Equine Osteopathy

Marnie Raymond, Certified Equine Diplomat of Osteopathy (EDO) and Equine Massage Therapist at McKee Pownall Equine Services, brings a wealth of expertise and a passion for holistic horse care

Marnie’s advanced training at the prestigious Vluggen Institute for Equine Osteopathy sets her apart in the field of equine osteopathy. The Vluggen Institute for Equine Osteopathy is the only institution recognized by the International Register of Equine Osteopaths (IREO), ensuring that Marnie has received world-class education and certification. Her dedication to her studies is exemplified by completing an intense, four-year program, earning her the title of Equine Diplomat of Osteopathy.

Marnie also boasts 16 years of working as a Certified Equine Massage Therapist and adds PEMF and Equine Physio Tape to her modality toolbox.  Our veterinarians and Marnie work closely to ensure your horse benefits from continuity of care. She will provide these services at your farm and our Performance Center, without call fees.

Whether your horse is preparing for the show season, recovering from an injury, or simply deserving of some well-earned pampering, Marnie and our team of veterinarians are here to help create a personalized care plan tailored to your horse’s unique needs.

Equine Osteopathy

Equine osteopathy is a manual therapy that takes a holistic, full-body approach to horse health. It involves examining the musculoskeletal system, craniosacral system, and the visceral system to identify and address underlying imbalances.
By assessing these internal systems, osteopathy allows the horse to move more freely, feel more comfortable, and potentially resolve issues that may not be immediately apparent.
**When is Osteopathy Recommended and for What Horses?**
The short answer? Always! Osteopathy is recommended for a wide range of horses, particularly those showing signs of discomfort, imbalance, or subtle behavioral changes that may indicate musculoskeletal issues. It’s not just for horses with overt injuries, but also for those that are simply not performing at their best or seem to be "off" in some way. This can include horses that are:
displaying sudden behavior changes
being difficult under saddle
issues with movement
stopping at jumps
having difficulty switching leads
exhibiting a head tilt

Osteopathy is beneficial for horses in all disciplines—whether they’re performance horses or leisure horses. The therapy works by focusing on the whole horse, using hands-on techniques to encourage movement, balance, and the proper alignment of the body. By doing so, it helps relieve pain, restore flexibility, and improve overall function.

Importantly, osteopathy works in conjunction with traditional veterinary care. By collaborating with our veterinary team, Marnie can help enhance the recovery process, provide preventative care, and address specific areas of concern in a tailored manner. For example, if a horse is recovering from an injury or surgery, osteopathy can aid in rehabilitation by improving circulation, reducing muscle tension, and facilitating mobility, all while helping to prevent future injuries.

Book Osteopathic Mobility Assessment

Visceral System

Visceral work on horses, specifically through a procedure called "pelvic room exam", is a treatment that may be recommended after an osteopathy mobility session, where Dr. Robinson uses rectal mobilization to address immobility and restrictions of the pelvic room viscera. During this process, she checks and restores the osteopathic mobility of various internal organs like the ovaries, bladder, kidneys, and others, as well as looking for any pathologies. By restoring mobility within the viscera it allows for the body to self correct back into a state of homeostasis or health.

In Canada, only a licensed DVM is permitted to perform internal or pelvic exams, which makes Dr. Robinson’s qualifications particularly valuable for providing the most thorough and comprehensive assessments.