What is Veterinary Physiotherapy?
Veterinary Physiotherapy is an animal healthcare profession which utilises a science-based holistic approach in the assessment and treatment of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems.
Although commonly recruited in injury rehabilitation and post-operative cases, Veterinary Physiotherapy can also be a vital tool for performance enhancement to promote longevity in horses’ ridden careers. Therefore, it can benefit any horse from young horses in training to happy hackers to elite competition horses.
The Veterinary Physiotherapist utilises a range of therapeutic techniques to optimise balance, symmetry, coordination, joint range of motion, muscle mass, muscle strength and neurological and musculoskeletal recovery. They can also aid in the reduction of pain, tension, inflammation and dysfunction to help to achieve a happy, healthy horse.
How Do I Know When My Horse Requires Veterinary Physiotherapy?
It might be a good idea to consult a Veterinary Physiotherapist when your horse exhibits:
A sudden change in behaviourA reluctance to go forwards when riddenBucking, rearing or other evasive behavioursAversion to being tacked upSuddenly becoming difficult to catch from the fieldHead shaking/tossing
Poor transitionsDifficulty maintaining a contact when riddenDifficulty turning or bending in one or both directionsExcessive tail swishingStiffness
Veterinary Physiotherapy may also be recommended if:
Your horse hasn't seen a physiotherapist in over 6 monthsYour horse’s workload has recently increased
Your horse has stepped up a level in trainingYour horse is not performing at their optimum
If you are unsure whether your horse may require Veterinary Physiotherapy please contact me for more information. I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have.