Question 1

What is Osteopathy?

Accepted Answer

Osteopathy is a method of assessing and treating an individual to optimise their function, it involves a range of techniques depending of the tissues being targeted and the health of the individual.
 
For more information see https://www.osteopathy.org.au

Question 2

What is Animal Biomechanical Medicine?

Accepted Answer

ABM is a group of professionals, Veterinarians, Chiropractors and Osteopaths who have gone on to study a postgraduate diploma in biomechanical assessment and treatment.
 
For more information please go to https://www.abmprof.com.au

Question 3

How much do you charge?

Accepted Answer

Prices effective 24 July 2023

Equine Consultation - $150
Foal Consultation - $80 
New Client Admin Fee - $5 (added to initial booking only)

All consultations are per booking plus travel.*

Travel Costs
0-1hr - $15 per booking (Richmond Valley and Ballina Shires)
1h-1.5hrs - $20 per booking (Lismore/Kyogle/Clarence Valley Shires)
Over 1.5hrs - $25 minimum (Tweed/Byron Shires)

Travel is charged per location, not per horse and is split between properties with multiple owners.*

Saddle Assessments
$25 per saddle - Approx 15mins

*For 3 or more return horses in the same location, a discount of $25 per horse is offered (total consultation charge of $125 per horse).
 
**All initial consultations are $150 regardless of how many horses there are, as initial consultations take longer (1hr) as a full assessment of the new horse is required.

Initial Consultations generally take up to 1 hour.
Return Consultations generally take 30-45 mins.
Foal Consultations generally take 30 mins.

Question 4

How do I make an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Message Amanda by TEXT 0424077094 or through messenger.
 
Reception hours are Monday to Friday 9am-5pm.

Find me on Facebook @EquineBiomechanics
 
You can email our team here hello@equinebiomechanics.info but due to being out in the field most weekdays, emails are only checked weekly.

Question 5

What do I need to do before my appointment?

Accepted Answer

IMPORTANT! Please have the horse caught and (mostly) unrugged.
 
While your horse may ordinarily be easy to catch, in the interests of time efficiency, having your horse ready to go is imperative so that I can be on time for my next appointment.
 
Please read our Pre Treatment Information - Click Here

Question 6

Do I need to secure my dog(s)?

Accepted Answer

As I need to concentrate on assessing and treating your horse, your dog/s needed to be secured away from the work area.
If your dogs are a distraction, you'll be asked to lock them up and possibly a new time will need booked, at your additional expense.

Question 7

Can I ride my horse straight after their treatment?

Accepted Answer

Depending on what the issue being treated is, the horse’s state of health and how long they have had it, some horses will need up to 3 days or more of rest with light or unridden work in that period.
 
If you have a competition very soon after, I need to know this before I start treating your horse.

Question 8

Can I get an appointment right before a event, competition or race?"

Accepted Answer

In the interests of both the horse and riders wellbeing and safety, I can't and won't treat a horse just prior to an event, unless I have a prior working relationship with this animal.

Question 9

What type of horses do you work on?

Accepted Answer

I work on all types and all breeds of horse, and have treated and helped maintain the working life of older horses, foals and young horses, school horses, kids ponies and horses, vaulting horses, hacks, show hunters, trail horses, endurance, paddock companions, working equitation horses, Dressage horses, Show jumpers, Eventers, western pleasure, campdrafters, racehorses, working horses, polo and poloX horses. PLUS pregnant horses.

Question 10

How do I work with you?

Accepted Answer

We enjoy working with owners and riders, professional or amateur, who are willing and ready to help improve the relationship they have with their horse. 
 
This is purely a safety and welfare issue; horses that are comfortable moving and performing the tasks asked of them are easier to handle and can move with greater ease and less resistance.

Question 11

What's expected of you?

Accepted Answer

While I can help change the biomechanics of your horse, it is your job to grow and build muscle for your animal and practise improving their coordination. I liken it to learning the piano; you can be taught the notes, but without practising your scales you won't progress.
 
As this is a team effort, you may be asked to;
~ Change how you are riding your horse
~ Perform exercises to help with a specific issue
~ Alter their management when you are not riding (such as feed height, foam mats, different paddock etc).
All of this is so that we work cohesively with your Veterinarians, Instructors, Farriers/Trimmers and Saddle Fitters.
 
I do my best work when your entire team is on the same page. Working collaboratively with Veterinarians, Instructors, Farriers/Trimmers and Saddle Fitters ensures the best possible outcome for you and your animal.

Question 12

Do you work on people as well?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  
 
Please contact me to arrange an appointment.

Question 13

What is the specific foam that you use and where can I buy it?

Accepted Answer

The foam I use is from Clark Rubber (see links page)

Black foam: EVA 75 25mm
 
Blue/grey foam: EVA 30 40mm
 
Mambo pool skate: BigW
 
If you have other options at home, such as a kick-board, a yoga mat which can be cut up, a foam tile from Bunnings etc - all of these will do to start with.

Question 14

How do you become an ABM Practitioner?

Accepted Answer

All ABM practitioners, veterinarians, chiropractors & osteopaths, have to hold the relevant documentation in their own fields, this is usually at least 5 years of formal study, they also have to have been working full time in their own field for at least 2 years minimum before they are eligible for enrolment.
 
For more information, please see https://www.abmprof.com.au/course-information/

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Frequently asked questions