Equine Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy offers significant benefits for every horse, whether they are a competitive athlete, a young prospect, or a retired pasture companion.
Because no horse has perfect conformation, they naturally develop day-to-day aches and pains from routine activities, much like humans do. Furthermore, ridden horses are highly susceptible to back discomfort over time, making proactive management essential for their ongoing comfort and performance.
Even unridden horses can benefit from regular care. Retirees and field companions frequently sustain minor muscular strains from playing, bucking, or slipping in the paddock. If left untreated, these small issues can escalate into chronic pain or compensatory injuries. Regular physiotherapy helps address these minor tweaks early, ensuring your horse remains comfortable, mobile, and healthy at every stage of life.
Common Signs Your Horse May Need Physiotherapy
If your horse is experiencing hidden discomfort or underlying musculoskeletal issues, they may display a variety of physical, behavioral, or performance-related changes, including:
-
Performance struggles: Difficulty managing their current exercise workload, struggling to maintain pace, or showing poor quality in transitions (such as picking up the incorrect lead or a disunited canter).
-
Evasion under saddle: New or worsening ridden behaviors, such as bucking, rearing, or napping.
-
Tacking resistance: Moving away from the saddle, hollowing their back, or attempting to bite when the girth is tightened.
-
Handling sensitivity: Uncharacteristic aggression or resistance when being groomed, led in hand, asked to back up, or when having their feet picked up.
-
Physical indicators: Uneven hoof or shoe wear, which frequently indicates compensatory movement or an unbalanced gait.
-
Lameness: Please note that we cannot treat any horse presenting with undiagnosed lameness.
Important Note: Many of these symptoms—particularly sudden behavioral changes or evasions—can also indicate underlying medical issues, such as gastric ulcers or poor saddle fit. Veterinary intervention and a proper diagnosis may be required prior to beginning a physiotherapy program.
Equine Physiotherapy Sessions can take anywhere from 1 to 1.5 hours.
Follow-up MOT sessions are recommended every 4 - 6 months for the best results.
Follow-Up Rehab Sessions will vary depending on the needs of your horse.