Equine Osteopathy in a Nutshell
Osteopaths use the bones as their guide.
Anatomy is a never ending study.
How is it that bones move in the way they do - in flexion, in extension, abduction, adduction, rotation and so on?
How are those bones are shaped?
How do the muscles attaching, originating and inserting on them contract, lengthen and move
How does neurology tell those muscles to move more? Or move less?
Where does that neurology come from?
How does it spread throughout the body?
How do the organs come into play?
How does the craniosacral system come into play?
Assessing pinpointed mobility in all of the ways that specific joints can move is our way of gaining intel on what we cannot see within the body. When we determine something does not move in the manner that it should, we start to put puzzle pieces together. When things are really amiss, we insist on joining forces with your veterinarian so that we can explore specific diagnostics &/or imaging based on our findings to get a clearer point of view inside. Many times we find things that explain why hoof angles are the way they are, are wearing in an unsupportive manner, or the wall is chronically flaring in one location.
The goal we all collectively share is to find answers faster and avoid all the run around and guessing games.
Ultimately, the body can produce infinite manifestations of remodeling, malformation and (de)compensations which is being made clearer and clearer thanks to people and professionals like Becks Nairn, Sharon May Davis, Pamela Eckelbarger & Diane Dzingle (at the Bone Room in Aiken, SC) - amongst many others. Highly recommend this episode with Becks on the EH Podcast: “Feels Like Honest To The Bone”.
