Equine Physiotherapy
What is Veterinary Physiotherapy?
Veterinary physiotherapy is a specialised field of veterinary medicine that uses physical therapy techniques to help animals recover from injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions, and to improve their overall well-being. It involves a variety of methods, including manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and electrotherapies to enhance mobility, reduce pain, and promote healing
Why Physio?
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Performance & Prevention Tool - Physio helps maintain suppleness, balance, and performance in competition horses — and prevents injuries through early detection of asymmetries or stiffness.
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Supports Injury Recovery - Whether it’s a tendon strain, kissing spines, or post-surgical rehab, physio plays a vital role in restoring movement and strength safely.
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Recognising Subtle Signs is Key - A horse may show discomfort through behaviour changes, uneven movement, reluctance to work, or altered posture — signs a physiotherapist can assess and treat.
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Hands-On, Whole-Horse Approach - Equine physiotherapists use manual therapy, stretching, in-hand exercises, and sometimes electrotherapy — and may work closely with saddle fitters and farriers too.
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Regular Check-Ups Add Value - Just like routine dental care or farriery, physio can be part of regular maintenance, especially in working or aging horses.
Benefits of Physiotherapy:
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Reduced pain: Physiotherapy helps relieve pain and discomfort, improving the animal's quality of life
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Improved mobility: It enhances movement, range of motion, and coordination
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Faster recovery: It accelerates the healing process and helps animals regain function after surgery or injury.
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Better performance: Physiotherapy can optimise performance in working or competitive animals.
What will your Session Look Like?
1. Initial Intake & Discussion - We begin by discussing your horse’s history, current workload, behaviour changes, and your rehabilitation goals
2. Assessment
• Static Assessment - Observe standing to evaluate conformation, posture, muscle balance, and any asymmetries
• Dynamic Assessment (Gait Analysis) - Leading or lunging (walk, trot, sometimes canter) on different surfaces to examine movement, gait symmetry, joint range, and signs of pain or lameness.
• Palpation & Range of Motion (ROM) - Hands-on palpation checks for heat, swelling, muscle spasms, fascial restrictions. Joints may be gently moved to assess ROM and identify discomfort
3. Tailored Treatment
Treatment is chosen based on findings and may include a mix of manual, passive, and electrotherapy techniques:
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Manual Therapies - Massage, myofascial/trigger-point release, joint mobilisation/manipulation, and passive stretching to reduce stiffness, improve circulation, and address tissue restrictions
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Electrotherapies & Modalities - Techniques such as cryotherapy/heat packs and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) may be used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and support healing .
4. Exercise Prescription & Homework - A bespoke rehabilitation plan is provided, including stretches, groundwork, ridden exercises, pole work, and strength or proprioceptive drills. These strategies ensure continuity and enhance recovery between sessions.
5. Reassessment & Follow-up Plan - The therapist re-evaluates specific markers (e.g., gait, palpation, ROM) during the session to gauge immediate response. A follow-up schedule is agreed based on progress, ranging from weekly in rehab cases to monthly for maintenance .
6. Reporting & Team Communication - After the session, a report is provided to you, your vet, farrier, saddle fitter, or other professionals to align on care plans. Advice may also be given on stable setup, turnout, tack fit, or other management changes.
7. Rest & Recovery Guidance - Usually, horses are advised a short rest period post-treatment (typically 24 hours), with gradual reintroduction of exercises to allow tissues to adapt .
Initial Consultation:
Approximately 1.5-2 hours
Follow-up Sessions:
Approximately 60-75 minutes