When I arrive at your yard for an appointment, I will want to get as much information as possible from you about your horse. This will include taking a full history from you about your horse.
The full history will include the horse’s name, age, breed, duration of ownership, discipline, any history of illness or injury, or other relevant clinical veterinary history, the horse’s nutritional and general management routines etc.
I will also look for information about tack and training aids being used and about the input of other para-professionals, including the vet, the farrier, the dentist, the saddle-fitter, other therapists etc. I will enquire about any concerns, any attitude shifts, or behavioural changes, any stiffness etc. that you may have noticed, as you, the owner, know your horse best! Then you will also be required to sign an “Approval to provide therapy” document.
After this, I will carry out a static visual examination of the horse, where I will look closely at your horse’s posture, conformation, muscle symmetry and general attitude and presentation.
This will be followed by a dynamic assessment, where I will watch your horse in walk and trot, in a straight line. During this assessment I will closely examine the horse’s movement, particularly looking for symmetry (or asymmetry) of the movement. I will then ask you to turn the horse on the forehand, in a small circle, in both directions and to rein back with your horse. I may also view your horse lunged, observing every detail, with my razor sharp eye for gait assessment!
This evaluation is very valuable for me in determining any areas of stiffness, unevenness, asymmetry, weakness, imbalance, or even lameness and to observe any behavioural, postural, or facial expressions that may indicate pain.
Although it is not normally necessary to view your horse ridden, if you feel that there is an issue that is only visible when the horse is ridden, or if you believe the horse needs to be seen under saddle for whatever reason, then absolutely, I will do so, to gain a better understanding of what’s going on.
I will then do a hands-on assessment, thoroughly palpating the horse from head to toe, noting any areas of soreness, tension, tenderness, or muscle spasm and identifying any areas of swelling, or areas where there is a reduction in muscle tone.
I will evaluate the range of motion in joints, as well as evaluating the horse’s saddle and bridle fit, as well as hoof balance.
What’s next?
Guided by my findings in evaluating your horse, I will now be in an informed position to discuss my recommendations for therapy options for your horse as an individual, using a holistic approach.
The above assessments also serve to inform me if any contraindications for therapy are present (please see contraindications listed under each individual therapy modality).
Where contraindications are present, that particular therapy cannot be carried out. However, this isn’t very common.
Recommendations
Therapies I will recommend during appointments may include musculoskeletal therapy, stretching, mobilisations, osteopathic articular balancing (OAB), and passive range of motion (ROM), which can be combined with any of my evidence-based revolutionary electrophysical therapies.
In cases where horses are visibly lame, referral to a veterinary surgeon will always be advised.
I am more than happy to work in conjunction with your vet, to provide the best rehabilitative care possible for your equine friend.
After your appointment
Aftercare advice and a therapy programme will be provided after your appointment, for all cases, via Equicantis. This is a very user-friendly web application, that can be used by anyone, either on your phone or on a laptop. You definitely won’t need a tech degree to operate this, it’s very simple!!
The aftercare may include prescriptive exercises, that are explained step-by-step, with ‘how to’ videos. These exercises serve to encourage correct movement, to improve proprioception and to prevent injury/re-injury.
Aftercare advice may also include referral to other para-professionals e.g. independent saddle-fitter, equine dentist etc.