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3.2 Qualitative analysis

The Dartfish program was used for the qualitative analysis. In the processing of the images, it became apparent that it was not feasible to superimpose the “before treatment” and “after treatment” images and view them in a way that would show the difference in freedom of movement. Although the speed on the treadmill was always identical to the previous test session for each study animal, it was very difficult to superimpose the images. The first reason was the sideways movement of the study animals during walking. The second reason was determining the precise timeframe and the commencement of the movement, in order to superimpose the images.

However, the program was used to view the images of the study animals “before treatment”, “30’ after treatment” and ‘5 weeks after treatment’ side by side, and thus make an analysis. There was always a top view and a rear view in order to compare the study animals.

 

For study animal 7: Paride

Before treatment, the right tu ber coxae did not come down during walking. Study animal 7 carries its right side stiffly when walking.

After the treatment, there as very little difference compared with before the treatment. However, there was more movement in the left side of the pelvis. Study animal 7 always walks with its pelvis upward.

Five weeks after the treatment, study animal 7 walked much less with its pelvis upward. There was a symmetric movement of the left and right tu ber coxae. The movements in the lumbar spinal column were also freer during walking. The movements are much easier and more controlled than before treatment, but could still improve. Study animal 7 still slinks along the treadmill, and looks like it is shuffling along.

 

 

3.3 Subjective analysis

 

3.3.7 Study animal 7: Paride

Paride was given an entire week’s rest after the treatment. After that week, in the 2 nd week, the horse was worked mainly on a long rein. Furthermore, she was ridden 3 to 4 times per week with loose reins or walked. After the treatment, Paride was much more lively in the ring. She also responds better to firm handling.

In the osteopathic examination of Paride, we still found a slightly sensitive area around the lumbar spinal column. However, there are no other problems any more.

Score according to the rider before the treatment: 6/10.

Score according to the rider after the treatment: 8/10.

 

 

4. Treatment

 

All the study horses were treated osteopathically during the first test session by the lecturers of the I.C.R.E.O. It was decided to treat each horse in its entirety, not just lesions that might be connected to the mobility of the lumbar spinal column and the pelvis. This is because an osteopathic treatment cannot be interpreted correctly if it is not carried out in according with best practice.

During the treatment, only manual techniques were used. The study animals received no form of sedation whatever before or during the treatment.

The following techniques were used:

• manipulative techniques: rebound techniques, strain-counterstrain, direct-thrust manipulations for the various parts of the spinal column;
• facial techniques;
• visceral techniques;
• cranio-sacral techniques

 

 

Discussion

 

The purpose of this research was to examine whether there was a difference in the analysed movement of the lower back and the pelvis during walking, before and after osteopathic treatment.

This examination occurred via image analysis, whereby measurements were performed on two different days. This kind of approach must take account of the fact that the comparison of the results of the different days can be influenced by the reliability of the measuring instrument used (technical variability), as well as the day-to-day variability of the physiological variables (biological variability).

A few other things must be taken into account with regard to the study and the tests themselves.

In vivo treatment of the spinal column is more difficult due to a num ber of factors:

• - the movements are complex and relatively small, making accurate measuring techniques necessary;
• - the skin that covers the spinal column prevents direct observation and quantification of the vertebral movements;
• - the paravertebral musculature it difficult to deal with the spinal column.

 

Working with transcutaneous markers could give us a more exact picture, but in view of the limited possibilities and the ethical question that arises in that context, this was ruled out as an option.

Remarkably little research has been carried out into the osteopathic treatment of horses. As far as the interest of this study is concerned, a longitudinal study is required, with a timespan of a few months.

The processing of the images in this study only involves five walking cycles per study animal. There are quite a lot of possibilities for expanding this study. The degree of transfer could be incorporated, as well as expanding the image analysis by recordings of the sagittal plane. One could also examine differences depending on the type of step: collected walk, medium walk and extended walk.

In the study, the study animals were not compared with “normal/healthy/control” horses. There is little or no literature about the normal stride pattern of horses. What is normal? What is right? What is standard? These are questions that cannot be resolved and which make comparison with a “normal/healthy/control” horse impossible. For that reasons, we only compare the horses before and after the osteopathic treatment and not with a control group and/or a standard pattern. One horse may display more rotation of the pelvis to compensate its walking movement, while another horse will display more lateroreflexion. Whether this depends on the breed, the discipline, etc. is unclear.

According to Fa ber et al. (2002), horses have an individual anatomical variability and an individual preference for a specific movement pattern. To maintain the same speed, they use a different combination of stride length and duration. Likewise, horses use different combinations of movements of the vertebrae to obtain the freedom of movement of the back that is necessary for the most supple movement pattern possible.

From this research, it emerged that the major differences were noticeable between measurement 1 and measurement 3. Thirty minutes after osteopathic treatment, there was an improvement in every case. This was less pronounced in comparison with measurement 3 in relation to measurement 1. These findings can be explained by the fact that the body needs a certain time after treatment to find a new balance. This is one of the basic principles within osteopathy: endeavouring to achieve homeostasis (A.T. Still, 1904).

It is hard to compare this study with other studies, since there have not yet been any studies into the effect of such osteopathic treatments.

During this study, a subjective analysis was also performed. Before and after the osteopathic treatment, the owner/rider of the study animal was asked to give a score out of 10 to its riding behaviour/stable behaviour. Five weeks after the treatment, the score was noticeably higher in each case. From this, we can conclude that for the owner/rider, an improvement was perceptible in the riding/stable behaviour.

 

Overall conclusion

 

In recent years, there has been considerable controversy about equine osteopathy. Various in vivo studies have been carried out into the movements of the back in various gaits by, inter alia, Denoix (1999), Fa ber (2000, 2001), Licka (2001), Wennerstrand (2004), Dyson (2004) and Keegan (2004). Van Weeren et al. (2002) did a long-term follow-up of manipulative treatments of horses with back problems. Wakeling et al. (2006) looked into the effect of spinal manipulation and reflex inhibition techniques. Haussler treated horses using chiropraxis. Too little is known about the efficacy of osteopathic treatment of horses because too few independent studies have been published in this specialist field. Therefore it is necessary to carry out more research into these treatments of horses. This study showed that the movements of the pelvis and lower back were more symmetrical and smoother. The quantitative and qualitative analysis showed an improvement half an hour after the treatment. Five weeks after the treatment, an even greater improvement was noticeable. The subjective analysis, consisting of the scores awarded by the owners/riders of the horses, and requested five weeks after the treatment, also showed an improvement. From the quantitative, qualitative and subjective analysis, it can be concluded that osteopathic treatment gives an improvement in the movement of the horse’s pelvis and lower back.

Percentage changes for the 7 study horses.

 

	Before treatment	After treatment	Difference	%	After 5 weeks	Difference	%
1	7.194193	7.922189	0.73	10.12	12.752483	5.56	77.26
2	8.319684	19.932261	11.61	139.58	20.16588	11.85	142.39
3	10.678693	17.633328	6.95	65.13	18.41739	7.74	72.47
4	7.214138	10.88483	3.67	50.88	11.329165	4.12	57.04
5	8.696087	10.45836	1.76	20.27	14.817974	6.12	70.40
6	10.589044	13.311665	2.72	25.71	14.476439	3.89	36.71
7	9.040955	12.122793	3.08	34.09	14.163919	5.12	56.66
1	5.5564	5.714699	0.16	2.85	14.139557	8.58	154.47
2	9.352249	15.144012	5.79	61.93	15.843056	6.49	69.40
3	6.130539	9.263519	3.13	51.10	9.338013	3.21	52.32
4	7.34079	9.290871	1.95	26.57	10.695129	3.35	45.69
5	8.040038	8.742897	0.70	8.74	13.411217	5.37	66.81
6	7.859856	8.284889	0.43	5.41	10.171898	2.31	29.42
7	4.641983	6.887298	2.25	48.37	10.82975	6.19	133.30

Table 4 : Percentage changes for the 7 study animals

 

 

SA 1	4	7
SA 2	6	8.5
SA 3	6	8
SA 4	8	9
SA 5	6	8
SA 6	6.5	8
SA 7	6	8

Table 5 : subjective changes in the study animals. Score out of 10.