About Equine Osteopathy
Astwood Equine Osteopaths treat horses and ponies of all breeds and disciplines, from first ponies, through happy hackers to hard working competition horses.
Astwood Equine Osteopaths focus on the individual needs of each horse treated. Your horse's environment and working conditions are taken into account and treatment is tailored to meet your horse's requirements.
Most horses show a significant improvement in flexibility and correctness of pace after the first treatment. This improvement would suggest that the horse also experiences significant pain relief. A follow up treatment usually takes place around 7 to
10 days later.
This is often enough treatment for lots of horses, however some horses have more complex problems and need a course of treatments. Your equine osteopath will advise a treatment plan at the first appointment, which will include advice on how you should care for your horse between visits.
About Astwood Equine Osteopathy
Our principal Equine Osteopath is Andrew Marling.
Andrew trained (in human osteopathy) for 4 years (full time study) at the prestigious British School of Osteopathy in London, considered by many as the premier school in Europe.
Astwood Equine Osteopaths is the sister company to Astwood Osteopaths, where we treat people.
Andrew married into a 'horsey' family in 1997 and has been involved with horses ever since. Andrew's parents-in-law bred thoroughbreds and part bred competition horses as well as standing their own thoroughbred stallions at stud.
Andrew's wife has ridden her whole life and has successfully competed at (BHS/BE) intermediate level eventing and (BHS/BD) medium level dressage on horses she has produced herself.
Inevitably Andrew found himself getting more and more involved with the horses, mainly with the young stock and as 'groom' to his wife! Astwood Osteopaths always planned to offer Equine treatment along side the human practice.
To gain the qualification to treat horses Andrew completed a 10 month post graduate diploma with Stuart McGregor at the Osteopathic Centre for Animals in Wantage.
The course covers:
- Anatomy (musculoskeletal, visceral)
- General pathology
- Principals of saddlery and biting
- Shoeing, effects of
- Equine biomechanics
- Equine behaviour and psychology
Practical tutorials take place at racing yards, event yards and riding schools. So Andrew got lots of hands on experience treating different types of horses from day one.
Andrew is registered with the General Osteopathic council (GOsC) and is fully insured.
