Poll - Regular Equine Physio or McTimoney - which is better/what do you use?

Do you use/prefer regular equine physio, McTimoney or something else?

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Hels_Bells

Hels_Bells

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Am just wondering what people's thoughts are on this. I have had both out to my boy now.

He loved the McTimoney and it did him lots of good, improved his way of going, he seemed full of beans after a treatment and his leaning problem improved hugely but the effects wore off pretty quickly.

Yesterday we had a regular physio out. Having only had the McTimoney before I was quite alarmed at how much more aggressive the methods used were (and so was the boy I think) but feel perhaps the better qualifications etc from the regular physio hold more sway. We will see how he goes tomorrow when I am allowed to take him out again. Also, the regular physio didn't push any of the marketing/courses of treatments/"let's book next appointment now" on me which I appreciate and also feel perhaps he is more confident in the results of what he does as he doesn't need to push like the Mctimoney.

Anyway interested in what other folks think. (Have never done a poll before so hope it works) :D
 
Definitely physio for me. I used mctimoney once and she didnt pick up on all sorts of problems and i then had to get the physio out to sort it all. My physio has totally proved herself on me and the horse! Some time ago he started wearing one back shoe very unevenly and i called the physio. She found various things wrong and when it came to the next shoeing both shoes had worn exactly the same so that is proof in itself.
She also does my back and neck and it makes a huge difference.
Physio all the way for me and my boys.
 
Ive spent a fortune on physios before only to be told i cant ride my horse for a week after treatment etc, or i have to walk for a week after treatment - even though there was not really anything wrong. I now use a bowen therapist who costs me half the price of a physio and Bloss has never felt better, the difference is amazing in her after treatment. She is done every 4 months as shes a bit old and stiff now. I can ride her the day after she is treated, as normal and she always feels fantastic :)
 
Only used McTimoney therapist. He is absolutely fantastic, has worked wonders on all the horses I've had and is never pushy.
 
I use both with my current horse - they seem to pick up on totally different things, and I wouldn't want to choose between them.
 
I've only ever used a McTimoney on my horses. I've had both for myself and have never been that impressed with human physios.
 
Really interesting answers and lots of differing opinions. Really looking forward to seeing how the boy goes tomorrow. If the results aren't quite as good as the McTimoney I may switch back to a different one, as I said before the one I had was pretty pushy (with me but not with the horse!)! Incidentally horse is not frisking around today like he was after his McT visits and he didn't seem to lick/chew etc as much as with the McT. Not sure if that is because this is his third treatment in total and so the problems have lessened through treatment.

Totally agree nutkin, in my case the McT picked up on things the physio didn't seem to notice, or think were relevant. Phys just got to work and thought boys conformation etc was ok/nothing to worry about (in line with what the vet has said) whereas McT picked up on certain things like slightly unlevel hips and more muscle in one thigh. In the end though they both homed in on very similar areas (top of neck and saddle area).

Also thanks for the input on the Bowen practitioner Tempi, I think I may look into this too as a 3rd way.
 
I do use McTimoney only if he had a fall etc otherwise it's a sports massage lady. She has picked up on so many other problems that the McTimoney person didnt!! Every 3 months he gets a massage. He has complety changed his muscle stucture.
 
im currently training up to be a equine physio then going on to do thermography and then going too train is mc'timony (chiropractor).

there is common misconception that they physio's and chriopractors do the same job, hence why people thing that chiro's are better than physio's because one has found the problem and the other one hasnt and visa versa. Where as in reality chiro's work with bone manipulation where physio's deal with muscle manipulation so it is quite easy for one to find a problem that the other hasnt because the have studied different things just like i wouldnt find.

i may aswell say i wouldnt pick up on damp in a house before it becomes obvious because thats not what im trained to do.

in answer to your question physio and chirpopractic work could both benefit but it may be worth trying to find a qualified thermographer to try and pin point the problem and then you can go from there and get the horse the correct treatment that it requires.

if you want any more info please feel free to PM me.

Joe Carby
 
Thanks Joe. The McTimoneys I come accross seem to market themselves more as physical therapists than chiros?? I don't think chiros are better than physios or vice versa and don't think that they do the same thing. In fact I have a completely separate human and horse chiro to look at specific back problems. This chiro concentrates on the horses back only and not the back,neck, conformation etc like the mctimoney and physiotherapist do??

Thanks for the input on the sports massage also Bojangles, again an interesting avenue to explore.
 
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Re the McTimoney/Osteo/Chiro point. The same rule applies as with EDT/dentists; you can only call yourself osteo/chiro/dentist if you are qualified to treat humans. Hence McT peeps refer to themselves as animal/spinal manipulators and "dentists" are Equine Dental Technicians.

I use McTimoney but the lady I use is also a qualified EBW so she incorporates massage and muscle release into the sessions and picks up on a lot more. I'm a fully trained EBW so massage my horses myself also.

I've never had great results using physios on other horses I've had so it's probably not a path I would go down again as very happy with the results I'm getting so far.

No method should be forceful or aggressive. It's actually surprising how little is needed to achieve results ie finger tip direct pressure has a massive effect. TBH I'd be concerned if any practicioner seemed to be exerting a lot of effort when working over the horse.

Don't tar everyone for certain training with the same brush. My McT person is lovely but there are others in the area in the same field who take a more forward approach, shall we say, to securing future appointments. I would say that it's all down to the individual's personality rather than their training. I've attended McT-C and EBW training and neither encourages that sort of behaviour.
 
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I use a Physio for the horses, but not regularly- only if theres a problem, and it's sometimes in conjunction with vet treatment too. I've used the same physio for years, she is really good, very straight talking and makes a difference to my horse when she has had to work on them. I would not use anyone else!
 
Thanks for the advice TPO and clarification on qualifications/titles etc. Sorry for daft question but what does EBW stand for??

I certainly don't want to tar everyone with the same brush, which is really why I was so interested in other people's opinions and experiences of the two different approaches as I am trying to decide what to do next.

At this stage my natural leaning is actually more towards McTimoney than the physio because the physio did quite a lot of thumping/hard slapping and so we had to restrain my boy to some extent and he seemed quite alarmed esp at first, whereas the McTimoney was much gentler and used a less aggresive technique for dealing with the tougher knots and my boy was mostly just happy to stand there on a loose lead rein. But as I said I haven't seen the ridden results of the Physio yet and also the physio in question is used by some people I have a lot of respect for, which doesn't necessarily mean they are right for us, but I find a personal recommendation, is often better than a trawl of google!!! :D
 
Hels_Bells said:
Thanks for the advice TPO and clarification on qualifications/titles etc. Sorry for daft question but what does EBW stand for??

I certainly don't want to tar everyone with the same brush, which is really why I was so interested in other people's opinions and experiences of the two different approaches as I am trying to decide what to do next.
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EBW = Equine Body Worker, basically Sports Massage for horses. Equinology/Equine Energy and Mary Bromiley are two of the main associations in the UK.

Sorry, wasn't trying to imply that you were lumping everyone from a certain technique together. Was just meaning it's easy done but it's all really down to the individual.

Have to say your physio session sounds a bit "extreme". Perhaps if you get them out again and ask why and what they are doing it will make things a bit clearer and give you an idea one way or another if it's the thing for you.

Yip, it's a minefield finding the right person and word of mouth is generally better than random internet searches. Hope it all works out for you :)
 
I use a McTimoney chiropractor. I had a horse that i really struggled to get any sort of bend from on one rein. I called a local physio who did a few things but didn't really pick up on anything. Horse was still bad and getting very mareish so decided to call the vet. The vet said there was definately a problem in the neck and to call a McTimoney lady who could treat under sedation under his supervision. She did so and the proof was instant. As soon as i was able to ride her again she was like a different horse.

Since then i've used her routinely with my horses. She'll quite often pick up on things i'm worried about but haven't mentioned. My dog also had an accident and couldn't walk up the stairs. After two treatments she was bounding up the stairs like a puppy. Again it was proof to me that it made a significant difference.

Quite often she comes now and doesn't find anything wrong but i like to have her out at least every six months to check. She's never pushy as to next appointments etc but i always book in advance so i can get the date i want.
 
What put me right off McT is when I found out that you could "qualify" to be by doing an evening course! I use a chiropractor for my back (physio didn't work), but a university properly qualified one.

They don't have the indepth training of a physio. Therefore I use a fully qualified equine physion on my horse. She is recommended by all the vets in the area, used by the local big equine hospital and I have had good results.
 
Fab thanks TPO, EBW sounds like an interesting avenue to explore, because of my guy's past probs any regular treatments be they phys, massage, chiro are a huge help!

Thanks G&P my horse initially had a bend problem and the McTimoney made a huge difference, problem is apart from the pushy-ness there are a couple of other more serious things that have concerned me that I won't go into here, hence the switch to the reg physio. However, I hvae heard of another McT in my area who is extremely well regarded, so I might try there next time.

Thanks g23, that is what my physio said yesterday about McT, that they just need a regular equine qualification to pursue that line, he has his qualification from RCVS plus human phy then horse phys on top, so an excellent CV in his favour. But it seems in this field in general that if you look carefully at qualifications some of them have excellent quals and CVs others a little grey, so I think it's just another one of those horsey things where a bit of trial and error and research helps you decide!
 
I use Larry Bensusan who does quite a few 4* eventers, the Met Police horses etc etc... hes a shiatsu practitioner. He never "rebooks", isnt expensive and has worked miracles on my gang. Hes Suffolk based but does travel all over. He does a mixture of Shiatsu and massage.
 
galaxy23 said:
What put me right off McT is when I found out that you could "qualify" to be by doing an evening course! I use a chiropractor for my back (physio didn't work), but a university properly qualified one.QUOTE]

Where about was that? Only McT-C equine training I'm aware of is a year long course at oxford college along with numerous hours of theory and practical to be done on your own time and assessed by the college. For this course you need to have shown equine experience and knowledge. There were vets, osteos and chiros on the course when I was on it so not open to anyone and everyone.

I guess it's the same with everything; its about sorting the wheat from the chaff and choosing what works best for you and your horse(s). Personally I'd only use someone fully trained, qualified and insured yet time and time again certain names of people who don't fulfill any of that critera keep coming up on forums like this. It'll be like EDTs; until enforced legislation is brought in any Tom, Dick or Harry can call themselves whatever and do whatever to your horse(s) if you chose to use them.
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Hels_Bells said:
Fab thanks TPO, EBW sounds like an interesting avenue to explore, because of my guy's past probs any regular treatments be they phys, massage, chiro are a huge help!

Thanks G&P my horse initially had a bend problem and the McTimoney made a huge difference, problem is apart from the pushy-ness there are a couple of other more serious things that have concerned me that I won't go into here, hence the switch to the reg physio. However, I hvae heard of another McT in my area who is extremely well regarded, so I might try there next time.

Thanks g23, that is what my physio said yesterday about McT, that they just need a regular equine qualification to pursue that line, he has his qualification from RCVS plus human phy then horse phys on top, so an excellent CV in his favour. But it seems in this field in general that if you look carefully at qualifications some of them have excellent quals and CVs others a little grey, so I think it's just another one of those horsey things where a bit of trial and error and research helps you decide!
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Hels Bells - would love to know who you have used, mine covers North Yorks and is fantastic. My instructor who competes at 4* BE uses him regularly as do many others which is why you have to book up in plenty of time. He does do clinics too
 
I think this thread highlights what a minefield it is using a practitioner when you don't understand their qualifications and what it is they actually do!

Maybe 90% of us should only use treatments which are recommended by the vet and under veterinary supervision, if only because we will save lots of money.

For instance, by McTimony do you mean, mctimony corley, mctimony chiropractors or mctimony manipulators. All entirely different things, entirely different qualifications & levels of skill.

Personally I have used physios, osteopaths and mctimony chiropractors - who have to be qualified chiropractors before they embark on the long, difficult and expensive training course to become equine chiropractors. I would never use a manipulator and would only use any treatment once the vet had identified the cause of the problem & agreed the treatment.

Also I want a person I trust and I have known some highly quialified people who are brutal conmen, another reason to go with the vets recommendation.
 
galaxy23 said:
What put me right off McT is when I found out that you could "qualify" to be by doing an evening course! I use a chiropractor for my back (physio didn't work), but a university properly qualified one.

They don't have the indepth training of a physio. Therefore I use a fully qualified equine physion on my horse. She is recommended by all the vets in the area, used by the local big equine hospital and I have had good results.
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I Just wanted to say that McTimoney is not an evening class! They gain an MSc Animal Manipulation from the McTimoney College of Chiropractic and this is a 3 year intense course, I know a few people who have done this course who informed me. There is a McT Corley which is a completely different course, so make sure you always check if they are corley or not!
I use McT on my dog and she is a lot better for it and would recommend them to anyone
 
I have used a McTimoney human and animal chiropractor before several times,just for a yearly MOT on my horse and the lady was very gentle and good with the horses.

I have also used a McTimoney Corley practitioner, and she was very good and spent time manipulating the horse's legs to ease tension in the shoulders as well as the spine.

Just to add to the qualifiaction confusion and my experience with two of the courses:

I have an Equine Science degree and was researching doing a McTimoney course a couple of years ago. The McTimoney Animal Manipulation course is an MSc 3 year course ran as weekend tutorials at Moreton Morrell college. The course has strict requirements that the student must hold either an Equine science degree or be a qualified vet/ animal physio. Even then, you are further required to undertake an EBW course or similar before you enrol on the course, hence why some manipulators have EBW qualifications too.

I also looked into the McTimoney Corley course, which is a diploma course run over 1 year, with weekend tutorials held at Abbindon and Witney College. You are also required to practice on horses and other animals during the week too, to get the necessary practical work needed to complete the course. The entry requirements are that they prefer you to hold an equine degree/vet degree, but candidates with enough life experience with horses, can apply.

Hope that helps, i never did any if the courses due to money, so am now doing an NHS funded health course!
 
I'm not sure you can compare the two really as they are both different. I am an equine body worker but still have a friend who comes and does the mctimoney aswell. Both work well so if you can afford have both, if not I would say it depends on what problems your horse has or whether it's just maintenance. :)
 
There are also 'vet chiropractors' that study through the International Academy of Veterinary Chiropractic. This is a relatively new course in the UK hence why there aren't many practising chiropractors out there. It is very popular form of animal chiropractic in the US and Germany and has been developed specifically by Vets and Chiropractors to ensure all grads are 'gold standard' animal chiros. This style of chiropractic is not the same as McT technique.

ONLY fully qualified and registered chiropractors and vets can apply for this course.

There is a real 'art' to chiropractic which means that those who have qualified on humans are already masters of a very difficult technique and just have to learn how to treat animals according to their anatomy.

Please please please check all qualifications...there are so many dodgy lay people out there who give those of us who have done the hard graft to get our qualies a bad name! Sorry I'll get off my soapbox now...:D
 
Good Thread - I have used Mct Chiro on my boy / boys religously every 4 months and never felt a difference - last week I got a well respected and long standing physio out for my TB just because something wasnt right and after lots of thumping and stretching two days later he was bouncing and felt like i have never ever felt him before and i have had him 5 years !
She asked me if he felt such and such in his work and she was spot on - she is coming back again this week and I will get her to look at the Big Fella !

Sharon x
 
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