Osteopathy and the Treatment of Horses

Anthony Pusey, an osteopath of international renown, has been instrumental in establishing the role of osteopathy in the treatment of animals. Qualifying from the British School of Osteopathy in London in 1971, he developed a large human osteopathic practice whilst also forging links with veterinary practices where he treated horses from the top echelons of the horse world, including Olympic competitors of many different nations. He also treated the horses of the Household Cavalry, The Royal Mews and Windsor Castle. He lectured nationally and internationally, as well as developing a Master of Science degree in the application of osteopathy in the treatment of animals. This book is a distillation of over 35 years of his work in this field. Julia Brooks MSc DO qualified from the British School of Osteopathy in 1983, before joining Anthony Pusey in a practice that encompassed both human and animal osteopathy.  She has lectured nationally and internationally at postgraduate level, and has been involved in Masters programmes and postgraduate diplomas in both the development stages and as an external examiner for the University of Wales. Annabel Jenks DO, ND is an osteopath with over 25 years’ experience. She has a private practice in Essex, UK, treating a full spectrum of patients both human and equine, from Pony Club to Olympian. She graduated from The British College of Osteopathic Medicine in London, where she has been a governor since 1997. She is a faculty member on the Masters Degree in Animal Osteopathy at the University of Wales. She has previously ridden in all disciplines but now concentrates on dressage, training and competing with her own horses, from novice through to advanced level.

Foreword vii

Preface viii

Dedication ix

Acknowledgements xi

About the Authors xii

Disclaimer xiii

1 Introducing Osteopathy for Horses 1
Anthony Pusey and Julia Brooks

2 Horse Anatomy for Osteopaths 4
Julia Brooks and Anthony Pusey

3 Neurophysiological Basis of Osteopathic Medicine 40
Julia Brooks

4 Making a Start in Animal Practice 52
Anthony Pusey and Julia Brooks

5 Case History 55
Anthony Pusey and Julia Brooks

6 Static Observation 59
Anthony Pusey and Julia Brooks

7 Observation of Active Movements 67
Anthony Pusey and Julia Brooks

8 Palpatory Examination of the Unsedated Horse 76
Annabel Jenks

9 Palpatory Examination of the Sedated Horse 91
Anthony Pusey and Julia Brooks

10 Osteopathic Treatment – Overarching Principles 100
Anthony Pusey and Julia Brooks

11 Osteopathic Treatment Without Sedation 106
Annabel Jenks

12 Osteopathic Treatment of the Sedated Horse 154
Anthony Pusey and Julia Brooks

13 Examination and Treatment under General Anaesthetic 171
Anthony Pusey and Julia Brooks

14 Post-treatment Care and Management 191
Annabel Jenks

15 Differential Diagnosis 200
Christopher Colles

Glossary 208

Appendix A: Safety Aspects for Treating Horses, Unsedated and Sedated 214
Annabel Jenks

Appendix B: Referral for Osteopathic Treatment 217
Julia Brooks

Appendix C: Owner Consent Form for Osteopathic and Sedation Procedures 218
Julia Brooks

Appendix D: Information Sheet, Osteopathy in Practice 219
Julia Brooks

Appendix E: Case Sheet 221
Julia Brooks

Appendix F: Case History Questions 223
Annabel Jenks

Appendix G: Static and Active Examination 225
Annabel Jenks

Appendix H: Drugs Used in Treatment with Sedation and Treatment under Anaethetic 227
Julia Brooks

Index 230