Equine Physiotherapy
Caring for Your Pets
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Equine Physiotherapy is beneficial for horses of all disciplines, competition levels, and ages. Physiotherapy can support the well-being of horses and enable participation in activities.
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It is important to work in conjunction with your vet, farrier and saddle fitter for lameness, neurological or post-surgical patient cases.
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As well as treating a specific problem, physiotherapy can be used to maintain good performance. Regular sessions can assess and treat problems at an early stage before they cause compensatory movement patterns that adversely affect performance and cause injury. Interventions used reduce pain, improve muscle control and correct movement patterns so that your horse can function as normally as possible. Horses are treated at their own yard and the physiotherapist will travel to you.
Assessment:
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The assessment involves finding out the patient’s history, routine and current problems.
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Dogs and horses standing posture and gait will be assessed. Horses will be ridden where necessary.
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The muscles and soft tissues will be palpated, and joint range of movement assessed and appropriate outcome measures used.
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The assessment is used to identify functional problems such as weakness, pain, muscle spasm, altered movement pattern or reduced movement of a joint.
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Horses frequently have issues related to an underlying cause. These can include orthopedic problems such as kissing spines, tendon or ligament injuries, foot pain, arthritis, rider imbalance, inappropriate training programs or poorly fitting tack. These will need additional input from the specific professional( Vet, Farrier etc.) for management of the problem.
