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WHAT IS VETERINARY PHYSIOTHERAPY?

"Physical therapy, known as Physiotherapy, provided by trained therapists promote, maintain or restore health through physical examination, intervention, rehabilitation, education, prevention and health promotion.

We work alongside vets, riders, coaches, farriers and other paraprofessionals to help reduce pain, improve mobility and prevent recurrence of injury, as well as help maintain peak health and performance of animals."

Physiotherapy treatment has countless benefits for all equines, from leisure to competition. Just some of these benefits include;

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  • reduced pain & inflammation

  • improved range of motion

  • increased proprioception

  • improved core stability

  • reduced healing time of soft tissue structures

  • increased muscle mass

  • increased flexibility.

As well as helping in competition maintenance, physiotherapy can support veterinary treatment of conditions such as:

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  • tendon/ligament injuries

  • osteoarthritis

  • muscle tears/strains

  • fractures/splints

  • neurological conditions

  • overriding dorsal spinous processes (kissing spines)

  • sacroiliac (SI) dysfunction.​

What to expect from an initial assessment?

  • A thorough discussion of your horses history & current concerns

  • Static assessment of conformation, muscle condition & symmetry

  • Dynamic assessment of gaits analysed with AI through Sleip 

  • Palpation of muscles & soft tissues

  • Testing the range of motion of joints

  • Analysing core stability, strength & flexibility

  • Specific orthopaedic/neurological tests if necessary

  • Lunging and/or ridden assessment when required.

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I also recommend all ridden horses to undergo the Ridden Horse Performance/Pain Assessment at least every three months. I can assist with this to determine your horses score if required and use this as a monitor of your horses behaviour.

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My findings from this assessment form the foundations of every treatment plan, meaning each treatment is completely unique and tailor-made to ensure the very best for your horse.

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Objective Gait Analysis with Sleip 

Sleip, gait analysis software, is designed to monitor the performance and welfare of horses. It uses motion analysis technology to assess the gait of horses, aiding therapists and veterinarians to identify asymmetrical movement patterns.

  • Highlight subtle asymmetries that can be missed by the naked eye, providing detailed reports and insights.

  • Data can be shared amongst your professional team and will assist in making informed decisions about training, conditioning exercises, rehabilitation progress, and overall management

  • Monitoring tool to know what's normal for your horse and detect changes early

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​Easy to get data by just videoing your horse trot up in a straight line. Sleip can also analyse horses on a circle lunging. Full rep

Electrotherapies

Scientifically backed electrotherapies may be suggested to complement and enhance the manual techniques or be used to deliver the most efficient and optimal results.

Why use electrotherapies?

  • Treat at deeper levels than manual therapy alone

  • Warm up tissues & joints prior to mobilisations

  • Pain relief to sensitive horses prior to treatment 

  • Stimulate cell metabolism & regeneration of damaged tissues for enhanced healing

  • Increase circulation & blood flow, therefore bringing oxygen and nutrients for healing/recovery to the area

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Modalities provided by us

  • INDIBA Radiofrequency Therapy

  • *LASER (3b & 4) Therapy

  • *NeuroMuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES)

  • *FMBs Pulsed Magnetic Field Therapy (PMFT) rug

  • K-Taping 

  • *Equine Training Bands resistance band system

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*PAP clients are able to hire these items as part of a rehab program or for competitions.

FAQs

Still have questions?

Check out our FAQs or get in contact.

  • Equine Physiotherapy Assessment & Treatment ~ From £70
    What to expect; A discussion of your horses history, strengths & weaknesses, and current aims/expectations Digital gait analysis with Sleip measuring your horses asymmetries in trot on a straight line and on a circle (lunge) if appropriate A ridden horse assessment if necessary and pre-arranged A hands-on palpation and range of motion assessment A bespoke treatment plan will be created and performed based on findings including a range of manual therapy techniques and electrotherapy where appropriate A rehabilitation or management program will be discussed based on your short and long term goals. If recommended, a bespoke exercise prescription program will be created through Equicantis where you can view all your horses exercises with descriptions and videos. A session and gait analysis report following treatment can be sent via email and shared with vets and other interested parties. A £20 deposit is required for all new clients to secure your booking. Extra charge if INDIBA is used as part of your horses treatment ~ £10/area May be subject to additional travel charge.
  • INDIBA radiofrequency treatment only ~ From £50
    Follow on INDIBA only treatment for specific injury rehabilitation or performance enhancement if recommended after initial assessment. Does not include a full assessment and palpation of the whole horse - only specific target areas as per your bespoke plan. For one area only, + £10/extra area treated. INDIBA only packages available for 6 or 12 treatments with up to 15% off when bought in advance. May be subject to additional travel charge.
  • Gold Treatment Package ~ £58/month
    12 Treatments One session a month 4 (quarterly) full physio assessments with gait analysis recorded 8 follow on treatments with INDIBA where necessary Send your videos for gait analysis as often as you like for constant monitoring Plus FREE branded saddlepad or​ £30 off an Equine Training Bands system Free hire of therapeutic equipment when available (Laser, PEMF rug, Training Bands, Ice boots, NMES) ​ Monthly Standing Order of £58. First payment must be received before appointment. Opt out at any time with just one month's notice. May be subject to travel charge payable at time of each session.
  • Silver Treatment Package ~ £45/month
    8 Treatments over the year One session every 6 weeks 2 full physio assessments with gait analysis 6 follow on treatments with INDIBA where necessary Discounted hire of therapeutic equipment when available (Laser, PEMF rug, Training Bands, Ice boots, NMES) ​ Monthly Standing Order of £45. First payment must be received before appointment. Opt out at any time with just one month's notice. May be subject to travel charge payable at time of each session.
  • Bronze Treatment Package ~ £260
    4 Combined Physio and INDIBA Treatments only £260 - SAVE £60 4 follow on treatments with INDIBA where necessary to be used within 6 months Payment due on day of first package treatment by cash or BACS, or pay by card online via your invoice. May be subject to travel charge payable at time of each session.
  • 6 INDIBA only treatments ~ From £270 ~ Saving 10%
    6 Sessions to be used within 6 months. This price is for 1 area only - multiple areas will incur an additional charge (+£10) payable at time of appointment or in adjusted package price. Does not include any other manual assessment or treatments. Only available after an initial assessment. Payment due on day of first package INDIBA treatment by cash or BACS, or pay by card online via your invoice. May be subject to travel charge payable at time of each session.
  • 12 INDIBA treatments ~ From £510 ~ Saving 15%
    12 sessions to be used within 12 months. This price is for 1 area only - multiple areas will incur an additional charge (+£10) payable at time of appointment or in adjusted package price. Does not include any other manual assessment or treatments. Only available after an initial assessment. Package can be claimed over multiple horses if desired. Payment due on day of first package INDIBA treatment by cash or BACS, or pay by card online via your invoice. May be subject to travel charge payable at time of each session.
  • The Ridden Horse Performance Assessment ~ £20
    Get assistance performing you horses Ridden Horse Performance Assessment as part of your horses physiotherapy session. This requires you riding your horse for 15 minutes in certain patterns at your horses current training level and your horses behaviour is observed. The 24 point checklist is carried out for you with your score calculated and recorded. This can be either in person at your yard with help performing and videoing the required movements, or being sent the video footage for analysis and your horses score calculated for you. The Ridden Horse Performance Assessment is the ideal way to monitor your horses current ridden behaviour and potential musculoskeletal pain before obvious lameness is evident. It can help determine if your horse is struggling to perform at its current level or on the right track in its rehabilitation program following and injury or ailment. It is recommended to perform this assessment at least every 3 months but ideally monthly while your horse is in ridden work.
  • Therapeutic Equipment Hire
    As clients of PAP you have exclusive rights to hire our therapeutic equipment that might be recommended as part of your bespoke treatment plan. > Class 3b & 4 Laser > PAP Training Bands system plus discount to purchase new > VIP half pad > FMBs PEMF & massage rug > NMES muscle stimulation device > Pro Cooling Ice therapy boots set of 4 Free hire available to those on Gold Treatment Package.
  • Area Covered & Travel charge
    Please check the map to see if we cover your area. A travel fee may be charged according to your zone for single/urgent journeys. Where possible yards in similar areas will be combined to negate/reduce your travel charge.
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