Like humans, animals experience skeletal and soft tissue problems, which can lead to long term damage. Horses, for example, were not designed to carry people around on their backs, let alone be asked to run, jump fences, and even dance to music! The second we place a saddle and a rider on a horse we have unbalanced them. Ill-fitting saddlery, injury, trauma and over exertion can all lead to physical problems, as can bad dentistry, digestive problems, bad farriery and disease.

Whilst dogs do not have to deal with riders on their backs, they can still suffer many problems and injuries. Commonly those doing agility, racing or other performance dogs, can encounter problems, but more often than not it will be the dogs who are chasing a ball or playing whilst on a walk that will cause themselves damage.

Older animals can suffer from arthritis and degenerative disorders just like people, and these not only affect specific joints, but cause other parts of the body to become damaged through the animal compensating in favour of the affected area which results in abnormal gaits and the body being held in an incorrect way.

I believe in a gentle, non-invasive approach to any kind of healthcare and as a result your animals will find my treatments very relaxing and enjoyable, as well as beneficial in dealing with a huge range of conditions and disorders. I am currently the only qualified practitioner working in Cornwall to offer a unique combination of McTimoney Corley Animal Spinal Therapy and Equine/Canine Touch Soft Tissue Bodywork, meaning the entire musculo-skeletal system of the animal can be treated. Although specialising in horses I also treat small animals and offer a mobile service throughout Cornwall.

The combination of methods I use to treat animals ensures that the entire musculo-skeletal system of the animal is both examined and treated. This means all the joints in the body can be manipulated and adjusted using the gentle techniques of McTimoney Corley Animal Spinal Therapy, while the soft tissues - that is the muscles, tendons and ligaments are also treated using either Equine Touch or Canine Touch.

Used together, McTimoney Corley Animal Spinal Therapy and Equine/Canine Touch Soft Tissue Bodywork can treat the entire musculo-skeletal system of the animal. You will rarely find a problem in a joint without the surrounding soft tissues being effected - likewise, you will rarely see a soft tissue injury without the local joints being somehow involved.

These techniques work with the innate healing system of the animal, not against it, and a single session will continue to be processed for 4 to 5 days after a treatment, meaning that the beneficial effects will keep on coming!

It is important that any animal receiving this kind of treatment is given at least 24 hours 'rest' following a session, to allow the body to process and adjust to the procedures that have been applied. It is also recommended that you let your vet know your animal will be receiving this treatment.

For more information please see www.handsonhorses.org