Osteopathy is a manual therapy aiming to restore natural body balance and harmony. The patient is treated holistically, where the key is keeping the different body structural parts as mobile as possible. Any restrictions in mobility can cause local but also distal disorders due to compensation phenomenens to maintain balance. What is known of osteopathic treatment in horse riding ?
In any sport, osteopathy is often used as a preventive measure, to keep the body in optimal condition and thus reduce the risk of injury. In equestrian sports osteopathy is being resorted to more and more. In the 1980s the expansion of osteopathy for the horse took off, and more recently for the rider. A recent epidemiology study of professional riders showed that 81 % regularly use the services of an osteopath (Biau, 2014).
The benefits of osteopathic treatment have not as yet been scientifically studied and assessed. It appears of interest to do so, therefore the Ifce have conducted studies at the Ecole Nationale d’Equitation in Saumur.
Osteopathy dedicated to the rider
For a horse-rider partnership to function at its best, the rider should accompany his horse’s centre of gravity without being either in front or behind it. The rider should keep his torso movements to aminimum, these movements being solely for correcting inertia, so as to optimise his centre of gravity. Breathing can help, since breathing correctly enables to better sit in the saddle, to lower the centre of gravity and align it with the horse’s. To do this the rider needs to be free from any physical impairements, be concentrated, open minded and free from stress.
A study has brought to light the effects of an osteopathic treatment over two months (two sessions at two week intervals,followed by two sessions three weeks apart) for a group of four riders. The techniques used in this study followed the craniosacral therapy method (Dr Upledger), and mental visualisation method (Dr Sutherland). Measures were then carried out on an equestrian simulator with detectors to measure foot pressure on the stirrups, and ischium pressure on the saddle, in all three gaits. Before their therapy, all four riders presented restrictions of three diaphragms : cranial, thoracic, and pelvic.
The brain is surrounded by three concentric cerebral membranes, the meninges. This axis forms a system through which cerebral spinal fluid flows. The system functions like a semi-closed hydraulic system which is subject to the physical laws of fluid mechanics. Applying a force to the surface of the liquid disperses the force equally in all directions.
The thoracic diaphragm
This is an important breathing muscle. It functions automatically, even though the rhythm can be willfully changed or blocked. It interacts in multiple ways with bones, organs, nerves and blood vessels. Any malfunction can cause disturbances within the whole of the body. Relaxed ample breathing is a token of physical and psychological relaxation of the rider, necessary for any technical performance.
The pelvic diaphragm
The pelvic diaphragm plays a part in supporting the abdominal and pelvic organs. It is subject to rotational and twisting movements, and shocks from the rider’s position in the saddle.
The first and third (a month later) osteopathic manipulations were the most significant in terms of their impact on the way the body functions. The main consequence was to restore symmetry of pressure on the stirrups, and ischium pressure on the saddle. The number of participants is however too small to reach a totally objective conclusion.
The results enable us to form the opinion that osteopathy can be of benefit used in its holistic philosophy as it respects :
The individual as a whole (physically and emotionally)
The chronology of any disorders ar damage
The body and the time at which the treatment is undergone.
It can therefore be of use to improve the way the rider functions on horseback. It should however be remembered that it is a complementary technique to general medical check-ups, and to the athlete’s training.
To remember :
Osteopathy is a manual therapy which has an effect on the way the rider functions.
The rider’s aids become more symmetrical (on an equestrian simulator) and it can improve seat.
The improvements were mainly observed after the first and third sessions one month apart.
The demands made on the three diaphragms : cranial, thoracic and pelvic, are considerable and play a major part in the rider’s general well-being, and treatment
The benefits are not stable, (e.g emotional shock), and therefore follow-ups should be regular.
Osteopathy dedicated to the horse
As for the human athlete, the sport horse is an athlete and subject to biomechanical constraints which can lead to osteopathic dysfunctions, sometimes even before the animal has finished growing.
Two studies were conducted to assess the impact of an osteopathic treatment on a sport horse’s locomotion :
The first study
First of all, five horses were tested on a treadmill. The way their back functionned was visually examined from above by 15 different veterinarians. The horses all appeared to gain in back mobility significantly as from the 10th day after treatment. This leads to question the length of time needed to allow the horse to adapt to a new sense of balance after an osteopathic treatment session.
The second study
This study was carried out on a larger sample of horses, and the results compared to a control sample. It was carried out on a group of 26 sport horses presenting restricted movements in their hind quarters, but no lameness. The horses were then drawn into two groups : a control sample, these horses were groomed but not manipulated, and a group subjected to manipulation (holistic approach, using different techniques : craniosacral, fascial, indirect structural, myotensive, visceral …). Their locomotion was observed in the loose ring (using the Equimetrix analysis system) before manipulation, and 10 and 20 days after the osteopathy session. Their locomotion was better right from a few days after treatment, with more elevation in the trot after 10 days, and a gain in symmetry observed after 20 days. Propulsion also increased in the younger horses, but decreased in older subjects.
Osteopathy improves a horse’s locomotion significantly and lastingly (at least 20 days) particularly for younger horses. On the other hand, in older subjects, it appears to disrupt their locomotion, at least in the early days after treatment. For the older horse, getting them back into work should be done progressively, with either a more prolonged treatment, or with rehabilitation work either from the ground or ridden.
To remember :
Osteopathy is a manual medicine, which can have a very real impact on a horse’s locomotive capacities, particularly for younger horses.
The improvement is mainly in the following areas : dorso-ventral activity (more elevation), gait symmetry in the trot, and propulsion in the trot and canter.
The change in posture following treatment implies a certain adaptation to a new « balance », therefore requires time (10 to 20 days), attentiveness on the rider’s part, and adapted exercise.
Osteopathic treatment for the older horse, or for horses with chronic musculoskeletal disorders to which they have adapted over several months or even years, is never inconsequential. Removing the adaptations made can at first deteriorate the horse’s locomotion.
Conclusion
For both horse and rider osteopathy can contribute to improve :
Joint suppleness with, for example repercussions on a young horse’s locomotion.
To correct structural balance, for example symmetry of actions between right and left for the rider.
The holistic approach can also play a part, for both horse and rider, in preventing injury and in helping cope with progression in training, which are the two factors contributing to improving performance.
Know more about our authors
Translated from french by : Karen DUFFY Translator
Sophie BIAU Ingénieur de recherche physiologie du sport
Dr Isabelle BURGAUD Docteur vétérinaire - clinique vétérinaire équine de Saumur (IFCE)
