What We Do.
Horse Ost was set up by Tony Nevin BSc (Hons) Ost, DO to focus more than 31 years of treating all types of horse, pony, and donkey with osteopathy. Working with vets to create treatment programmes specifically for each individual patient. Unlike many animal therapists Tony believes the only truly effective way of providing proper care is to work within a multi disciplinary practice.
This is the ethos behind Horse Ost. Bringing all that is great from the osteopathic profession and combining it with the very best from the equine veterinary world.
Equine Treatment
Our Approach
Horses communicate with us through body language more than vocally. Yet it is very often this body language that gets ignored by trainers and owners alike. At Horse Ost we recognise that body language, and changes in temperament are very often signs of altered movement patterns, or musculo-skeletal compromise in the horse.
EACH EQUINE has a natural way in which it should move, whether it's a racehorse, cob, or Shetland pony. Much of the tack and training aids used prevent this natural movement. Over time the animal adapts to a different way of propulsion, and this becomes evident in the way parts of its body alter in muscle bulk, tension, and sometimes increased sensitivity to touch and pressure being applied.
CHANGES IN the way a horse moves over time lead to what is referred to as somatic dysfunction. That is there is no actual pathology present, but rather a learnt way of moving that is less efficient and more stressful to the animal in general. Instead of there being free flight of the limbs, along with smooth flexion and extension of the trunk and neck, one sees dishing and paddling of limbs, stiffness of the neck, with no movement between skull and neck, as well as increased lateral movement through the hind quarters.
Other problems could include:
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Bucking
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Changes in behaviour
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Cold backed
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Tighter on one rein
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Reluctance to engage behind
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Unlevel
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A gradual decrease in overall performance
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Any or all of these signs could indicate that a horse has a neck and back problem
If you would like to find out more about what we can do for your equine, get in touch on +44 (0)7931 759339 or email us at