We often hear of people getting a physio in to look at a horse, or a pony being referred for physio. But what is it? Why is it needed? What’s the law surrounding it? Read on for the answers!
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Physiotherapy involves assessing the ability of the body to move and perform physical activity. It includes looking at joint mobility, muscle size and strength, coordination, balance and the ability to perform certain tasks. The physiotherapist’s aims are to reduce pain and swelling and improve movement and function of the patient. They use a number of different techniques, including massage, hot and cold treatments, hydrotherapy, laser, myofascial release, joint mobilisations and acupuncture, and use exercises to increase range of motion, strengthen muscles and improve balance and coordination.
Which horses need physiotherapy?
Competition horses
These horses will be putting a lot of strain on their body due to the high intensity work that they are doing. Especially if they are at a high level of competition. Just like a human athlete, regular physiotherapy should be carried out to ensure that they are in peak physical fitness; it can help improve performance, prevent injury, and enhance mobility and suppleness, being important not only during peak training, but also during rest and recovery periods.
Routine check-ups
It’s not only the elite athletes that need physiotherapy. Carrying out a routine assessment is sometimes recommended for all horses, helping to detect small problems early. Ensuring that your horse is pain free and has a good range of movement is important to allow them to live a happy and healthy life, enabling them to do the work that is required of them. In most cases a routine physiotherapy assessment is recommended every 6-12 months. However, if your horse has a history of musculoskeletal problems, they may require more frequent check-ups.
Horses that are rehabilitating after musculoskeletal injuries
Following injury or surgery, physiotherapy is important to help to reduce inflammation, improve strength and increase range of motion, with the aim of restoring the animal back to full function. Soft tissue techniques may be used to loosen up scars, swollen joints and thickened tissues after injury. A strict exercise regime will usually be created to encourage the appropriate use of the affected area.
How do you know if your horse needs a physiotherapy assessment
As well as getting a routine check-up by the physiotherapist, your horse may need to see them on other occasions. Any changes to the way your horse is performing may need assessment by a physiotherapist as these could indicate signs of musculoskeletal pain. Signs include tension through the neck and back when putting the saddle on, reluctance to jump or canter on one rein, stiffness on one side or bucking. The signs may even be more subtle, such as facial changes, uneven shoe wear or changes in ear position when riding. At first, it may seem like the horse is being naughty but it is important to have your horse checked over as all of these signs could be associated with nack, back or pelvic pain. Ensuring that you watch your horse closely is important in order to pick up any problems quickly.
Should I get my horse checked by the vet or the physio?
All physiotherapists must have consent from a vet before they can treat your horse. The main reasons for this are; to ensure that there are no underlying health problems that may affect the physiotherapy treatment. And to rule out any conditions that require veterinary intervention, either medical or surgical.
So, in the first instance, you must speak to your vet about any concerns that you have with your horse. Your vet will ask you for information regarding what signs you have noticed, how long they have been going on for and if there has been any trauma, they will then examine the horse, looking for any swelling, pain or asymmetry and will then watch the horse in walk and trot. Once an assessment has been made, your vet can refer your horse to your physiotherapist as required. Often the physiotherapist will communicate with your vet regarding relevant clinical findings and a plan can be made together.
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