Horses have a variety of roles in our lives- from elite athletes to beloved paddock pets. No matter their role they can suffer pain and dysfunction just like humans can and should be given the chance to reach the optimal level of function, performance and quality of life. Equine Physiotherapy helps to achieve and maintain such.

Equine Physiotherapists apply the same well–researched methods from human physiotherapy to the horse to help in reducing pain, increasing joint and limb range of motions and movements, improving function and preventing long term damage or side-effects.

Just like Human Physio, Equine physio involves a hands on approach including soft tissue techniques, mobilisations, spinal reflex activations, mobilisations, stretching, electrotherapy and other modalities such as laser and ultrasound with strengthening and stretching exercise prescriptions tailored to each individual horse.

Conditions regularly assisted in the horse include:

  • Neck/back/SIJ/limb pain
  • Joint pain and swelling
  • Joint stiffness
  • Reactivity to tack being applied or taken off
  • Movement dysfunction or altered movement
  • Muscle weakness
  • Tendon and muscle injuries
  • Congenital problems
  • Arthritis & associated aches and pains
  • Muscle and movement compensations from poorly fitting tack or rider asymmetry
  • Exercise and Performance issues
  • Nerve injuries
  • Rehabilitation after injury or surgery
  • Performance and wellbeing maximisation and long term injury/illness prevention- early detection of asymmetries in the horse’s body or movement can be very beneficial for avoiding injury or degenerative changes down the track.

Just like human Physio, no referral is required to book your horse in with an Equine Physio. However, if you have seen a vet with your horse prior a referral is always preferred.

 

The number of different practitioners available to help our equine friends is endless. But who should you turn to first and how can you check their credentials?

A Qualification check!
Although many equine massage people and bodyworkers can be mistakenly termed physios,  the only route to becoming an accredited physiotherapist is through a 4-5 year university course in human physiotherapy, followed by minimum 1-2 years of human practice experience and another 2 year postgraduate/masters university course to be a veterinary or animal physio. This is a minimum of 6 years of university education making it an easy thing to place trust in the education of your equine physio.

 

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