOT imply that Wendy Vaughan is a Chiropractor.

General

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided in this site is accurate. It is not the intention of to misinform or mislead anyone.

Insurance

Appropriate insurance is carried for all therapies offered