Services

Equine veterinary physiotherapy is a physical therapy that aims to restore, maintain or maximise movement and physical function. 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.

Our equine veterinary physiotherapist Lorna combines her many years of experience as an equine veterinary surgeon together with up-to-date and current training as an equine physiotherapist to give clients a truly complete approach to musculoskeletal assessment and treatment.

Equine veterinary physiotherapy

We offer bespoke physiotherapy services tailored for your horse's unique rehabilitation, maintenance and performance needs.

portrait of beautiful stunning chestnut budyonny gelding horse looking from behind in spri

Rehabilitation

Restore physical function following lameness or injury, manage pain and promote movement, with bespoke physiotherapy

Maintenance

Maintain musculoskeletal comfort by identifying minor niggles and areas of tension before they become an issue

Performance

Maximise physical function and movement with development of strength, stability and suppleness for sports and performance horses

Lorna is able to see registered Rossdales clients for physiotherapy assessment during her working days at Rossdales - currently Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please contact the Rossdales office here to book an appointment. Treatments for registered Rossdales clients strictly involving electrotherapies can be booked through Equilibre here.

Lorna occasionally has space for a limited number of non-Rossdales clients for physiotherapy assessment, treatment, maintenance and rehabilitation. Appointments can be requested directly through Equilibre or following referral by your own veterinary surgeon. 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.

Lorna is fully insured and is both on the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) and a member of the National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP).

Assessment and treatment

Every horse presents a unique set of issues and every owner/rider has a unique set of goals. This means that all treatment plans are bespoke to the individual. A mixture of manual techniques and, if indicated, electrotherapies will be used, and exercises will be prescribed for the owner/trainer to continue beyond the physiotherapy session.

Assessment

A detailed history followed by a full and thorough clinical assessment is essential to understand the often complex issues involved.

Lorna performs a full clinical exam for all new cases, including musculoskeletal palpation, passive range of motion, muscle symmetry, conformation and static posture assessment. Dynamic assessment includes lameness and gait adaptation evaluations and may be performed in hand, on the lunge/long lines or ridden.

As an equine vet, Lorna is uniquely placed to identify and understand underlying clinical pathology that is driving musculoskeletal dysfunction. She works closely with each owner to understand their specific concerns and future goals to provide a tailored and bespoke physiotherapeutic plan.

Manual therapies

Manual therapies 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 techniques and, where appropriate, the owner, trainer or groom will be clearly taught how to perform relevant techniques safely to enhance their horse’s progression.

Electrotherapies

Electrotherapies have grown in popularity over recent years but it is our belief that they are sometimes used to fulfil client expectation and satisfy popular trends rather than because of their therapeutic effectiveness. At Equilibre we believe electrotherapies should only be used where clinically indicated and where there is robust clinical evidence for their efficacy.

The modalities we find most useful in select patients are:

Laser – particularly useful for neutralisation of myofascial trigger points and for promoting optimum tissue healing, including wounds
PEMT – particularly useful for sacroiliac pathologies, pain management and optimising fracture healing
NMES – particularly useful for neurological atrophy
TENS – particularly useful for short term pain management

Rehabilitation plans

“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going”.

Physiotherapy is a process and progression to restoration of full movement potential requires work. Promoting balance and freedom of movement is integral to this process. The work begins during the treatment session and continues at home with the rider or trainer.

Each progression plan is unique for each patient, taking into account individual pathologies and goals. Targeted exercises are prescribed to be incorporated into daily routines and clearly explained to the owner or trainer. They include:

Stretching
Dynamic mobilisation exercises
Progressive exercise
Polework
School figurework
Strategic use of training aids

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