Following an injury or surgery physiotherapy can help to speed up the recovery process and minimise movement compensations enabling your horse to return to ridden exercise more comfortably. Working closely with your vet, physiotherapy rehabilitation can start as soon as your vet is happy for treatment to start, this can even be whilst your horse is on box rest to be proactive in his recovery.

Undertaking a body screen and assessment of a new horse can help you to be aware of any potential problems or muscle asymmetries that can be addressed before becoming a limiting problem. Young or old horses can all have pre-existing dysfunctions or muscle asymmetry from any previous injuries, conformation or ridden work. Physiotherapy treatment and relevant exercise programmes can help to maximise your horses potential and minimise future injury.

Body checkups are good to make sure your horse is in full working order to carry on with the work that they are being asked to do. Along with regular saddle checks, farriery and dentistry, physiotherapy can help keep your horse functioning as well as they can do and form part of your horses ‘MOT’.

Physiotherapy is useful pre- and post competition to improve mobility and flexibility and aid recovery. Many human athletes have regular physiotherapy to keep their body in check to help them to perform to the best of their ability.

Any horse at any time can start to experience difficulties in their work. This can range from the school horse, happy hacker or competing horse. If you notice your horse is starting to struggle with any aspect of his work, for example see below, then physiotherapy may be able to help:

• Reduced suppleness
• Temperament changes, bucking when going into canter, or reluctance to work
• Difficulty on one rein
• Struggling with transitions

Veterinary consent is obtained before any animal undertakes veterinary physiotherapy. Referrals may be direct from your veterinary surgeon or by direct contact from yourself.

Through effective communication with your veterinary surgeon and physiotherapist, your animal’s condition will be managed holistically to promote effective management. Your veterinary surgeon will be kept informed of your animal’s progress.

All sessions are catered for the individual characteristics of your pet. From the first session trust is obtained by good handling and appreciation of your animal’s condition. If you are concerned that your animal may not tolerate physiotherapy due to behavioural problems then please discuss this with Sarah as often, given the correct environmental situation many pets learn to enjoy their physiotherapy treatment.

Any questions you may have as an owner will be answered and you will gain an insight into your animal’s condition and how it can be managed.

Many insurance companies appreciate the role of physiotherapy within your pet's care. Depending on your policy your insurance provider may cover the cost. Please see individual policies as appropriate. Reports are provided for insurance claims as required.