Veterinary Physiotherapy is an increasingly popular field of veterinary science. It's use following injury can make a substantial difference to the quality of recovery made by an animal by:

• reducing pain

• releasing restricted tissue

• maintaining and improving range of motion

• bettering posture

• improving gait

• increasing muscle strength

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Such factors can be crucial in facilitating a return to full function following injury, or slowing deterioration in degenerative conditions. These effects are also incredibly beneficial to sporting athletes or working animals who are very active and place a lot of demand on their muscles.

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Some examples of behaviours that may indicate a need for physiotherapy in your animal are:

• a dislike to being tacked up, particularly when girthed

• flinching or moving away from pressure when being petted or groomed

• being cold-backed or not allowing you to mount

• reluctance to go for walks

• bucking or rearing when worked, particularly when asked to work in an outline 

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In order to tailor a treatment plan to your animal, a static, dynamic, range of motion and palpatory assessment will need to take place. With horses, this could include in-hand, ridden or lunge work so please ensure a competent handler is present at the time of appointment. Such assessment methods allow us to get an in depth understanding of how your animal moves, which areas are causing pain or restriction, and why this may be the case. Following this, treatment can take place through manual therapies and remedial exercise, with exercise prescriptions being left for you to perform with your animal to get the most out of their rehabilitation or conditioning programme. Click here to find out more about the different treatments.