Equine Physiotherapy
As a fully registered (ACPAT cat. A) and insured Chartered Physiotherapists, we assess and treat all horses, from happy hackers to top competition horses.
Problems we treat:
Problems we treat:
- Back pain – may be caused by poor fitting tack, secondary to lameness, or poor postural control and/or schooling issues, resentment tacking up, difficulties grooming
- Poor performance – bucking, napping, rearing, reluctance to go forward, disunited, hollowing, poor flexibility/bend, reduced engagement of the hind limbs, difficulties with achieving consistent performance and contact into the bridle
- Orthopaedic issues – spavin and arthritic conditions of the joints, splints, post-surgical rehabilitation
- Soft tissue injuries – tendon, ligament strains, muscular strains/injuries, lacerations and wounds, surgical wounds and scar tissue
- Rehabilitation/improving athletic performance
How can physiotherapy help my horse?
Physiotherapy aims to find and treat areas of pain, weakness and/or restrictions that may be affecting your horse’s performance.
During the assessment we will take a full history of the animal, the issues, then complete a thorough examination. We will watch the horse move, and then feel for any areas of pain, asymmetry, tightness, weakness and restrictions.
We will then set goals together and make a plan on how to achieve them. The plan may (and often does!) change as the rehabilitation journey progresses.
We may use many different physio techniques to help any problems identified. Please see Treatment Techniques section below for more information on these.
During the assessment we will take a full history of the animal, the issues, then complete a thorough examination. We will watch the horse move, and then feel for any areas of pain, asymmetry, tightness, weakness and restrictions.
We will then set goals together and make a plan on how to achieve them. The plan may (and often does!) change as the rehabilitation journey progresses.
We may use many different physio techniques to help any problems identified. Please see Treatment Techniques section below for more information on these.
Do I need to do anything before the appointment?
It is always useful that you arrive in plenty of time to get your horse in and make sure they clean and dry! A wet and dirty horse is much more difficult to palpate (as well as messy!) and may skew the findings of the palpatory assessment.
A safe place to treat the horse, along with a haynet to keep them happy.
Sometimes is may also be useful to have the tack the horse uses available, in case this needs to seen on the horse. You may also need lunging equipment and a safe area to lunge.
A safe place to treat the horse, along with a haynet to keep them happy.
Sometimes is may also be useful to have the tack the horse uses available, in case this needs to seen on the horse. You may also need lunging equipment and a safe area to lunge.
How many visits will be required?
The number of sessions required will depend what is found.
Some horses will only need maintenance sessions. We usually recommend twice per year (pre and post competitive season).
However, if there is more pain/soreness, or they are in rehabilitation following surgery or injury, for example, the horse may benefit from more intensive input.
The frequency is always discussed as part of your ongoing plan.
Some horses will only need maintenance sessions. We usually recommend twice per year (pre and post competitive season).
However, if there is more pain/soreness, or they are in rehabilitation following surgery or injury, for example, the horse may benefit from more intensive input.
The frequency is always discussed as part of your ongoing plan.
Veterinary consent
In line with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, all animal therapists (physios, osteopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists etc) need to obtain consent prior to the treatment of an animal from your Vet, if the are under treatment from the vet. If they are not under active treatment, consent is not required for maintenance physiotherapy. However, should a lameness or condition which falls outside of the remit of physiotherapy, you horse will be referred back to your vet for investigation.
This is usual practice and we will liaise with your Vet to arrange this.
This is usual practice and we will liaise with your Vet to arrange this.
Can I ride my horse straight after treatment?
This will depend on the nature of the treatment given to the animal. It is normal that following treatment there may be some post-treatment soreness. This may need a few days of rest and/or light work before resuming full and normal ridden work. Please bear this in mind if you have a specific competition you would like to attend. I would always recommend at least 3 days between physiotherapy treatment and any competitions.
Will there be anything for me to do following the appointment?
You may be given a home exercise programme to complete, which may consist of a stretches, ground work, pole exercises, and ridden exercises. You may even be recommended for an assessment of your own asymmetries! (see Rider Physio).
We may also recommend the use of other conservative treatments such as cold/heat therapy, owner massage/massage pads, solariums etc for symptom management.
We may also recommend the use of other conservative treatments such as cold/heat therapy, owner massage/massage pads, solariums etc for symptom management.
What if a problem is identified?
Should the assessment process lead us to believe there is something undiagnosed going on with your horse we will always refer you back to your Vet. Physiotherapists are not permitted to diagnose pathology in veterinary work (in contrast to human practice) and this remains the responsibility of the Vet.
We are strong believers that merely treating the symptoms, when there is an underlying/unaddressed issue is not ethical for you, your horse, or us as Chartered Physiotherapists. We pride ourselves on being honest of our Scope of Practice and if we feel the issue is not a physiotherapy one we do not believe in repeatedly coming to treat the symptoms, if another professional would be more appropriate.
We regularly recommend addressing any underlying causes of pain/lameness, and then, once diagnosed/treated, provide physiotherapy input to rehabilitate and address any residual muscular soreness/movement asymmetries.
We happily work alongside Vets, Saddle Fitters, Farriers, Equine Dentist etc., to get the best possible outcome for you and your horse.
We are strong believers that merely treating the symptoms, when there is an underlying/unaddressed issue is not ethical for you, your horse, or us as Chartered Physiotherapists. We pride ourselves on being honest of our Scope of Practice and if we feel the issue is not a physiotherapy one we do not believe in repeatedly coming to treat the symptoms, if another professional would be more appropriate.
We regularly recommend addressing any underlying causes of pain/lameness, and then, once diagnosed/treated, provide physiotherapy input to rehabilitate and address any residual muscular soreness/movement asymmetries.
We happily work alongside Vets, Saddle Fitters, Farriers, Equine Dentist etc., to get the best possible outcome for you and your horse.
Equine Physiotherapy:
£50 + travel*
- Yard based
*Travel for Equine yard visits is £15 (may be split between owners). For yard visits with 3+ horses at the same location/same day, travel charge is waived.
Horse and Rider Joint Physiotherapy Session:
£95 (saving over £35)
- Yard based, includes rider biomechanics assessment/treatment and horse assessment/treatment
- Approx. 2 hours.
Electrotherapy Treatment ONLY (LASER, Ultrasound, PEMF, NMES):
£POA (following initial assessment) - Please contact to discuss this package
- Yard based (+Travel)
- Ideal for the management of tendon, ligament, soft tissue injuries/wounds/haematomas, which may require more frequent treatments for maximal effect.
Rider Physiotherapy:
£65
- Yard based, including ridden bio-mechanics assessment, physiotherapy assessment, treatment, personalised exercise programme and small equipment available to purchase to help you complete your exercise programme (resistance bands/balls).
- Approx. 1 hour
- Please have the horse ready to be ridden on arrival. Discounts available for group bookings.
NB: All physiotherapy treatments may include combinations of manual therapy (joint mobilisations, soft tissue techniques such as sports massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, soft tissue release, MET techniques), electrotherapy, Kinesio taping, Medical Acupuncture (human only) and exercise rehabilitation/home exercise programmes and the provision of resistance bands. There are no additional hidden charges, any treatment utilised during your session is included in the price.
£50 + travel*
- Yard based
*Travel for Equine yard visits is £15 (may be split between owners). For yard visits with 3+ horses at the same location/same day, travel charge is waived.
Horse and Rider Joint Physiotherapy Session:
£95 (saving over £35)
- Yard based, includes rider biomechanics assessment/treatment and horse assessment/treatment
- Approx. 2 hours.
Electrotherapy Treatment ONLY (LASER, Ultrasound, PEMF, NMES):
£POA (following initial assessment) - Please contact to discuss this package
- Yard based (+Travel)
- Ideal for the management of tendon, ligament, soft tissue injuries/wounds/haematomas, which may require more frequent treatments for maximal effect.
Rider Physiotherapy:
£65
- Yard based, including ridden bio-mechanics assessment, physiotherapy assessment, treatment, personalised exercise programme and small equipment available to purchase to help you complete your exercise programme (resistance bands/balls).
- Approx. 1 hour
- Please have the horse ready to be ridden on arrival. Discounts available for group bookings.
NB: All physiotherapy treatments may include combinations of manual therapy (joint mobilisations, soft tissue techniques such as sports massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, soft tissue release, MET techniques), electrotherapy, Kinesio taping, Medical Acupuncture (human only) and exercise rehabilitation/home exercise programmes and the provision of resistance bands. There are no additional hidden charges, any treatment utilised during your session is included in the price.
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The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 56,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and support workers
