Pain can be really hard to distinguish. Especially when it is mild, and when it is in an animal that uses totally different “language” to us! Additionally, different types of pain, such as visceral (internal organ) and musculoskeletal (muscles, bones and joints), and whether it is acute or chronic, can have different signs. However it […]
How can you tell your animal is in pain? Read More »
There is often 2 types of horses in this modern world, leisure horses and competition horses. Both types can get injured just being a typical horse and spooking at that scary tree! But as we have developed the sporting world, we have developed the horses within them, and this in turn has improved performance, but
Horses – Breeding for Sport or Breeding to Break? Read More »
Lameness is a gait abnormality, a type of asymmetrical movement caused by structural or functional issues of the locomotor system. It is usually a symptom, and a manifestation of pain. 1) Check for heat and a pulse or any sign of obvious injury to a limb Forelimb lameness 2) A forelimb lameness can be identified
10 Tips for Spotting a Lame Horse Read More »
So previously I have spoken about the use of Physiotherapy, and a therapy “journey”…. and I just wanted to create a little update based on comments of other therapists and their experiences. Many go in to this job because they love animals, and really want to make a difference. And it can be disheartening when
The Physiotherapy Journey…. Read More »
As I have mentioned many times before, pole work is great for improving proprioception (neural ability to know where your limbs are in relation to the world) and coordination, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness, core stability, joint range of motion and health, and dynamic stretching of muscles.You can increase proprioceptive challenging by arranging sporadic poles
Pole Work for Horses Read More »
Let’s talk obesity! It is a huge issue in horse and dog welfare in the UK. Being overweight puts huge strain on the body systems, particularly the joints and can predispose to conditions such as osteoarthritis. Body condition scoring can be a great way to monitor your animal’s weight. Weigh tapes are not accurate as
Let’s Talk Animal Obesity Read More »
Core stability is an important concept to ensure appropriate biomechanical function. Core stability assists with the dorsal ventral chain, and by achieving core stability, contraction of the long back musculature is reduced (de Oliveria et al. 2015), which assists with back function by allowing greater ventral flexion rather than extension (figure 1). Core engagement involves
Core Stability in Horses Read More »
So the walk is a 4 beat gait with no suspension phase. That means your horse and dog have to use concentric (shortening) and eccentric (lengthening) muscle contractions for every stride to produce movement, and isometric (contractions without a change in muscle length such as core muscles). Whereas in trot and canter where there is
Lets talk about walking Read More »
Desmopathy means ligament disease, such as desmitis (ligament inflammation), but can occur without inflammation and be fascial restriction or nerve compression. The suspensory ligament (figure 1), is present in the fore and hindlimbs, with prognosis of hindlimb injury being much more guarded than forelimb, and with hindlimb often being bilateral in presentation and linked to
Suspensory Ligament Desmopathy in horses Read More »
So although we could comment on a LOT of things with my position (such as my horribly contracted hip flexors!)…we are going to focus on the horse This horse is slightly older in age, and suffers from bilateral hock osteoarthritis, and has always had a slightly stubborn and “lazy” temperament (unless jumping!) These 2 images
