Until recently, complimentary therapies were not given their due credit as science favoured synthetic drugs hailed as panaceas.

Due to complications and side-effects associated with modern medicine, focus is returning to natural remedies along with hands on techniques such as massage, aromatherapy and acupuncture.

Indeed, if you are referred to an Orthopaedic Surgeon, it is likely that their solution will be surgery! However, Chiropractors and Osteopaths offer non-surgical solutions to many conditions but are not paid for by the NHS and are therefore not recommended by GPs.

The complementary therapy market has grown to around £200 million per year in the uk with interest continually growing.

This u-turn is demonstrated by the number of herbal supplements available to calm horses and improve their state of mind. Many shampoos, fly sprays, etc. are now aromatherapy based and made from natural plant extracts.

Holistic therapy encompasses the mind, the body and the spirit ... the very essence of the personality (and never a truer word said than with our equine friends!) ... in other words "the whole".

There is nothing quite like a happy horse ... and there is nothing quite like an unhappy horse!