What is Equine Physiotherapy?
Equine physiotherapy combines a thorough knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics with skilled use of a therapist’s hands and movement analysis to detect, assess, and treat musculoskeletal and neuromuscular dysfunction. Physical therapy is an integral part of the successful rehabilitation and performance enhancement of athletes. Equine Therapeutic Solutions is proud to offer comprehensive physical therapy services to equine athletes and their riders.
The aim of ETS is to restore and maintain the health, soundness and performance of your horse by decreasing pain and by improving his quality of movement. Physical therapy is not an alternative therapy, but instead is considered the standard of care for athletes and individuals recovering from musculoskeletal injury. Equestrian teams and elite riders around the world recognize the benefit from incorporating physical therapists into their healthcare team.
The aim of ETS is to restore and maintain the health, soundness and performance of your horse by decreasing pain and by improving his quality of movement. Physical therapy is not an alternative therapy, but instead is considered the standard of care for athletes and individuals recovering from musculoskeletal injury. Equestrian teams and elite riders around the world recognize the benefit from incorporating physical therapists into their healthcare team.
When would your horse need to see a physiotherapist?
Horses cannot tell us where their pain is or if they have injured themselves and are often clever at hiding their discomfort with subtle changes in performance or posture.
Behavioral changes and poor performance can all be caused by pain, weakness, or stiffness. Horses recovering from musculoskeletal and neuromuscular injuries not only need their initial injury addressed, but also the side effects that are caused in their body’s attempt to compensate for injury.
Some reasons your horse may need assessment by a Physical Therapist include:
~ tendon, ligament, muscle or joint injuries
~ neurological disorders
~ poorly healing wounds or scars
~ prolonged stall rest or hospitalization
~ foals with developmental orthopedic disorders
~ tripping/stumbling/toe dragging/loss of balance
~ resistance to work or decline in performance
~ head shaking/tossing
~ poor acceptance of the bridle, pulling, heaviness, fussiness
~ bucking, rearing, tail wringing
~ excessive yawning, chewing, teeth grinding
~ resistance to bridling, saddling, girthiness
~ cantering problems such as cross canter, difficulty pickin up or maintaining leads
~ rushing or refusing fences
~ difficulty going up or down hills
~ back problems such as cold back, kissing spine, hunter's bump, sacroiliac pain
~ hollowing or lack of engagement
~ reluctance to go forward or shortened stride
~ difficulty with transitions, lateral work or lead changes
~ hoof problems such as soreness, sole bruising, hoof abscesses, uneven hoof/shoe wear
~ difficulty with square halts or backing
~ heavy competition schedule or for pre-season preventative maintenance care
Behavioral changes and poor performance can all be caused by pain, weakness, or stiffness. Horses recovering from musculoskeletal and neuromuscular injuries not only need their initial injury addressed, but also the side effects that are caused in their body’s attempt to compensate for injury.
Some reasons your horse may need assessment by a Physical Therapist include:
~ tendon, ligament, muscle or joint injuries
~ neurological disorders
~ poorly healing wounds or scars
~ prolonged stall rest or hospitalization
~ foals with developmental orthopedic disorders
~ tripping/stumbling/toe dragging/loss of balance
~ resistance to work or decline in performance
~ head shaking/tossing
~ poor acceptance of the bridle, pulling, heaviness, fussiness
~ bucking, rearing, tail wringing
~ excessive yawning, chewing, teeth grinding
~ resistance to bridling, saddling, girthiness
~ cantering problems such as cross canter, difficulty pickin up or maintaining leads
~ rushing or refusing fences
~ difficulty going up or down hills
~ back problems such as cold back, kissing spine, hunter's bump, sacroiliac pain
~ hollowing or lack of engagement
~ reluctance to go forward or shortened stride
~ difficulty with transitions, lateral work or lead changes
~ hoof problems such as soreness, sole bruising, hoof abscesses, uneven hoof/shoe wear
~ difficulty with square halts or backing
~ heavy competition schedule or for pre-season preventative maintenance care
When would a rider need to see a physiotherapist?
As with any other athlete, riders can suffer a variety of musculoskeletal aches and pains. Body asymmetry, weakness, tight muscles and poor balance can impact your riding and your horse’s performance. Often a rider will impose their asymmetries on their horse, leading to pain or poor performance. If you struggle with pain as a result of your riding, are having difficulty reaching your riding goals or are frustrated by your inability to make the corrections your instructor is asking for, then a Physical Therapist can help.
Some signs that you will benefit from an evaluation from a Physical Therapist specializing in equestrian PT:
Some signs that you will benefit from an evaluation from a Physical Therapist specializing in equestrian PT:
- Pain in your neck/back/hips/knees/ankles during or after riding
- Difficulty keeping your legs balanced under you
- Find yourself leaning to one side or sitting off center in the saddle
- Stirrup leathers stretching unevenly
- Hard to keep your feet in your stirrups
- Bouncing or poor balance in the saddle
- Uneven weight in your reins or uneven contact
- Left behind or get ahead of your horse over fences
- Difficulty sitting the trot
- Horse gets fussy or has behavior changes when you ride
- Difficulty maintaining a quiet seat or legs
- Instructor constantly reminding you to keep heels down, legs under you or shoulders back
- Muscle fatigue limiting your performance or riding time
- Uneven wear patterns on your saddle seat
