| All types of animals can benefit from physiotherapy for a range of conditions. Veterinary physiotherapy is a beneficial and effective addition to veterinary care rather than a replacement. Physiotherapy can help in the management of performance, prevention of injury, recovery from injury and in promoting healthy and comfortable old age.
Chartered Physiotherapists are trained to the highest of standards, qualifying with humans first, to achieve an advanced knowledge of anatomy, movement and function. This allows them to become members of the Health Professions Council (HPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) which work hard to regulate the profession.
They then undergo an approved Animal or Veterinary postgraduate course to become qualified in assessing and treating animals. This enables them to become members of a specialist branch of CSP, known as the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy (ACPAT).
Members of CSP, HPC and ACPAT have a duty to maintain a portfolio of continuous professional development, proving that they are practicing with the best knowledge and evidence in mind.
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By choosing a physiotherapist who is a member of CSP, HPC and ACPAT you can be reassured that they will treat you, your horse, your dog or cat with methods proven to have worked! |
The British Olympic team have chosen an ACPAT Veterinary Physiotherapist since 1992 to travel with them and treat their horses.
The Veterinarys Surgeons Act 1966 states that only a veterinary surgeon or someone authorised by one can treat an animal. It is therefore illegal for a physiotherapist to treat an animal without prior consent of a vet. Most of the vets in this area know us and are more than happy to refer your pet to us if they believe physiotherapy is the appropriate course of treatment.
Common reasons for the use of Equine physiotherapy include:
- To maximise performance and potential in their discipline
- Schooling difficulties
- Enhancing recovery for tendons, muscles and ligaments
- Optimise physical maintenance during box rest
- Rehabilitation after time off work or after surgery
- Neck, back, and pelvic pain
- Nerve injuries
- Joint problems
- To assess for a physical problem presenting as a behavioural issue
- "MOT" to check your horse is ready for what you plan to do with them
- To help the older horse to optimise movement and comfort
- Post-race and post-event treatment
Techniques and services offered for Equine Physiotherapy
- Soft Tissue Massage
- Myofascial Release
- Stretches
- Reflex and reciprocal inhibition (Using animals own reflex to contract and relax muscle)
- Trigger Point Release
- Joint Mobilisations
- Electrotherapy such as Ultrasound, and Muscle stimulation and Laser
- Assessment
Prior to assessing your horse, a history on their problems and lifestyle will be taken. This is followed by an observatory assessment of their posture, conformation and gait. Palpation will follow the gait assessment feeling their muscles, tendons and joints looking for any possible problems. Once assessment is complete and problems identified, an individual treatment plan will be decided in line with any goals you have for your horse.
Please ensure that the person handling the horse for assessment can provide information about the horse and competent to be the handler at all times, including trotting up.Please also have your tack available to look at. Thank you
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Along side her human Physiotherapy interests Jane Hyde is a founding member of the Association of Chartered
Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy and regularly treats horses and dogs for back and related problems.
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