Anyone had a bad experience with a McTimoney chiropractor?

Holly Hocks

Holly Hocks

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Just wanted other people's views on McTimoney treatments.
My horse has been out of work since about the end of September with lameness issues which turned out to be an abscess which didn't burst til end of February! I had a McTimoney out to her just before I brought her back into work long-reining out on the roads and for about seven weeks I've been long-reining her out - up hill and down dale - no problems. Happy horse and happy me. Just before I was due to get on her, I got the same McTimoney out to her who watched her on the lunge, said that her back was fine, there were no issues and spent about an hour with her. Said to give her the following day off, long-rein the day after that, and then get back on. So I did that, but when I long-reined her, she was carrying her head really really high, whereas normally she would be stretching forwards nicely. I then took her for a hack the day after the long-rein. I thought she was just a bit wired as it was the first time on in so long so didn't take much notice of her behaviour, although she did seem uncomfortable - you know the difference between high spirits and uncomfortable.
I then gave her the day after this off and then yesterday again took her for a hack early morning, but changed her saddle from the new Cair one back to the flocked one to see if that made a difference. She was significantly worse with the flocked saddle. We have to go down a very steep hill and at the top of the hill just as we started going down, she started throwing her head and cantering sideways - on smooth tarmac. It was quite hairy. When we got to the bottom of the hill, and back onto flat roads, I thought she might calm down, and she did a little. So I asked for a trot and she just bronced and did her best to get me off. I stayed on and carried on round the loop home, but she started broncing again - ears flat back and clearly telling me to get off or she would get me off. So when the episode stopped, I got off. I saw her visibly relax, asked her then to trot in hand and she was fine.

So my horse has gone from being a relaxed pleasant horse into an unrideable beast. Could it be that the McTimoney has done something which needs longer to settle down? It certainly didn't look an aggressive treatment and the person is held in very high regard. I like her a lot and I have to point out that this is NOT any criticism of McTimoney in any way.
I have spoken to my vet who has suggested an equine physio in the first instance and I have one coming out now but she can't get out til the end of April. I am not getting back on the horse until she has been seen by the physio. Last night I couldn't even brush her back as she was just backing into the corner of the stable, clearly very sore and irritable.....she normally has a wonderful temperament,
It is important to note that the horse showed signs of being unhappy last year - but only in the school - never out hacking. She would bronc in the school for no apparent reason and that's why I changed the saddle, which did seem to improve her somewhat. And we hacked for miles and miles with no problems.
Your opinions please - did I get back on her too soon after treatment? thanks
 
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My first thought is what did she spend an hour doing if all was fine and there were no issues before starting, if my physio says all is fine after assessment she will leave without charging if it is a follow up, or nominal charge if first visit and nothing needs doing.
You should have been ok to get on after a day off/ long reining day but there is always the possibility something else has happened in the meantime you are unaware of.
 
I think the first thing you have to bear in mind when considering Chiropractors of any kind - is they have been developed from and out and out charlatan - a guy who was little better than a snake oil saleman! In the beginning this guy made outrageous claims about the beneficial application of magnetism and when that didn't work he turned his attention to manipulating bones.

I wouldn't reccomend you trust a dead animal to one of these people let alone any kind of live one. If you suspect a bone, joint or skeletal problem - get them X-rayed by a Vet - not pummelled by a witchdoctor.

That said, I have one friend who does a lot of skydiving despite being a martyr to back pain ( though I think you'll find that parachuting and pain go together!) and he swears by his chiro - and cannot work the day after he's been.

So perhaps you horse is trying to tell you something.
 
I think I would be tempted to ring the McTimoney lady back and tell her what is going on - I have only had good experience with them but I know the lady we had said to ring her if any probs and she would come and have a look without charging for another treatment.
 
I don't know what the reason is, but I've only used one Mc Timoney practitioner, highly regarded locally and recommended by the vets, and she was excellent.
I hope you get to the root of the problem soon.
 
Holly Hocks said:
Just wanted other people's views on McTimoney treatments.
My horse has been out of work since about the end of September with lameness issues which turned out to be an abscess which didn't burst til end of February! I had a McTimoney out to her just before I brought her back into work long-reining out on the roads and for about seven weeks I've been long-reining her out - up hill and down dale - no problems. Happy horse and happy me. Just before I was due to get on her, I got the same McTimoney out to her who watched her on the lunge, said that her back was fine, there were no issues and spent about an hour with her. Said to give her the following day off, long-rein the day after that, and then get back on. So I did that, but when I long-reined her, she was carrying her head really really high, whereas normally she would be stretching forwards nicely. I then took her for a hack the day after the long-rein. I thought she was just a bit wired as it was the first time on in so long so didn't take much notice of her behaviour, although she did seem uncomfortable - you know the difference between high spirits and uncomfortable.
I then gave her the day after this off and then yesterday again took her for a hack early morning, but changed her saddle from the new Cair one back to the flocked one to see if that made a difference. She was significantly worse with the flocked saddle. We have to go down a very steep hill and at the top of the hill just as we started going down, she started throwing her head and cantering sideways - on smooth tarmac. It was quite hairy. When we got to the bottom of the hill, and back onto flat roads, I thought she might calm down, and she did a little. So I asked for a trot and she just bronced and did her best to get me off. I stayed on and carried on round the loop home, but she started broncing again - ears flat back and clearly telling me to get off or she would get me off. So when the episode stopped, I got off. I saw her visibly relax, asked her then to trot in hand and she was fine.

So my horse has gone from being a relaxed pleasant horse into an unrideable beast. Could it be that the McTimoney has done something which needs longer to settle down? It certainly didn't look an aggressive treatment and the person is held in very high regard. I like her a lot and I have to point out that this is NOT any criticism of McTimoney in any way.
I have spoken to my vet who has suggested an equine physio in the first instance and I have one coming out now but she can't get out til the end of April. I am not getting back on the horse until she has been seen by the physio. Last night I couldn't even brush her back as she was just backing into the corner of the stable, clearly very sore and irritable.....she normally has a wonderful temperament,
It is important to note that the horse showed signs of being unhappy last year - but only in the school - never out hacking. She would bronc in the school for no apparent reason and that's why I changed the saddle, which did seem to improve her somewhat. And we hacked for miles and miles with no problems.
Your opinions please - did I get back on her too soon after treatment? thanks
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My mare was sore after mctimoney for the first day at least, but admittedly she wasnt in work at the time! I should imagine shes just feeling tender...for at least the day after!
 
Are McTimoney practitioners chiropractors ?
I thought McTimonthy people work by seeking to influence the muscle fascia ?
Anyway OP a physio recommended by a vet is a good way forward .
I would not have the McTimonthy person back TBH.
 
1stclassalan said:
I think the first thing you have to bear in mind when considering Chiropractors of any kind - is they have been developed from and out and out charlatan - a guy who was little better than a snake oil saleman! In the beginning this guy made outrageous claims about the beneficial application of magnetism and when that didn't work he turned his attention to manipulating bones.

I wouldn't reccomend you trust a dead animal to one of these people let alone any kind of live one. If you suspect a bone, joint or skeletal problem - get them X-rayed by a Vet - not pummelled by a witchdoctor.
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Gosh, I do feel this is a tad unfair. Chiropractors (and Osteopaths) have to train (at their own expense it should be said) for years not months to attain their professional accreditation, plus have to do regular CPD (Continuous Professional Development).

And dependant on their qualifications/accreditation level, some are able to issue sickness certificates (when treating human cases). I know this because when I was having work-related musculo-skeletal injury issues a few years back, the osteopath who was treated me supplied with with a sickness certificate - which when I waved it in front of my work HR manager, made her go into a blue fit!!

Would agree tho' that best to get any issues looked at by the vet and X-rayed; and any chiro/osteopathic practitioner I am confident would agree........
 
Sorry, I couldn't face reading your entire post, it was too long for me, but I just wanted to say that I have had a McTimoney work on my pony's back and she has been fantastic. After two treatments she has straightened my pony's back and he doesn't need another check up for 6 months. She has given lots of advice on how I can continue to develop him and is on the end of the phone if I need her. I would happily recommend her. So no, I personally haven't had a bad experience, although my experience is limited to this one practitioner.
 
Cazza525 said:
I would hazard a guess that your horse is just feeling well. Perhaps go with a quiet companion for the next few rides! :)
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Definitely not the case - head tossing with her ears flat back and broncing is not feeling well. I enjoy riding horses which are fresh - if that was the case I would be happy - it was definitely pain

Metalmare - sorry about the length of the thread - I can type so fast that it takes me no time at all to type War and Peace!
 
Then in reflection, i wouldnt have the mctimoney practitioner back for your horse, more harm than good.

Go with a vet referred physio.

I am under a chiropracter for my back and feel tender for 24 hours after an adjustment.
 
I had a McTimoney lady out to ours purely because we did swoppsies for some other work she needed doing that my OH deals with. Also because it's my first horse again in ten years so I didn't know anyone locally and wanted our young ex racer checked.

I thought she was very good and our horse was clearly more comfortable under saddle post treatment. We had 2 treatments about 3 weeks apart then next will be in 3-6 months when we feel we need another.

In fact my usual Osteo was fully booked so I also got the McTimoney lady to do my back and again, very impressed and liked the fact she could correlate things to do with my body issues and imbalances to possible effect on our horse.

I would speak to yours and explain your issues and if she runs a professional set up I'm sure she would want to come back and rectify the problem rather than possibly getting a bad name unawares.
 
I've never had a problem, I would say quite the reverse. It might not be anything to do with the McTimoney treatment? Have you rang to explain what's happened? Could be that your horse rolled in stable & twisted something after visit.
When my McTimoney lady comes after initial check she doesn't do anything if all ok?
 
There are 2 kinds of McTimoney Qualifications. One studies full time for years.... the other attends evening courses for a few months!

I know which one I would not let anywhere near my horse!

OP, did you vet know your horse was initially being seen by the lady? If not, she has actually broken the law as no horse is allowed to be treated without veterinry permission.
 
I have used 3 different McTimoney Chiropractors. Two are useless and I havent seen any difference and one is brilliant and has completely changed how my horse goes and her attitude to life.

I think that the whole thing relies on who you use as much as what their qualifications are. I often question my McTimoney man on what he is feeling and why it is wrong, he if always glad to share information, so I can really feel the difference.

Maybe give the person a call and see what they have to say, if they don't want to take the call then don't let them near your horse again.
 
Sorry if I missed it in your post OP but did you get the cair saddle fitted before or after her lay off? The problems going down hill suggest saddle-related pain to me, and if horsey's been out of ridden work for that long she's probably changed shape and may need a refit? I'm aware problems also existed on the long reins after the McTimoney treatment so completely take your point something else is going on, but I would certainly be inclined to combine a detailed saddle check with any next check over. I had a horse who got very yampy on a steep downhill and while it may have felt like high jinks, it certainly wasn't: the saddle was digging in around the tree points and probably hurting a lot..!

In terms of McTimoney I've never had a negative result but I've had a fair few ineffectual ones.
 
I had a McTimoney lady out to my horse for the first time this week as my boy what done something in the field, looked like a pulled muscle. Was extremely impressed as the osteo I normally use is 2 hours away so to find someone close to home who has sorted my horse using many similar techniques as my trusted osteo - I'm very pleased. My horse was moving noticeably better after, and she worked for an hour & 3/4, was very knowledgeable & I'm a right critic so everything has to be explained & make sense for me to trust it.
 
I'm not sure that the problem is just the mcTimoney i think you get good and bad with all chiro's, physio's etc.
I had one out and can't say that she did a lot, apart from talking ;) My horse actually didn't seem to like her oops!
Was recommended by a respected trainer but maybe it's different strokes for different folks (excuse the pun).
I will be trying someone else if need be in the future but in the mean time i continue to massage her myself which she loves and keep an eye out for any problems.
 
Ring them in the first instance, and see what they have to say. It may be that she has unearthed something that needs further treatment.
 
philamena said:
Sorry if I missed it in your post OP but did you get the cair saddle fitted before or after her lay off? The problems going down hill suggest saddle-related pain to me, and if horsey's been out of ridden work for that long she's probably changed shape and may need a refit? I'm aware problems also existed on the long reins after the McTimoney treatment so completely take your point something else is going on, but I would certainly be inclined to combine a detailed saddle check with any next check over. I had a horse who got very yampy on a steep downhill and while it may have felt like high jinks, it certainly wasn't: the saddle was digging in around the tree points and probably hurting a lot..!

In terms of McTimoney I've never had a negative result but I've had a fair few ineffectual ones.
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^^^^^^^ I was going to say saddle fit too.
If you changed her saddle because she was not going well, why would you then use it again? I'd get the saddler out to check the saddles.
 
From personal experience, McTimoney on me, It is possible that they can trigger something that can affect for a long time. For me personally I had something in my stomach, thanks to a fall, that did some very strange things to me for over a week.
But the fact that she has gone from relaxed to head high long reining, and the fact that my mare has treatment, and at one point my practitioner said that reacted a bit much, and moved it back. That said that mare is highly reactive, and said practitioner has adjusted her over 3 treatments in a year from uncomfortable and roach backed to a different horse.
Speak to her, get her to check again, It may be that she has slipped, and it may be something is really sore after treatment.
 
I was a McTimoney sceptic, having used one that was utterly useless (although didnt do any harm, just didnt sort the problem). However, my saddler is also a McTimoney practitioner and she is awesome. What I will say about it is that it can stir up other issues, ie, if the back is sore it can show up hind limb lameness once the back is 'fixed' so it might be that your practitioner has treated the initial complaint but that complaint is a symptom of another niggle elsewhere.
 
No, never and we have always used the sameMcTimoney practioner for our horses. I know they can be a bit sore the day afterwards, and can feel a bit low, but the day after that are fine, and are ususally in high spirits. Our back lady, who is a McTimoney practioner is also qualified to treat humans, and she treats Mini TX and myself. She is also a grand prix dressage rider as well. We both always feel sore and a bit strange the day after, and I realise a horse's make up is different to our own, but there is no reason to expect they wont feel any different.
 
Does your saddle fit? If you have been long reining no problem and then the problem only occurs when you get back on it would suggest to me it is a saddle related issue.
I am a qualified McTimoney practitioner (the type that trains for years) and I would suggest you call the person that treated your horse and get them to come back out. If it were me that had treated and the owner suspected a problem I would come out free of charge personally.

That said I saw my own McTimoney chiropractor the other day for my pelvis and I was still sore about 4 days later, I think sometimes we can underestimate the effect that a small misalignment will have on the muscles.
 
1stclassalan said:
I think the first thing you have to bear in mind when considering Chiropractors of any kind - is they have been developed from and out and out charlatan - a guy who was little better than a snake oil saleman! In the beginning this guy made outrageous claims about the beneficial application of magnetism and when that didn't work he turned his attention to manipulating bones.

I wouldn't reccomend you trust a dead animal to one of these people let alone any kind of live one. If you suspect a bone, joint or skeletal problem - get them X-rayed by a Vet - not pummelled by a witchdoctor.
Click to expand...

I would be fascinated to learn where you had that history lesson
 
You really need (as others have said) to differentiate between McTimony practitioners and an equine chiroporactor who may be Mc Timony. The whole area is a minefield and over due for regulation - which is happening at the moment.

there are dozens of mcT practitioners out there claiming to be able to cure 3rd world debt and all ailments relating to horses, diagnosing and treating horses when they are really ill equipped to do so.(there are plenty also who are very capable and professional).

Then there are physios, chiropractors (not even sure if you can get a McT equine chiro qualification any more) and Osteos.

I do think as owners we should at least be able to tell them apart though. As said before one is a degree level qualification, which takes years to qualify for, the other takes months and you are eligible if you have your B test.
 
I absolutely adore my McTimoney lady, she is the only person that can keep my wonky shetland sound and happy, no idea what I would have done without her over the years.
I would recommend her to anyone, and have done several times.
 
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