Why do I need to obtain veterinary consent?
The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (VSA) states that only vets are allowed to diagnose an injury and give advice based on the diagnosis. Therefore, under current legislation, a vet should examine the patient, make a diagnosis and decide on a course of action, before any form of therapy is administered. Recent clarification from the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) states that: Musculoskeletal maintenance care for a healthy animal, for instance massage, does not require delegation by a veterinary surgeon. However, the animal must still be registered with a veterinary surgeon. Maintenance should cease and the owner of the animal should be asked to take their animal to a veterinary surgeon for clinical examination at the first sign that there may be any underlying injury, disease or pathology.
In short, if your horse has any musculoskeletal issue or sign of ill-health, veterinary consent must be granted before commencing with the massage. If you would like a massage for your healthy horse, for maintenance care, the massage can proceed without veterinary consent. If there are any signs of underlying injury upon findings of the initial assessment or during the massage, the session will cease and you will be asked to seek veterinary advice.
In short, if your horse has any musculoskeletal issue or sign of ill-health, veterinary consent must be granted before commencing with the massage. If you would like a massage for your healthy horse, for maintenance care, the massage can proceed without veterinary consent. If there are any signs of underlying injury upon findings of the initial assessment or during the massage, the session will cease and you will be asked to seek veterinary advice.
Contact details form
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For new clients, to speed up the process on the day, please download the client details form and return back to me at noknotsequine@gmail.com before your first session.
You do not have to do this, you are more than welcome to fill out the form on the day if you are happier with that! |
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On the day
Before I arrive, please make sure that your horse is in from the field, waiting for me in their stable and are clean, dry and mud free (a little bit of dust won't hurt!). This is so I am able to palpate your horse and give a comfortable and effective massage. No horse wants dry mud rubbing across their skin!
For regular clients, who I am familiar with, I am happy to treat your horse without you there. For those of you who would like to observe, please make sure there is a handler who is happy to walk and trot the horse for the dynamic assessment. All new clients must be present at the first appointment to introduce themselves, discuss the history of the horse, goals and concerns, perform the dynamic assessment and to introduce myself to your horse as I am a stranger to them!
I am happy to massage your horse where they are most comfortable, either in the stable, tied up outside or in a washbox. I am passionate that the massage is a positive experience for the horse and so please make sure that any field mates are around if necessary and the environment is quiet (as it can be!) so that the horse does not have anything to worry about and can relax and enjoy the massage to its full potential.
For regular clients, who I am familiar with, I am happy to treat your horse without you there. For those of you who would like to observe, please make sure there is a handler who is happy to walk and trot the horse for the dynamic assessment. All new clients must be present at the first appointment to introduce themselves, discuss the history of the horse, goals and concerns, perform the dynamic assessment and to introduce myself to your horse as I am a stranger to them!
I am happy to massage your horse where they are most comfortable, either in the stable, tied up outside or in a washbox. I am passionate that the massage is a positive experience for the horse and so please make sure that any field mates are around if necessary and the environment is quiet (as it can be!) so that the horse does not have anything to worry about and can relax and enjoy the massage to its full potential.
Nicole Skyrme is a fully qualified and insured Equine Sports Massage Therapist and MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy Student. Based in Buckinghamshire.
