What to Expect
Below you'll find a thorough description of what to expect during your first appointment with me. Please take the time to read it and get in touch if you have any questions.
Equine
Prior to treatment, I will ask you to obtain confirmation from your horse’s veterinary surgeon that they are happy for chiropractic and soft tissue treatment to be carried out. On the day of the appointment, you will be asked to sign a consent form acknowledging that veterinary permission has been granted.
Your initial appointment will typically last 60–75 minutes, so please allow adequate time.
A detailed case history will be taken and recorded, including any current or previous issues you may have noticed. This will be followed by a static and dynamic assessment, during which your horse’s posture, conformation, and movement will be evaluated in walk, trot, turning, and rein-back. Where appropriate, it may also be beneficial to observe your horse on the lunge, and you may be asked to assist with this. If your horse is in work, tack may also be assessed, so please have this available where possible.
The treatment itself takes a whole-horse approach. Soft tissue therapy is used to warm and prepare the muscles, allowing areas of tension, asymmetry, or sensitivity to be identified and addressed. Techniques are selected based on the individual horse, what they are comfortable with, and the findings of the assessment.
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Equine chiropractic care is then used to assess and address restrictions in joint mobility, particularly within the spine and pelvis. Gentle, precise adjustments are applied where indicated to restore normal movement, support balanced biomechanics, and optimise nervous system function.
In addition, skeletal mobilisations and mild stretching specific to your horse may form part of the treatment plan, depending on examination findings. Throughout the session, both your horse’s physical and behavioural responses will be closely monitored to ensure treatment remains effective, comfortable, and positive. Most horses find chiropractic and soft tissue treatment extremely relaxing.
Treatments and assessments are usually carried out at your horse’s own yard unless alternative arrangements are agreed in advance. Please ensure your horse is clean and dry prior to the appointment. Treatment is typically carried out in the stable, on the yard, or in another quiet area where the horse feels most at ease.
Follow-up treatments generally last up to 60 minutes.
After treatment, horses are typically advised to rest for 24-48 hours, or to be turned out or walked in-hand for 10–15 minutes before returning to work. This may vary depending on the individual horse and the type of treatment provided. Where appropriate, treatment can be adapted to allow the horse to remain in light work.
At the conclusion of the session, you will receive a copy of the assessment notes along with tailored advice and exercises to help maintain the benefits of treatment between visits.
Canine
Prior to treatment, you will be asked to obtain confirmation from your dog’s veterinary surgeon that they are happy for chiropractic and soft tissue treatment to be carried out. On the day of the appointment, you will be asked to sign a consent form confirming that veterinary permission has been granted.
Before treatment begins, a full consultation will take place. This will include discussion around the reason you have sought treatment, your dog’s veterinary history, nutrition, exercise routine, lifestyle, and Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). This information helps to build a clear picture of your dog’s overall health and identify factors that may be contributing to discomfort or altered movement.
A movement and postural assessment will then be performed. Your dog will be observed walking and running to identify any stiffness, asymmetry, or compensatory movement patterns. Posture will also be assessed to ensure weight is being carried evenly across all four limbs. Any changes you have noticed at home — such as lethargy, reluctance to jump or climb, stiffness, or bunny hopping — will be carefully considered.
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Chiropractic care focuses on assessing joint mobility, particularly within the spine and pelvis, to identify restrictions that may affect movement, comfort, or nervous system function. Gentle, precise adjustments are used to restore normal joint motion and support balanced biomechanics. Soft tissue treatment complements this by reducing muscle tension and restrictions that may limit joint range of movement, helping the body adapt and maintain these changes.
Palpation is used both to familiarise your dog with my touch and to assess the soft tissues. This involves evaluating the “four T’s”: tenderness, texture, temperature, and tone. Through palpation, areas of muscle tension, altered tone, trigger points, scarring, or temperature changes can be identified, which may indicate underlying dysfunction. This assessment is usually carried out with your dog standing, but adjustments will be made if they are more comfortable lying down.
The soft tissue component may be incorporated where appropriate and typically involves working through the whole body rather than focusing solely on isolated areas of concern. Each session is tailored to the individual dog, with techniques adapted according to comfort and response. Soft tissue treatment helps to reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, support flexibility, and prepare the body for chiropractic input where indicated. Your dog’s physical and emotional responses will be closely monitored throughout the session.
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Each session typically lasts 45–50 minutes, with your dog’s comfort, safety, and wellbeing remaining the highest priority at all times.
At the end of the session, you will be provided with a clear summary of findings, including diagrammatic notes highlighting any areas of concern. You will also receive tailored aftercare advice, including guidance on activity levels, exercises, or simple techniques to support your dog between visits. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions.
The aim of chiropractic and soft tissue treatment is to support improvement within one to three sessions, although this will vary depending on the individual dog, the nature of the findings, and their response to treatment.
