7 Signs of Pain in Horses

16 Oct 2023 Equine & Canine Osteopathy

By Jane Clothier

Head of Health Sciences at LCAO

Much like with any other animal, checking for pain in horses can be very difficult. As they are technically prey instead of predators, they tend to hide their pain under certain circumstances, such as unknown environments, the presence of strange animals, or other people. If you are going to treat a horse for the first time, this can be a bit of a challenge.

Nonetheless, there are still some signs that there is something not quite right with the horse. These can be very hard to notice but also can be obvious, in which case it’s better to start seeking professional help.

You should know how your horse usually behaves, so keep that in mind because it’ll make it easier to notice these signs.

Here are some of the subtle signs.

1. Ear position

Your horse may not be feeling all too well if its ears are back for more than 5 seconds while being ridden. Horses use their ears as part of their body language. You can count that your horse may be afraid of something if its ears are back or that maybe there’s something else happening to your horse.

2. Eyes

Monitor your horse’s eyes. If the muscles around your horse’s eyes are tense, its eyes have a glaze, or your horse shuts them while being ridden, that’s a sign that your horse is in pain, and you should try to see what’s happening.

3. Mouth

A horse with its mouth open and its tongue sticking out might be hurting. If your horse has never done this before and you find it has become common, seek help as your horse might be in pain. It could mean that something is happening to its teeth, in which case, you have to try to figure out what is making your horse behave this way.

4. Head

Probably one of the most obvious signs that something is happening to your horse. Trained horses usually have their heads in vertical positions.

Nonetheless, a horse that can’t keep this position, going a bit more up or going overbent, is a clear sign that something’s happening.

Another sign related to the head is if your horse is shaking its head a lot. It could mean that there’s something happening to your horse, and you should seek immediate help.

5. Inconsistent Eating

Horses have a big appetite.

If you have noticed that your horse is not eating consistently, doesn’t want any of the food you’re giving to it, and doesn’t want to move while being ridden; then it could mean that your horse is in pain; it can be related to ulcers.

Although this isn’t in any way a definitive sign that your horse has ulcers, it’s worth noting that it does mean that the horse may be in pain.

6. Bucking or Kicking out

Most people blame disobedience and stubbornness when their horses constantly kick or refuse to go into a trot. It could very well mean that your horse is in physical pain, mainly back pain.

7. Switching leads behind while in canter

Often horses that have inflammation of the suspensory ligament in their hind legs change their leads. Lameness would be hard to detect if both behind legs are affected. If you notice your horse bunnyhopping or changing leads in its behind legs, it could mean that something is not right with it.

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Although these are only some signs that your horse is in pain, keep in mind that there are many others. What’s most important is to know your horse and how it behaves when it is healthy. Remember, prey animals like horses tend to conceal their pain, so it’s up to you to identify the signs your horse is making.

Restoring Health in Animals with Osteopathy

10 Oct 2023 Equine & Canine Osteopathy

By Jane Clothier

Head of Health Sciences at LCAO

Interest in treating animals with osteopathy has grown considerably in recent years, with an unprecedented number of postgraduate and lay programs in musculoskeletal therapies emerging in online programs. As a global leader in animal osteopathic education, London College of Animal Osteopathy (LCAO), has recently launched one of the highest levels of training currently available, providing osteopaths with the opportunity to expand their careers through work with animals. The rapid uptake of the International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy by veterinarians, osteopaths, and animal body workers has demonstrated this kind of accessible learning for animal osteopathy is in high demand.

The International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy, with optional equine and canine streams, has grown from the lifelong work of the LCAO’s founder, Stuart McGregror, D.O. Stuart’s interest in treating animals was already showing itself when he graduated from the UK’s European School of Osteopathy in 1984, with his dissertation The Principles of Osteopathy Applied to the Horse being the first known work about osteopathy for horses. His long-term aim was to find a way to use osteopathic techniques to work with and benefit animals, and he achieved that sooner than expected.

Upon graduation, he immediately began treating horses and dogs, and it was not long before his Osteopathy Centre for Animals in Oxfordshire, England, was formed. Other osteopaths and veterinarians soon came across Stuart’s work and were keen to learn more. It made sense to start bringing his new and evolving techniques together in the equine and canine osteopathy programs that he has now been teaching since 1998 in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. Throughout this time, he has continued to refine both the approach and his methods of instruction, leading to the Osteopathic Articular Balancing training that he practices and teaches today.

What is Osteopathic Articular Balancing (OAB)?

Stuart describes OAB as a general osteopathic treatment that is deeply rooted in classical osteopathy and the philosophies of Andrew Still. It gently disrupts the body’s state of dysfunction and restores integration, thereby creating a homeostatic state of health. This is achieved through functional techniques with slow, controlled, long lever moves, with a focus on quality of movement rather than range of motion.

As Stuart says, “One of the main principles in osteopathic medicine is that treatment should restore health to the local tissues. This involves the restoration of blood supply, nerve supply, and lymphatic drainage. Where any of these are absent, the tissues can only be in poor health.”

In practice, OAB is a system of techniques that ease pain, remove tension and restriction, and restore full movement in every joint of the animal’s body. The therapist examines the functional anatomy of each joint and its accompanying structures, before mobilizing associated bones. The direct and indirect relationships throughout the skeletal system are also considered, with posture, gait assessment, and palpation forming part of the assessment.

To learn more about the International Diploma in Animal Osteopathy (Int’l DipAO)  clickhere

 

Signs that a Dog Needs More Exercise

6 Oct 2023 Canine

By Maria Rondon

Head of Health Sciences at LCAO

Both adult dogs and puppies can sometimes behave like children on a sugar rush. They need to burn their energy, and if you don’t give them a way to do it, they will find their own! Sometimes, these ways of burning their fuel will waste all the training efforts and could take an enormous toll on their personality, mental health, and physical well-being.

For this reason, it is vital to know the signs that show that a dog or puppy is not exercising enough throughout the day. These are the 5 most common signs that show that a dog might need 20 extra minutes of walking!

1. Destructive Behavior

If you notice that your dog is biting, chewing, scratching, or tearing things around the house, or if you see that they break their toys in record time, it is highly likely that your dog is trying to drain his contained energy. Of course, this is not only really dangerous for them, as they could suffer a gastrointestinal obstruction or intoxication by accidentally swallowing the objects they’re chewing, but it’s also really expensive for the owner, due to the vet bills and the cost of replacement of the objects so, if your dog has destructive behavior, better to run that extra mile with him, literally!

2. Daily or Nightly Hyperactivity

Another way dogs use to drain the energy they are not draining through exercise is by running or playing excessively around the house. These bursts of energy that have puppies running from one side of the house to the other can become really noisy and bothersome at 3 A.M. when the owners are trying to catch some sleep. Whether they happen in the daytime or nighttime, sudden episodes of running, jumping, vocalizing, or playing by themselves are a clear sign that a dog needs to exercise more.

3. Excessively curious behavior

Dogs with a sense of curiosity are seen as smart and adorable while doing their best to understand the world around them. Moreover, it’s also a part of nature, as being curious is part of their survival instinct. However, if your dog is at all times browsing the house or apartment, smelling the floor or the air, following every step of every moving person, or wanting to participate in every activity the owner does, that’s often a sign of excessive boredom and energy accumulation. They’re just trying to keep themselves busy!

4. Attention seeking

Your pet will always know the perfect way to catch your attention: growling, howling, barking, licking your hands or feet, jumping on top of you, or bringing you their favorite toy. However, these gestures could mean basically anything, from begging for a meal to asking for pets. If you see that your dog’s water bowl is full and fresh, they already ate, and pets do not seem to calm them, it might be time for a short session of exercise. Playing, walking, running or asking them to perform tricks will surely help them burn a little more energy!

5. Weight Gain

This one is more a physical sign than a behavioral sign, which appears after weeks or months of eating an unbalanced diet or after lack of enough exercise. Even if your dog’s behavior is not as energetic as the average and they fail to give you any other sign, their physique doesn’t lie: when there’s not enough ways to burn energy, your dog will likely gain weight. If this sign goes ignored without implementing the proper healthy habits your dog needs, he might become obese and suffer from metabolic, pancreatic, gastrointestinal, locomotive or cardiovascular diseases, so it’s important to pay attention to your dog’s complexion.

Providing your dog with enough opportunities to exercise, plenty of fresh water and a balanced diet will keep them living a happy and healthy life. For this reason, it’s vital to know if your concept of “enough exercise” matches theirs. Communication, even between species, is the key!

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Human food you can give your dog!

2 Oct 2023 Canine

By Maria Rondon, Head of Health Sciences at LCAO

1.Chicken

It’s meat, it’s healthy, what’s not to like? Chicken is an excellent protein source for your dog and can also become a good way to treat them! Just take into account that dogs don’t really have a preference for seasoned vs plain chicken meat. Just cook it, let it chill and then serve!

2.Berries

A great source of vitamins and minerals, you can use them for a quick treat for your dog. Remember though that you shouldn’t give your dog a handful of berries, especially if they never had them before or they might get a stomach ache! However, take into account that grapes are NOT safe for your dog. Berries are fine and nutritious, as long as they’re not grapes!

3.Bananas

More often than not, you’d see dogs usually craving for whatever you got in your hands, and if you happen to have a banana, you can share small bites with your dog. The texture might confuse them a bit, but I guarantee they’re going to love it.

4.Rice

Not everything has to be low on calories and full of protein, you can give a couple of spoons of cooked rice to your dog. They absolutely love how rice tastes, and if you mix it with chicken, they’ll be more than happy to completely devour their plate!

5.Watermelon with no seeds

Dogs also get thirsty during summer so you can give them small chunks of watermelon, just keep in mind that you have to remove the seeds as they might hurt your dog. Other than that, watermelon is completely safe for your dog!

6.Green beans

You boiled more green beans than what you wanted? Fear not! You can share some with your dog, too. Green beans are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, and they are also really low in calories. You can give them to your dog in small amounts as treats.

7.Cheese

Yes, dogs can eat cheese. No, they shouldn’t eat a lot of it. Cheese doesn’t harm dogs, but servings have to be very small! You can share a small slice of cheese, and if it’s organic, light cheese, you can absolutely increase the serving just a bit.

8.Carrots

Not only a rabbit’s favorite treat! Dogs really like carrots, they don’t have to be cooked or anything, they like the taste enough that they will just gobble it up in no time. Make sure the pieces aren’t too big!

9.Cooked Eggs

Back to full protein sources! Dogs absolutely love eggs. The best way to serve eggs to a dog is boiled eggs. Just cook it, let it chill, crack the shell, maybe slice it a bit and you can serve it to your dog. Remember that just like with humans, you don’t want to have your dog eat eggs all day every day, so feed them with moderation.

10.Peanut Butter

Yes, the myths are true! Dogs can eat peanut butter, nonetheless, servings should be moderate and it would be better if the peanut butter has no added sugar or sweeteners in it.

And that’s it! A good idea is that you can also improvise a cooked, natural meal for your dog with rice, carrots, green beans and shredded chicken. We still recommend regular dry or wet food especially made for dogs though!

 

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