Question 1

What does Equilibre mean?

Accepted Answer

Equilibre is the French word for balance and originates from the Latin prefix equi-, meaning equal or equally and the Latin word libre meaning free or unrestricted.

All of these words underpin the principles of the work that we do and drive our physiotherapeutic aims and techniques. At Equilibre we believe that correct movement can only be achieved through freedom from pain and balance within the musculoskeletal system.

Promoting movement through freedom and balance

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Question 2

What is equine physiotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Equine veterinary physiotherapy is a physical therapy that aims to restore, maintain or maximise movement and physical function. It involves a thorough assessment of your horse: at rest, moving dynamically and clinically through palpation and physical assessment. Appropriate therapeutics are performed according to each horse’s unique requirements. These may include manual therapies including joint mobilisations, dynamic mobilisations, stretches, passive range of motion exercises, targeted massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy and cryotherapy. Electrotherapies are sometimes used if clinically indicated including LLLT (low level laser therapy), PEMT (pulsed electromagnetic therapy), NMES (neuromuscular electrostimulation) and TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation). Read more about our services here.(https://www.equilibrevet.co.uk/services)

Question 3

What are the benefits of equine physiotherapy?

Accepted Answer

Equine veterinary physiotherapy is used in rehabilitation, maintenance and performance cases to restore, maintain and maximise physical function and movement. At Equilibre we believe that correct movement can only be achieved through freedom from pain and balance within the musculoskeletal system. Effective physiotherapy can help restore musculoskeletal weaknesses and compensations to promote strength, stability and suppleness. Horses will be more comfortable and relaxed – at rest and at work, show improved performance and function, and be more robust to withstand the rigours of exercise and therefore less likely to succumb to injuries.

Question 4

What is the difference between physiotherapy, chiropractic and osteopathy?

Accepted Answer

Physiotherapy considers the whole horse  including the entire musculoskeletal system, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints. It aims to restore or maximise movement and function through specific physical therapy and prescription of a series of exercises for rehabilitation or enhancement of function and performance.

Animal chiropractors use chiropractic techniques that have been adapted from human medicine to treat primarily spinal problems as well as other joints. Adjustments are made to spinal areas with decreased range of motion (vertebral subluxation complexes) to induce a therapeutic response.

Animal osteopathy similarly uses manual techniques adapted from human osteopathy to manipulate and strengthen the musculoskeletal framework, improving mobility and therefore function. The techniques primarily focus on the joints, muscles and spine.

Read more here.(https://www.equilibrevet.co.uk/which-therapist)

Question 5

What are your qualifications?

Accepted Answer

Our equine veterinary physiotherapist Dr Lorna Brokenshire-Dyke BA MA PGDip LCGI MRAMP MNAVP VetMB MRCVS is both a fully qualified, registered and practising Equine Veterinary Surgeon and a fully qualified, registered and practising Equine Veterinary Physiotherapist. She has degrees in Equine Studies and Veterinary Medicine, and a postgraduate certificate in Veterinary Physiotherapy. She is currently (2023) writing up her thesis for a Masters degree in Veterinary Physiotherapy. She is both a member of RAMP (Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Therapist) and NAVP (National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists). Read more here.(https://www.equilibrevet.co.uk/about)

Question 6

My horse is lame, is physiotherapy appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely, physiotherapy is excellent for rehabilitation cases through musculoskeletal restoration. However under The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 only qualified and registered veterinary surgeons can diagnose and treat animals, and give advice based on this, as these are all considered acts of veterinary surgery. This means that, when an animal has pathology (lameness and/or musculoskeletal pain) physiotherapists can only work as part of a vet-led team under the direction of a veterinary surgeon, ie. permission must be given to treat. This is NOT required for provision of maintenance or performance services in healthy animals.

At Equilibre, Lorna, our equine veterinary physiotherapist, is also a qualified, registered and practising veterinary surgeon. This makes navigating the legislation considerably easier and gives clients a truly complete approach to musculoskeletal assessment and treatment. As a qualified veterinary surgeon Lorna is legally permitted to make a veterinary assessment and diagnosis. However, for horses receiving active treatment related to a clinical condition, rather than maintenance therapy, Lorna will - with your permission - liaise directly with your own veterinary surgeon to ensure appropriate continuity of clinical care. Read more here.(https://www.equilibrevet.co.uk/about)

Question 7

My horse is sound, can physiotherapy still be beneficial?

Accepted Answer

Yes absolutely, physiotherapy is excellent for maintenance cases. It allows thorough assessment of any early, sub-clinical musculoskeletal niggles, which can then receive appropriate therapy BEFORE they become a significant issue. Specifically it can promote full range of motion through all joints, ensure any areas of muscular tension are addressed before they become a problem and provide a format for appropriate ongoing maintenance exercises.

Question 8

Can physiotherapy enhance performance?

Accepted Answer

Yes absolutely, physiotherapy is excellent for performance cases to maximise physical function. Modern sports horses are athletes where fully physical function and mobility are vital for every discipline, from dressage horses, to show ponies, to three-day event horses. Physiotherapy can help maximise musculoskeletal performance through correct development of the strength, stability and suppleness required for our elite athletes.

Question 9

How do I choose a musculoskeletal therapist?

Accepted Answer

There are no statutory regulations for MSK therapists. Anybody can call themselves an equine physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath, without any training, experience or even insurance. Whilst in the human medical field the terms physiotherapist, chiropractor and osteopath are reserved exclusively for those with specific and appropriately recognised qualifications, in the animal world, so long as the prefix equine- or animal- is used, these professional terms aren’t protected. Whilst there are many excellent therapists out there, there are some who are poorly qualified and inexperienced. They may not even recognise their own knowledge gaps and inexperience. Read more here to be sure you find the right therapist for you.(https://www.equilibrevet.co.uk/which-therapist)

Question 10

Is veterinary consent required?

Accepted Answer

The Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 ensures that animals are treated by only those who are qualified to do so. This means that the diagnosis and treatment of animals, including the giving of advice based on this, and performance of surgical operations, are ALL are considered acts of veterinary surgery, to be performed ONLY by veterinary surgeons.

The Veterinary Surgeons Exemption Order 2015 allows MSK therapists to work as part of a vet-led team. This requires delegation by a veterinary surgeon who has already examined the animal and prescribed the treatment to include MSK therapy. Only if the MSK therapy is for maintenance of a healthy animal, rather than treatment, can an MSK therapist practise without prior referral from a veterinary surgeon.

At Equilibre, Lorna, our equine veterinary physiotherapist, is also a qualified, registered and practising veterinary surgeon. This makes navigating the legislation considerably easier and gives clients a truly complete approach to musculoskeletal assessment and treatment. As a qualified veterinary surgeon, Lorna is legally permitted to make a veterinary assessment and diagnosis. However, for horses receiving active treatment related to a clinical condition, rather than maintenance therapy, Lorna will - with your permission - liaise directly with your own veterinary surgeon to ensure appropriate continuity of clinical care.