Equine Physiotherapy
Horses of all ages and disciplines whether that be a competition horse or your treasured companion can benefit from physiotherapy, helping to improve musculoskeletal imbalances and symmetry, optimise performance and reduce the likelihood of injuries occurring.
Retired or elderly horses can also benefit from regular physiotherapy sessions to help manage pain and discomfort whether that is due to a chronic condition such as osteoarthritis or general age-related aches and pains.
Physiotherapy can also help in the rehabilitation of your horse post injury aiming to optimise healing and helping to enhance and restore the musculoskeletal system to function the very best, naturally.
It can be difficult to identify some subtle signs of pain in horses but these could include; toe dragging, general stiffness, cold-backed, bucking, behavioural changes, altered posture and loss of or uneven muscle tone.
What to expect during a session?
Prior to treatment, a thorough initial assessment will be carried out. A full dynamic and static assessment of your horse will be carried out which will include a visual gait assessment and hands on palpation to identify any muscular imbalances and skeletal asymmetries. Following the assessment, a treatment programme can then be decided upon which may include:
Soft tissue massage
Myofascial release
Electrotherapies
Stretches
Exercise prescription
Payment is required at the time of treatment.
If you have any further questions about whether physiotherapy may be able to help your horse or would like to know any more information, please get in touch.
Common conditions, problems or injuries that physiotherapy can help with include:-
Back problems (e.g. kissing spines)
Tendon and ligament injuries
Muscle imbalance or asymmetries
Soft tissue injuries
Post-operative rehabilitation
Gait abnormalities
Diagnosed lameness
Joint mobility
Correct way of going; improving posture and strength
Prehabilitation prior to competition (improving performance)
General maintenance and wellbeing
Management of conditions such as osteoarthritis