Equine Treatments

A full range of treatments are available for horses. Here is an example of some of the conditions that physiotherapy can be applied.

Wounds:

• Assist in prevention of suture breakdown.
• Optimise rate of healing, especially large wounds.
• Limit bacterial growth in wound.
• Reduce ‘proud flesh’ formation, white hairs and scar formation.
• Abrasions, over-reach, mud fever, girth galls, persistent cracked mouth.

Backs:

• Acute or chronic sore backs.
• Spondylosis.
• Spinal stiffness.
• Pain and muscle spasm.
• Trauma – ligament, muscular, fractures.
• Sacro-iliac problems.

Limbs:

• Tendons; bowed, inflamed, strained, sore shins.
• Ligament injury.
• Fractures; slow or non-union especially.
• Arthritic conditions, DJD, bonespavins.
• Post orthopaedic surgery.
• Swelling; capped hocks, thoroughpins, bog spavin.

Feet:

• Conditions or injury where hoof growth/condition is poor.
• Navicular syndrome, pedal bone osteitis.
• Fractures.
• Bruised sole.

Elite or Competition Horses

Horses who are working at a high level be it dressage, eventing, endurance, showing, driving, racing etc, are obviously putting their bodies under increased strain. Over time this strain can readily create areas of discomfort leading to altered ways of going, changes in behaviour or develop into chronic or sometimes even acute injuries.

Physiotherapy can be very beneficial both pre & post competition and at regular intervals (depending on work load) to maintain musculo-skeletal health, i.e. suppleness, comfort, pick up on any developing problems, and for further protection of your animal. We can assist you in developing exercise programmes, tailored to your individual animals needs. To determine whether physiotherapy would be of benefit, either contact us or your veterinarian for advice.

A Horse 'MOT'

If you suspect back soreness, or you horse’s performance or behaviour has changed, then we recommend that they have a ‘MOT’ check. This will assess the state of their back, & general musculoskeletal system and includes a saddle fit assessment and advise, to ensure that this is not contributing to the problem. Any problems found will be treated there and then.