Equine Services

Horses

Physiotherapy can be beneficial to all horses and ponies. Examples of benefits include:

Maintaining mobility and suppleness in older horses to reduce stiffness and pain to enhance quality of life
Aid healing, reduce pain and inflammation following injury or surgery to assist recovery with the aim of returning the horse to full health and fitness
Assisting in gait re-education in chronic conditions
Improving strength, suppleness and performance in competition horses as well as maintaining performance longer term

Conditions that may benefit from physiotherapy include:

Osteoarthritis
Tendon and ligament injuries
Muscular strains/tears/atrophy
Overriding or Impinging Dorsal Spinous Processes (Kissing Spines), post surgery or conservative management
Nerve damage/neurological issues
Sacroiliac injuries/pain
Neck/back pain

Reduced performance and schooling issues may also benefit from physiotherapy to help find the root cause, address movement dysfunction and maintain musculoskeletal health.

Signs that your horse may benefit from physiotherapy include:

Disunited canter
Difficulty striking off on a particular canter lead
Behavioural problems (bucking/rearing/napping/change in character)
Inability/reluctant to stand square
Excessive tail swishing
Jumping issues (refusals/rushing/change in character)
Difficulty working in an outline/maintaining an outline
Head shaking/tilting
Stiffness/reluctance to bend
Toe dragging
Lack of topline

Initial Treatments

Before your horse's initial treatment, permission can be obtained from your Veterinary Surgeon by us or you can request permission using the consent form below either way this is required prior to treatment. It is a legal requirement under Sections 19 and 20 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and Veterinary Surgery (Exemptions) Order 1962 to gain this permission prior to physiotherapy treatment.

Initial treatment sessions are 90 minutes duration and include taking your horse's full history and any aims/objectives you may have, a static, dynamic and a thorough palpation assessment to a identify any movement abnormalities, areas of tension/soreness, weaknesses and asymmetries and provides a baseline for any future visits.

Following assessment a logical and thorough treatment plan will be devised including manual, electrotherapies and an individual remedial exercise plan devised to target any movement issues. Manual techniques include massage, myofascial release, stretches and mobilisations as appropriate. Electrotherapies include Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, Phototherapy and TENS. Kinesio taping techniques are also available to prolong the effects of treatment, aid healing and improve muscle function. Any findings and the best way to proceed for you and your horse will be discussed with yourself and any involved professionals including your Vet, Farrier, Trainer or Saddler to provide the best possible programme, a holistic approach and a successful return to function.

You will receive a report via email/post within 2 days of treatment containing details on any findings, treatment and exercises prescribed and follow-up advice will be available as required. Depending on your horse, the type of problem and how well they respond to the initial treatment will dictate if, when and how many follow-up sessions will be required.

Follow-Up Treatments

A follow-up treatment is 60 minutes duration and involves the same process as an initial but as your details will be known it will be catching up on progress and any changes in circumstance or performance to ensure that progress is maintained.

Treatment Charges

All treatments are charged at £50 per horse including travel costs (within 40 miles of SY7 8HG). For group bookings of 3+ horses at the same yard treatments are charged at £45 per horse (travel as above). It may be possible for your horse to come to me if longer term treatment is required - contact me for more details about this service.

Photizo Vetcare Phototherapy Units

Strides VP now have Photizo Vetcare units available to hire. The Photizo Vetcare is an LED device that emits red and infrared light that penetrates the skin to stimulate energy production (and other metabolic processes) in targeted areas. Infrared light can create a healing effect and injured cells can actually be rejuvenated by light energy. Photizo Vetcare relieves pain, swelling, inflammation and stimulates healing. It can be used between physiotherapy sessions to help manage chronic issues or post-surgery / injury to aid recovery. The Vetcare unit is safe and easy to use, if you would like some more information about the unit or hiring one please email me. Hire charges start at £25/week and purchase price is £279 (any hire charges incurred will be deducted).