For Racing and Sport Horses ... Jo Vandemeulebroucke treats horses in an unique way

Following a detailed study of the laws of physical movement, particularly those that govern time and space, as formalised by Albert Einstein (theory of relativity), which culminated in a new understanding of the problem of movement, Jo Vandemeulebroucke, inspired by this view, has adapted the traditional treatment recognised by the Utrecht School of Manual Therapy. Within the VDM concept, the joints are mobilised according to a four-dimensional method - space and time. This has made Jo Vandemeulebroucke the first person in the world to succeed in mobilising in four dimensions. In order to be able to mobilise in four dimensions, it is necessary to imagine 4D representations. This actually requires a curved view of space and time, for which it is vital to have the indispensable manual experience.

The mobilisations provide, by means of the neurological system, very specific information from the motor collagen tissue (joint capsules, ligaments, inter-vertebral discs, meniscus, etc.). The joint movements are therefore made in a more effective way. In this way, the muscles and tendons are able to function by means of a more adequate "lever effect", i.e. by requiring less energy from the movement mechanism. The same task can be completed using less energy. This is known as the ‘minimum principle’. By proceeding in this way, the likelihood of corporal lesions is reduced, since the movement in the joints is made according to the most favourable trajectories. This new theory is currently being studied at the University of Maastricht, at the request of the ‘Nederlandse Beroepsvereniging van Manueel Therapeuten’ (Dutch Association of Manual Therapists). This single treatment system, which has already been presented at conferences, has already been well received by a large number of doctors, engineers, manual therapists, etc. Jo Vandemeulebroucke has adapted this human model to horses.

The concept is applied in order to prevent accidents and enhance performance within sporting environments, both generally and at top level. Higher, faster, stronger (altius, citius, fortius) – for athletes that wish to achieve results at the highest level, the targeted mobilisation of the joints represents a ‘conditio sine qua non’. This is what four-dimensional mobilisations achieve in athletes (whether they are horses or human). This means, for example, that during show jumping, the horse can jump higher. Racing horses can run faster, while dressage horses will be able to move in a more supple manner.As well as training and coaching, it has been shown that movement optimisation is actually indispensable in order to achieve performance at the highest level.

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The muscles can be trained in order to increase strength, coordination and agility. But a joint treatment is necessary to avoid “overload problems". This term is actually inappropriate, as an optimum joint treatment does not cause any overload. Overload results from dysfunctions in the movement chain. The VDM concept corrects the dysfunctions and prevents other dysfunctions from occurring in the future. Moreover, optimum movement conditions will be created, which will increase the sporting performance by means of a completely natural manual method.

At the heart of his practice, Jo Vandemeulebroucke has had the privilege of contributing to remedial/preventative treatment and/or in the field of performance support for a major number of champions both at European and international level and for a wide range of sporting disciplines, also some Group I - winners . The sportsmen, -women and -horses that call upon the services of Jo Vandemeulebroucke therefore include athletes from a very wide range of disciplines.

Giving treatment is a question of experience and agility. It is a matter of understanding the movements and adapting them in a completely professional manner. The treatment takes approximately 45 minutes.

Jo Vandemeulebroucke
manual therapist