Physiotherapy for Horses

Physiotherapy for your horse can be viewed as routine maintenance or a therapy for a specific condition or issue that your horse is experiencing.

 

Conditions Treated

  • Back, neck and pelvic pain – including saddle related back pain
  • Tendon injury
  • Muscle strains/tears
  • Joint problems – including arthritis/degenerative joint disease, pain/swelling/stiffness in joints
  • Performance Problems
  • Maintenance of high performance (all equine disciplines)
  • Compensatory problems due to underlying lameness
  • Nerve injuries
  • Rehabilitation after surgery
  • Rider related problems

TREATMENTS INCLUDE:

  • Mobilisation of Soft Tissues and Joints
  • Myofascial Release, Reflex Inhibition and Trigger Point Therapy
  • Massage and Lymphatic Drainage
  • Stretches and “Reflex Movements”
  • Therapeutic Sports Taping
  • Advice on Therapeutic Exercises to Assist in Rehabilitation
  • Electrotherapy modalities such as: Laser, Ultrasound, H-Wave
    Muscle Stimulation, and Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation (TNS)

The Competition Horse

The performance horse is an elite athlete. Physiotherapy can be used to increase flexibility and mobility pre-competition to improve performance; post competition physiotherapy can enhance tissue recovery. The physiotherapist can also pre-screen for potential problems to prevent injury and decline of performance.

The Injured Horse

Following accidents, falls or during training and competition, horses can develop fractures, wounds, and soft tissue injuries. Following initial veterinary diagnosis, physiotherapy can help with rehabilitation: re-educating muscles to prevent atrophy, reducing pain, enhancing healing and minimising scar tissue, and improving function to restore the horse’s movement and performance.

Injury Prevention

Movement abnormalities can be indicative of orthopaedic conditions, muscle imbalances or other musculoskeletal problems. Physiotherapists are specialised in the assessment of movement and can help to detect such problems while liaising closely with veterinarians who will diagnose if there is any underlying condition.

The Older Horse

Physiotherapy can help to relieve the aches, pain and stiffness associated with the ageing process. This can help to prolong a horse’s years of activity, or simply improve the animals quality of life.

Veterinary Referral & Reports

By law physiotherapists must obtain veterinary consent prior to assessing and treating an animal. Tracy is happy to contact your veterinarian to obtain consent and details of any relevant medical history.

A report summarising the main physiotherapy findings and recommendations is completed after the initial assessment. A copy of which is sent to the referring veterinarian and client.

Only by working as part of the multi-disciplinary team can physiotherapeutic intervention prove successful.