Cost of Equine Chiropractor?

[trixyandned1]

Just had a bill through from the chiropractor who came out to see my horse for the first time. £95! Which I thought was very steep considering they didn’t do much at all and probably were only with the horse for 20 minutes.
I stupidly didn’t discuss the fee beforehand as they were recommended by someone I know. Am I just being an old Scrooge or is that a normal fee?

 

[Dave's Mam]

My McTimoney is £60 & usually with him for over an hour.
Was yours looking for a specific issue, or a referral?

 

[lynz88]

My McTimmoney is £70 if I am not splitting with anyone else. She spends as much time as she needs with my horse - usually about 30-45 mins if not sometimes a bit longer.

 

[Fieldlife]

Lots charge more first visit taking all history etc and less for ongoing treatment

I’ve known lots that are 95 first visit and 65-70 for follow ups.

 

[nikicb]

My vet is also a chiropractor, so for me it's an all round check up as well as a chiro session. The fact she is also a chiro, as well as a vet, is a massive benefit to me. If I am worried about a performance issue etc., she can do the usual vet stuff, but also can get very hands on, and really gets to know my horses, in a way not all vets can. It works out at around £140 a visit.

 

[Bobthecob15]

£70 for our McTimoney chiropractor and she spends a good hour with them

 

[sbloom]

Experience and results may be the better way to judge, rather than time spent. Tom Beech charges a lot more than that, equally his appointments are a bit longer I think.

 

[paddy555]

it's not the time they spend but the quality of what they do.
An adjustment takes only a few minutes, that can change a horse's life. Mine didn't spend time watching the horse move it only had to walk out of the stable and he could see the problem.
All depends on how good your chiro is. Were they effective. Were you pleased with the work they did.

My first human chiro charged a lot. (many years ago) I walked in on 1 leg and walked out on 2. The adjustment including the time taken to lie and say "this won't hurt a bit" took a couple of minutes. The effect was miraculous.
Qualtiy rather than quantity.

 

[sport horse]

Were you the only visit in the yard? How far did they have to drive to get to you? How much would that have cost them? How long would it take of their time that could be fee erning elsewhere?

 

[ihatework]

Generally 60-120 is a normal amount for routine therapists.

I did wince at a £300 physio visit recently! That was 90 mins with quite a bit of travel on a vet referral!

 

[Squeak]

I pay 75 for mine but she does travel about an hour each way just to treat the one horse.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

The chiropractic vet I used was £150 as a 1 off, £135 as routine appt inc travel (B saw him every 3 to 4 months), last had him in early May.
Treatment would be about an hour, to include a short acupuncture session at the end.
Always always saw us walk and trot up 1st.
Damned good vet too, tho too far for me to use for routine stuff.

 

[trixyandned1]

Thanks for all your responses! For context this wasn’t a referral. She’s not a vet nor mctimmoney. It was a general back checkup. I’ll be honest I noticed no improvement after the treatment. The chiropractor was in the area anyway, and doesn’t live far, so travel was minimal. I just feel a little disappointed with the treatment and then on top the what seems to be more expensive than usual fee!

 

[TPO]

Thanks for all your responses! For context this wasn’t a referral. She’s not a vet nor mctimmoney. It was a general back checkup. I’ll be honest I noticed no improvement after the treatment. The chiropractor was in the area anyway, and doesn’t live far, so travel was minimal. I just feel a little disappointed with the treatment and then on top the what seems to be more expensive than usual fee!

Why didn't you clarify the cost before booking? I've never had a professional out without knowing their pricing.

I've been caught out once when a regular physio updated their pricing including a reduced fee for 3 horses at the same yard. We have 3 horses and she insisted in charging the higher individual price for all 3. We'd used her since she started up and supported/recommended her. I don't know why she did what she did but we never used her again. I don't know why she argued against her pricing, it included existing customers, and because of that she lost 3 regular horses.

Without sound patronising do you fully understand what a chiro does and the different between that, osteo, physio, massage? Did you ask thr chiro what they found, what they were treating, how they were treating it and why? I've been on yards faffing with my own horses ans heard others have appointments with various therapists. The owners interpretation of what was said and what happened often doesn't reflect what actually happened for various reasons.

 

[paddy555]

Thanks for all your responses! For context this wasn’t a referral. She’s not a vet nor mctimmoney. It was a general back checkup. I’ll be honest I noticed no improvement after the treatment. The chiropractor was in the area anyway, and doesn’t live far, so travel was minimal. I just feel a little disappointed with the treatment and then on top the what seems to be more expensive than usual fee!

if you noticed no improvement does the horse actually have a problem that could be treated by chiropractic? Chiropractors do things. They make adjustments. They don't massage the horse or that sort of thing. They deal with the structure of the animal in front of them.
What were you expecting her to do? did she say the horse had a problem? did you tell her he had a problem and ask if she could resolve it?

The final para of TPO's post above is very relevant.

 

[lynz88]

Thanks for all your responses! For context this wasn’t a referral. She’s not a vet nor mctimmoney. It was a general back checkup. I’ll be honest I noticed no improvement after the treatment. The chiropractor was in the area anyway, and doesn’t live far, so travel was minimal. I just feel a little disappointed with the treatment and then on top the what seems to be more expensive than usual fee!

Did you ask what they found (if anything)? Did you have any specific issues that needed sorting out? There is  always a noticeable difference with mine before and after (and sometimes mid as if chiro isnt completely happy with how horse is moving she will keep working on him)

 

[Tiddlypom]

What qualifications (if any) does the chiropractor that you used have, OP?

Whilst only suitably qualified individuals can call themselves a human chiropractor, anyone can call themselves an equine (or other animal) chiropractor - it is not a protected title. Same with animal physio.

Like others I use a veterinary surgeon who is additionally a qualified chiropractor. I pay £270 inc call out for her to treat my two neds even at my discounted frequent flyer rate , but she is worth every penny and more of that. She is frankly a genius, and very nice with it. She explains her findings and what she is doing to address them each and every time she is here. Additionally she will always refer on to my regular vets if she finds something that needs a conventional vet to look into.

 

[EventingMum]

Mine is a fully qualified vet as well as a qualified chiropractor. She travels about 60 miles to my yard but will try to have other appointments in the area on the same day. She charges £90, nothing extra for acupuncture which others including our regular vet do charge additionally for.

 

[TPO]

anyone can call themselves an equine (or other animal) chiropractor - it is not a protected title. Same with animal physio.

That is incorrect.

Chiropractor and physiotherapist are protected titles, like dentist.

A veterinary physiotherapist or veterinary chiropractor is a qualified [to treat animals] physiotherapist/chiropractor.

 

[Smooshy]

I pay £90 including travel for a chiropractor. She is also a vet specialising in lameness and performance, so has a lot of knowledge to deal with the whole horse rather than just the chiro side of things. I would pay more if she raised her prices, purely for the fact of being able to ask questions for the horses health in general or in relation, and her recommendations for things ie. Equine massage and she is willing to work with my vet/ farrier when needed.
She is a higher cost than my horses previous chiro, but is worth the price.

 

[Tiddlypom]

That is incorrect.

Chiropractor and physiotherapist are protected titles, like dentist.

A veterinary physiotherapist or veterinary chiropractor is a qualified [to treat animals] physiotherapist/chiropractor.

Human chiropractor and human physio are indeed protected titles.

Animal chiropractor and animal physio are not.

Although the title 'Chiropractor' is protected, when this word is prefixed (for example with 'animal', 'equine' or 'canine'), then the title is NOT protected. There are now a number of practitioners using the term Animal Chiropractor, however this does not imply that they are also regulated to treat humans.

The title of “Physiotherapist” is protected under the Royal Charter for Physiotherapists and the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) and can only be used by qualified and registered physiotherapists, with only members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists allowed to use the title “Chartered Physiotherapist”. However, there is no protection of the title veterinary physiotherapist which can be used by anyone regardless of their level of training.

 

[TPO]

Human chiropractor and human physio are indeed protected titles.

Animal chiropractor and animal physio are not.

Although the title 'Chiropractor' is protected, when this word is prefixed (for example with 'animal', 'equine' or 'canine'), then the title is NOT protected. There are now a number of practitioners using the term Animal Chiropractor, however this does not imply that they are also regulated to treat humans.

I apologise. I misread your post and interpreted it as chiro not being a protected title.

 

[Tiddlypom]

No probs, just got our wires crossed .

Non qualified ‘back people’ popping up calling themselves animal physio/chiro/whatever when they are nothing of the sort happens too often .

 

[exracehorse]

Thanks for all your responses! For context this wasn’t a referral. She’s not a vet nor mctimmoney. It was a general back checkup. I’ll be honest I noticed no improvement after the treatment. The chiropractor was in the area anyway, and doesn’t live far, so travel was minimal. I just feel a little disappointed with the treatment and then on top the what seems to be more expensive than usual fee!

I had an amazing guy out. He charged me 50 pounds. Sudbury Suffolk

 

[irishdraft]

I took my horse for her first visit with a vet who has gone down the chiropractic route and was charged £95.00. She did spend quite a bit of time with me and treating the horse.

 

[SEL]

Some of the bigger practices have to charge VAT for animals which pushes the price up.

Does this chiro's website say what qualifications they have? Usually Mctimoney. They don't have to be there for a long time to do adjustments - you're paying for the experience and training.

 

[Peglo]

We live on an island and it cost £80 for a mctimoney chiro to come to mine. He had to travel up here so seems like a bargain. He did do quite a few horses and lessons to make it a worthwhile trip.

The first time my horse needed a bit more work done than the second time and he explained everything he was doing.
I wouldn’t expect a physio or chiropractor to do anything if they didn’t need treatment but I appreciate I’d have to pay still since I’d taken up an appointment slot. But I’d also want to be informed of it.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Some of the bigger practices have to charge VAT for animals which pushes the price up.

My chiro vet is now so busy that she has to add 20% VAT to her invoices.

It's to do with business turnover.

It’s great that she is deservedly in such demand, but eek. She’s a one woman band plus a vet nurse.

 

[SEL]

My chiro vet is now so busy that she has to add 20% VAT to her invoices.

It's to do with business turnover.

It’s great that she is deservedly in such demand, but eek. She’s a one woman band plus a vet nurse.

Is she a vet as well as a chiro? I can see how a small vet practice can get over the VAT limit, but a bodyworker would be doing very well!

 

[sbloom]

I pay 75 for mine but she does travel about an hour each way just to treat the one horse.

So, as a self employed person, she's probably spent over 3 hours, and paid out costs (25p per mile travel is the usual expense rate if she was employed and using her own car, for wear and tear) plus has overheads - she's making buggrall.

Why didn't you clarify the cost before booking? I've never had a professional out without knowing their pricing.

I've been caught out once when a regular physio updated their pricing including a reduced fee for 3 horses at the same yard. We have 3 horses and she insisted in charging the higher individual price for all 3. We'd used her since she started up and supported/recommended her. I don't know why she did what she did but we never used her again. I don't know why she argued against her pricing, it included existing customers, and because of that she lost 3 regular horses.

Without sound patronising do you fully understand what a chiro does and the different between that, osteo, physio, massage? Did you ask thr chiro what they found, what they were treating, how they were treating it and why? I've been on yards faffing with my own horses ans heard others have appointments with various therapists. The owners interpretation of what was said and what happened often doesn't reflect what actually happened for various reasons.

All of this. I have a full price list that is sent to everyone on booking and is on my website. On it there are no discounts if I'm "in your area" as, for me, that can mean I've already travelled 3, 4, 5, even 10 hours (to NI) to get "to your area", someone has to cover those costs. I can also have up to 2 hours between appointments. If I have two customers within 30 minutes of each other then for once I win! But still I get people, who didn't query ahead of the appointment, saying that they expected a discount as I had arranged a trip to several people in their area. No, I'm not travelling to you alone, 3+ hours away from me (AND it states a minimum charge for over 3 hours and that you should ask for a quote, but I very seldom charge more), for £70 travel!!

Always check the current price list when having someone out (aimed at OP not you @TPO) if you've had them out before. If you've not had them out before then ask all the questions in advance, once they're with you then it's highly likely ALL costs are due, whatever you thought of the service. And yes, Chinese whispers and prevalent - owners have to take a lot in (ask what sort of written report you'll get, if any) at any appointment, technical stuff that's new to them, and just a load of complex information. The number of times a customer has repeated something that I would never ever have said to them, or, if I can remember, absolutely didn't, is astonishing. I try and write all the key points down, and occasionally record voice notes for people.

Respect the trade, the craft, the experience, respect the price list. Then ask for what you need, and see if you can work together. This is why I have a 4 part blog post on choosing a saddle fitter! If you get it wrong then please don't moan about the price.

And yes, being VAT registered is an absolute pain, I lost about 12% of my income straight off, for the same amount of work.