Abi McGuinness Chiropractic

25/11/2025

We’ve got some exciting news!
Andrei Poenaru has now joined the clinic and will be offering sports massage treatments Thursday - Saturday. Andrei is a McTimoney Chiropractic student about to begin the final year of his master’s degree and is a level 4 qualified sports massage therapist.
Sports massage is a great way to support your chiropractic care and keep your body feeling its best.
It also isn’t just for athletes! — it’s great for anyone who wants to:
Ease tight or sore muscles
Recover faster after exercise
Improve flexibility and movement
Feel more relaxed and balanced
👉 Appointments are open now!
Call us on 07831329522 or visit www.abimcguinnesschiropractic.co.uk to book your session online.
We can’t wait to help you feel even better! 💪🏼

15/07/2025

Horses are rarely aggressive, nasty or ‘naughty’ just for the sake of it. Spirited or cheeky, yes. But not plain naughty. Negative behaviour is their only way of communicating that they are either fearful or in pain. It is up to us to listen and act.
Sometimes, as this post shows, there can be structural malformations that create pain, but often it can be issues such as dental discomfort, ill fitting tack, foot imbalances or biomechanical dysfunctions.
Maintenance chiropractic treatments for your horse can help maintain balance and optimal joint mobility and function, therefore reducing biomechanical aches and pains.

He wasn’t naughty
He wasn’t an a**hole
He wasn’t “just being difficult”

He was however so skeletally compromised that a comfortable ridden life was never going to happen and time was against him. Not every horse is suitable to be ridden just the same as not every human is compatible with being an athlete. We need to normalise that behaviour is communication. We need to accept that there are many things in a horses body that make riding super hard for them.

This horse went through two breakers before his owner very diligently persisted with positive reinforcement training. He did make excellent progress, that is to be commended! But here’s my issue, positive reinforcement sometimes still masks these issues. It became obvious to his owner that he was becoming more internalised and less happy even in the paddock. Horses will try harder if you ask them nicely and there’s rewards for good behaviour. I’m not saying positive reinforcement is bad, it’s a great tool….im just saying it can mask serious issues. The biggest give away was how seriously assymetric he was. This is something I have felt many times while ridng these types. Asymmetry is normal but riding a horse that has wildly different left and right reins is not normal.

This is so complex on so many levels, so many.

Ever met a horse that was odd from birth? I believe inherited trauma is also a real factor, if you haven’t read the study on mice and how it took many generations to stop passing along, I suggest you do. It’s now well documented in humans too. Link below.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fearful-memories-passed-down/

This guys story is available on patreon.

https://www.patreon.com/collection/1606429in

23/06/2025

28/03/2025

I’m back… all mended, thanks to our wonderful NHS. Normal clinic hours commence from next week so online booking is back and I am contactable as usual! Have a fabulous Friday 🙏🏻 chiropractor

20/03/2025

Apologies to everyone for the inconvenience, and thank you so much for the lovely messages and well wishes. I should be back in action towards the end of next week. I am still contactable by message or email in the meantime 😊

20/03/2025

When girthing up a horse, it’s important not to over-tighten the girth. An over-tightened girth may pinch or bruise the muscles, especially those in the chest (pectorals), the neck (trapezius), the side of the ribcage (serratus ventralis), and the lower back (latissimus dorsi), which are shown in red on the diagram bel. Similar to how a tight belt can cause discomfort or bruising in a human, an overly tight girth can cause soreness in these areas. It may also lead to bruising of the ribs and the intercostal muscles (the muscles between the ribs), restricting movement and causing pain. Additionally, the tightness will cause the saddle to put more pressure on the horse’s back muscles, leading to further discomfort.

Think of it like wearing a belt that’s too tight around your waist: it presses into your skin and muscles, causing discomfort, restricting movement, and potentially causing bruising. Just as you wouldn’t wear a belt so tight that it hurts, it’s crucial not to over-tighten the girth to avoid these issues for the horse. Always ensure the girth is snug, but not excessively tight, to keep the horse comfortable and prevent injury.

23/10/2024

ASKHQ: WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE CHOOSING TO BACK THEIR HORSES LATER?

A: In recent years, many people are choosing to back their horses later than was traditionally done. This shift is largely influenced by growing awareness of the horse’s physical and mental development in these key areas:

1. Joint and skeletal maturity
Horses’ bones, joints, and ligaments are not fully developed until they are older. The horse's spine, in particular, continues to grow and mature up to five or even six years of age, depending on the breed. Riding a horse too early can place stress on immature joints, potentially leading to long-term orthopaedic issues like arthritis or joint injuries.

2. Muscle development
Giving a horse time to build its muscles naturally before introducing a rider helps prevent injuries. Early riding can cause strain or incorrect muscle development, which could affect the horse’s balance and performance later in life.

3. Mental maturity
Horses that are backed later often display better focus and willingness to learn. Younger horses may not yet have the mental capacity to cope with the pressures of training and riding, leading to frustration, confusion, or resistance. By waiting, trainers allow the horse to mature mentally, making the training process smoother and less stressful and the horse’s association with riding more pleasant.

Ultimately, then horses that are backed later may have longer, healthier careers, as their bodies and minds are better prepared to handle the physical demands of riding. Waiting allows for more sustainable development, potentially improving longevity and performance.

31/03/2024

Happy Easter all! I’ve been at the allotment breaking my back! Nothing a hot crossed bun and a cup of tea…And a chiropractic treatment come Tuesday won’t solve!!!
Enjoy the chocolate and Monday off of work! 🐣

24/12/2023

Hey everybody! Wishing you all a jolly, fun filled Christmas, and a happy new year. Thank you for all being so fabulous to work with…people and animals! See you all in 2024 🥂❤️