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Equine Physiotherapy

How can physiotherapy help your horse?

 

Physiotherapy is not only beneficial post injury/surgical rehabilitation, it has many other benefits too. Regardless of discipline or age, every horse can benefit from physiotherapy. Regular assessments every 3-6 months can identify any minor changes in muscle symmetry, or tone and prevent this from developing into a chronic issue. 

As an owner, you may notice subtle changes to your horse’s behaviour and performance which may indicate the need for a physiotherapy session. This could present as reduced bend, reluctance to engage, inconsistent contact, inability to take the correct canter lead or a change in temperament. 

Incorporating physiotherapy into your horse’s routine can also improve their performance. Maintaining suppleness, increased joint range of motion and increasing fitness will ensure your horse is performing at their best. 

 

Working alongside a veterinary surgeon, physiotherapeutic techniques can be applied to reduce pain, correct muscle asymmetries and restore normal muscle function or simply improve your horse's  quality of life. 

Equine H Wave Therapy
Equine massage physiotherapy

These conditions can often present as:

  • Bucking, rearing, napping behaviour.

  • Stiffness on one rein, working hollow, head tilting

  • Disunited in canter or unable to get correct lead

  • ‘Cold backed’ tendencies, saddle fit problems

  • Muscle asymmetry or imbalance, uneven shoe wear

If your horse is showing any of the above behaviours and you think your horse would benefit from a physiotherapy assessment or treatment please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Laura to discuss.

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Also keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram for information, videos and photos of some equine treatments

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  • Instagram
  • Facebook

Common equine conditions which can be helped with physiotherapy:

  • Back pain from known conditions e.g. kissing spines, degenerative facet joints, secondary to a fore or hindlimb lameness.

  • Neck pain e.g. associated with either an acute injury, fall, arthritis or secondary to a forelimb lameness.

  • Specific muscle, tendon or ligament injuries or joint arthritis

  • Pelvic pain from sacro-iliac disease, an injury or secondary to known lameness

  • Muscle wasting or asymmetries associated with the above

  • Regular therapy to maintain/ improve core strength and  fitness

Laser Therapy in Racehorses

Vet Consent 

Why is veterinary consent required?

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The Veterinary Surgeon's Act (1966) requires Veterinary Physiotherapists to have permission to assess or treat an animal. This ensures that the animal is suitable to undertake a physiotherapy assessment and treatment. This consent and/or notification will be required before physiotherapy treatment can start. 

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For animals not currently under veterinary review or treatment, consent is not necessary. However, LHB Vet Physio will notify your vet practice prior to treating your animal. All prices for the initial assessment includes a written report for your vet or insurance company if required. Veterinary Physiotherapy is often covered by insurance companies, please call to discuss.

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Case Study : Gabe's story

Horse after maintenance Physiotherapy

The lovely Gabe is a 14 year old ex hunt horse who has been with Hannah for eight years.  He only started schooling work later in his career, he is quite reactive which has caused a lot of areas of tension and he has particularly struggled with ridden canter work. Hannah had been working consistently and successfully with her instructor to develop the canter and to strengthen Gabe's core and top line.   

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Gabe then had a period of enforced time off due to a yard move where there was no school followed by a couple  of months of bad weather causing hard ground. Laura saw Gabe and felt he would benefit from some regular maintenance physiotherapy sessions to release some areas of tension and encourage a better posture; this in turn would help with resuming his ridden work. Hannah said:

“I have noticed a huge difference in Gabe already. He’s feels so much more underneath me and engaged behind. I’m finding that because he’s more engaged behind it’s really helping with his canter work, which you know has been a struggle. Huge improvement already ”

Regular physio particularly after periods of inconsistent or no work can be beneficial to improving performance, reduce the risk of injury, help maintain suppleness and fitness. 

If you think your horse would benefit from a physio session, you would like to book an assessment  or you have any questions please get in touch.

 

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