Frequently Asked Questions...
Do I need to contact my vet before booking an appointment?
Yes, as I will need to gain veterinarian clearance before working on your horse. By law any practitioner that visits your horse must be given consent, encase of contraindications that you may be unaware of, this includes for wellness sessions. This can be done by phoning your vet and getting them to send their written consent via email to info@kayburtequinetherapy.co.uk confirming there are no reasons at present that massage is not permitted. If your horse is currently being seen by your vet for a particular injury or disease I may need to discuss with them areas to avoid. Once vet clearance has been received we can arrange booking in your session. When doing so please mention any preferences to days/ times so I can find the best appointment that suits you.
What should I expect?
I will require you to fill out a form detailing information about your horse. I normally have you fill this out when I arrive but forms can be emailed over beforehand if requested. For insurance reasons I am required to document each case I visit.
When I arrive I will firstly make a quick initial assessment of your horse (ideally in their stable) and introduce myself. I then like to see the horse move on flat hard ground, as well as, on a soft surface. This will involve walking and trotting your horse in a straight line, turning them on a tight circle and backing them up. If you have access to and are able to lunge your horse then this can be done. For horses I meet for the first time I like to see them lunged in all three paces on both reins. This of course is dependant on each individual horse and their capabilities. If there is a particular ridden issue you are experiencing I may ask you to ride the horse to show me. This normally takes around 30 - 40 minutes, depending on what the horse shows that day. I then like the horse to stand up square so I can finish my assessment and note my findings before starting the bodywork session.
During the massage I like the horse to be wherever they are most contented. Some horses like to stay in their stable while others are happier to be tied on the yard or particular area that is familiar to them. Wherever it is it needs to have shelter from the weather, as we all know it can change and there is nothing more disruptive then having to move a horse when they are in full swing of their session. I also like the horse to have access to hay while I work, if need be I can take the haynet away at certain points. Depending on the horse I may need a handler but I prefer to read the horse's behaviour when they are left loose tied or free for me to move around with them. For the first session I like the owner to be there as I often ask questions throughout my session. Once I am familiar with you and your horse I often work alone and can debrief afterwards should it not be possible for you to be there at the time of the session. In this case I do require someone present to walk and trot the horse up at the start of each session. Sometimes I cannot talk during my sessions as I need to concentrate on what your horse is presenting to me but I am happy to answer any questions and go back through what I find at the end.
What do I need to do?
Your horse needs to be relatively clean and dry for their session - thick mud and wet coats mean I cannot massage effectively and can irritate the horse. At the same time fly sprays and show sheen make massaging impossible so please refrain from using before I arrive. If your horse is easily distracted it may be best to book an appointment during the yards more quieter periods.
What happens after?
I like to write up my sessions and email over a copy with follow up exercises. Sometimes I will give the owner basic massage techniques or suggested exercises to help in between my sessions. I tend to demonstrate these after my session but I am more than happy to email over additional ones in between if you need more. I am also more than happy to share, given your permission, my session forms to other members of your horse's team such as chiropractors and vets etc.
How long does each session take?
As my work is varied no session is the same. Each time I visit, the horse will present another area to focus on, therefore some sessions may take longer than others but I aim to be with you no less than an hour. First sessions will take a minimum of 2 hours due to the initial assessments. Follow up sessions normally last between 1 hour and 1 1/2 hours. If your horse is unhappy with any of the work then we may take longer and divide the session up into smaller bits, providing them with breaks throughout (this is often the case with young horses).
What is that clicking or popping sound?
I do not perform chiropractic adjustments so you will not see me clicking anything back into alignment. You may hear clicks and other such noises during the soft tissue mobilisation techniques that I use. All of these noises are perfectly normal and similar to your knees and wrists clicking when you release muscular tension. The work I do targets mainly the soft tissue structures that have a knock on effect to the boney structures. This work complements the work of my osteopathic and chiropractor colleagues.
When do I need to book in again?
As each horse and their session is unique this is entirely dependant on what is found, how your horse responds to the work and your goals. If your sessions are apart of a wellness programme then we can spread these further apart. For some, these sessions are used as part of a preventative care programme, to catch any early niggles before they escalate into something more. In an ideal world I like to keep on eye on horses every 6-8 weeks but some I only tick over a couple of times a year. Others I see on a monthly basis. I always leave this up to the discretion of the owner to re-book but I advise at the end of each session how long roughly I would like to see them again. Horses will be horses at the end of the day.
Booking a session close to a competition?
If your horse is regularly competing no matter the discipline, I ask that you leave at least two weeks between my first session and the competition, so we can see how your horse responds to the work. Once we know how your horse responds to the work we can go from there.
What if my horse trots up lame?
Unfortunately, sometimes these things happen. If your horse trots up lame and the vet hasn't been to investigate Iam legally not allowed to complete my session. If this is normal for your horse and the vet has been to diagnose then this will be included on your notes.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
I ask for a minimum of 24 hours notice but I do understand sometimes things happen outside of our control so as soon as possible would be much appreciated. The cost of travel may be asked if only visiting one horse or if you are located outside of Essex and the surrounding counties.
Do you have any discounts on more than one horse per yard?
As each horse is treated as an individual there are no discounts on horses at the same yard. There is a £5 off your next session offer for every new person you recommend that books in. For owners that have more than 5 horses done at once there is a discounted price, for further information please contact Kay to discuss.
