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A spike in equine influenza (EI) cases has been reported across the UK in early April, with six outbreaks recorded in just 10 days - compared to only two cases in the previous three months. Most cases are linked to recent horse movements, including imports from Europe. Notably, some affected horses were vaccinated, reinforcing that while vaccination reduces severity, it doesn’t fully prevent infection. Horse owners should stay alert for signs such as coughing, fever, and nasa

Leading the way in veterinary physiotherapy excellence

Many clients find us through personal recommendation, and we truly value that trust. If you refer a new client who goes on to complete their first session, you will receive a £20 courtesy credit to your account and your referral will receive an introductory welcome rate on their first physiotherapy assessment. A simple thank you for helping us to continue to grow through word of mouth. How referral credits work Existing clients receive a £20 account credit for each eligible

Expanding treatment options for equine patients We are pleased to announce the addition of H-Wave electrotherapy to our clinical toolkit, further enhancing the range of evidence-informed modalities available to support equine performance, rehabilitation, and long-term musculoskeletal health. What is H-Wave therapy? H-Wave therapy is a specialised form of electrotherapy designed to stimulate muscle and soft tissue using distinct low- and high-frequency waveforms. Unlike conven

The NAVP Conference 2025 was a roaring success. An event of this scale has not been seen since Covid so all of the Executive Committee were delighted with the turnout and high calibre speakers. The committee would like to thank every delegate who attended and shared in the community spirit of the day. Gratitude also to all of the guests speaker who provided such interesting expertise across an array of topics The event would not have been possible without the support of the b

We are pleased to announce the introduction of veterinary acupuncture as a new service within our equine practice, further broadening the range of evidence-informed treatment options available to support performance, rehabilitation, and long-term musculoskeletal health. A veterinary-led, science-based approach Acupuncture is a veterinary-only treatment within our service, delivered exclusively by a qualified veterinary surgeon. Our approach is grounded in Western veterinary a

There is encouraging news emerging from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, where researchers have identified what is believed to be the likely cause of Equine Grass Sickness (EGS) - a major development in our understanding of this devastating condition. A probable cause identified The research points to a neurotoxin as the probable causative agent in EGS. Specifically, investigators have identified an enzyme - phospholipase A2 - which is thought to be produced by

Elements of a Veterinary Physiotherapy Consultation***** Multidisciplinary collaboration (post 10/10) Effective equine rehabilitation, or indeed maintenance of performance, relies on coordinated input from veterinary surgeons, physiotherapists, farriers, saddle fitters, trainers and nutritionists.   Each discipline contributes a distinct layer: Veterinary surgeons provide diagnosis, medical or surgical management and oversight Veterinary physiotherapists deliver functional re

Elements of a Veterinary Physiotherapy Consultation *****Rehabilitation planning (post 9/10)   Rehabilitation planning is the central framework that determines outcome in Veterinary Physiotherapy. Modalities are secondary to structured progression of loading, adaptation and functional recovery.   A robust plan begins with clear problem definition, distinguishing primary pathology from secondary compensatory dysfunction. From this, specific goals and timelines can be establish

Understanding the reality of equine MSK care The growth in equine musculoskeletal (MSK) therapies has created a complex clinical landscape. Owners now have access to physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, massage therapists and other paraprofessionals alongside veterinary services. However, this expansion has also increased confusion around who can do what, and when. Clear understanding of scope of practice is essential for: Clinical safety Legal compliance Appropriate

Elements of a Veterinary Physiotherapy Consultation *****Pulsed electromagnetic therapy (post 8/10) Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMT) delivers time-varying electromagnetic fields to tissues without direct contact, influencing cellular signalling and ion exchange.   Proposed mechanisms include modulation of calcium binding, enhancement of microcirculation and upregulation of osteogenic and soft tissue repair pathways.   In Veterinary Physiotherapy PEMT is most common

Elements of a Veterinary Physiotherapy Consultation***** Photobiomodulation – low level laser therapy (post 7/10) Photobiomodulation (LLLT) uses specific wavelengths of light to influence cellular activity without generating thermal tissue damage.   Primary mechanisms include increased mitochondrial ATP production, modulation of inflammatory mediators and promotion of collagen synthesis during tissue repair. Effects are dose dependent and highly sensitive to parameters such a

Elements of a Veterinary Physiotherapy Consultation *****Electrotherapies (post 6/10)   Electrotherapies form a structured adjunct within equine veterinary physiotherapy, applied to support pain modulation, tissue repair, neuromuscular activation and oedema management.   Common modalities include TENS, NMES, pulsed electromagnetic therapy (PEMT), photobiomodulation/low level laser therapy (LLLT), therapeutic ultrasound (US) and H-wave therapy. Each operates via distinct physi

Manual therapies are the mainstay of our in-session treatment techniques. They are tailored according to the unique requirements of each horse. They will typically include a combination of: Targeted massage techniques Myofascial release techniques Passive range of motion exercises Joint mobilisations Targeted stretching Dynamic mobilisation exercises Manual trigger point therapy Cryotherapy - heat and cold Typically a patient will benefit from repeated application of these te

I am delighted to share that I have taken up the position of President of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP). This appointment represents a significant professional milestone and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the continued development of veterinary physiotherapy within the wider veterinary landscape. My central objective in this role is to strengthen collaborative working between veterinary physiotherapists and veterinary surgeons, w

Our hands are our most useful tool! Our hands connect us to our patients, to both assess and treat. The skill of palpation builds up over time and hundreds of patients – learning what is within normal limits for the age, type and training status of each animal, detecting changes in tissue structure and understanding how these changes relate to pathology and function. Manual assessment of the horse includes palpation of all tissue types (tendon, ligament, muscle, bone, fascia

The dynamic assessment is a very important part of the physiotherapy service we provide. The way a horse moves and uses his/her body tells us so much about their natural movement patterns and any gait adaptations they have adopted in response to imbalance, weakness or pain. As an equine vet, Lorna is well placed to identify and understand underlying clinical pathology that is driving musculoskeletal dysfunction and altered biomechanical patterns. All initial consultations wil

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We perform a full clinical exam for all new cases, including static and dynamic musculoskeletal assessment and clinical palpation. Static assessment involves looking both at the horse’s conformation and posture. The conformation is the animal’s fixed anatomy and cannot be changed. The posture is influenced by many things, primarily the horse’s musculoskeletal development – strength, conditioning and training, but also the horse’s temperament, current attitude and pain status.

#StranglesAwarenessWeek is this week, 1st - 7th May. Get involved. Free webinar on Wednesday 3rd May. Attendees at the'Taking the Heat...