McTimoney treatments provide numerous benefits to horses.  The gentle treatment restores range of movement, releases tension in muscles, and rebalances the body.   Whilst owners, riders and trainers can see the benefits in terms of improved performance, very few studies have been done on the therapeutic effects of Mctimoney on muscle tone, pain reduction or other physiological improvements seen post treatment.  Over the last several years this has begun to change, as more research has been conducted and results are positive, and further support the effectiveness of the treatment.

In this article, I aim to briefly cover how to measure treatment responses, along with some anatomy and physiology, and the current research that the MAA has been involved in.

What can be measured?

Past research conducted by other professionals has included studies on measuring the usefulness of pain medication on horses diagnosed with back pain. Other research has been aimed at gait analysis, several decades ago this relied on cinematography and where markers were placed on the body. Frames were then slowed down, t0 allow a better visual understanding of equine movement.   Although the above method is still used today, gait analysis has hugely improved, due to improved technology.

Electromyography allows researchers to measure and record skeletal muscle activity.  Electrodes are attached to the skin, these measurements can then allow the researcher to interpret muscle function and pinpoint relaxation and contraction of the muscle.  Algometers are hand held devices used to measure pressure or force required to elicit a pressure-pain response.   All of these methods allow researchers to measure the therapeutic response of a McTimoney Treatment on the musculoskeletal system and gait pattern.

A little background on anatomy……

The horses’ skeleton is made up of the skull, 7 cervical, 18 thoracic, 6 lumbar, 5 sacral and 15-22 coccygeal vertebrae, it is referred to as the axial skeleton. The pelvis and lower limbs are known as the appendicular skeleton, the forelimbs are attached to the axial frame through muscular and ligamentous attachments, whilst the hindlimbs are attached to the vertebral column via the pelvis.

The range of movement that the axial skeleton has, has been of great interest for the last few decades. The connection between head, neck, back and hindquarters is often referred to as circle or chain muscles. Some of the main chain muscles involved in locomotion include the longissimus and latissimus dorsi, trapezius, splenius and brachiocephalic, biceps femoris, semi tendinosus/ membranosus and gluteals.  For a horse to move freely the abdominal and hindquarter muscles contract, whilst the back and neck muscles soften, relax and lengthen. This enables the horse to move freely and lift through the sternum and become light on the forelimbs.

Therapeutic responses to treatment

Studies have shown that Mctimoney therapy has an immediate effect on the Longissimus Dorsi muscle, in that muscle tone reduces, therefore relaxing the muscle (Wakeling et al 2006). The Splenius muscle is also affected by Mctimoney treatment, in that muscle activity reduces (Langstone et al 2015). Both studies highlight the need for more research into the effects on the muscles in relation to performance. Research has also shown that McTimoney treatment reduces pain in thoracic and lumbar musculature. In fact, the reduction of pain response appears to last for up to 10 days post treatment (Rossa et al 2015).

So how can you recognise horses with possible back pain?

Behavioural, postural, and gait changes can indicate back pain in horses, this ranges from acute pain to chronic low-grade pain. Often horses with back pain will be referred to as hollow when being lunged or ridden. This is when the back muscles are tense and contract, and the abdominal muscles remain soft. In turn, this causes the hindlimbs to lack power as they cannot correctly engage. Back pain can also be due to a poorly fitted saddle. Prolonged incorrect use of these chain muscles puts additional strain on stifles, hocks, tendons and ligaments. Foot balance may also change, the end result being altered gait patterns and eventually lameness.

McTimoney Animal Association Research

As anatomical and gait knowledge grows it becomes more important to have good research highlight and support the benefits of McTimoney Chiropractic treatment on horses. The McTimoney Animal Association (MAA) strongly supports research, and many published documents are now available. MAA published research has been presented` at several conferences including BEVA (British Equine Veterinary Association) and the London Vet Show and this year abstracts will be on display at The Saddle Research Trust.