Jessica Spalding Veterinary Physiotherapist
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Equine Physiotherapy

When it comes to horses, I believe that every horse is an athlete and that as a physiotherapist I am one member of a team dedicated to maintaining your horses' physical fitness and keeping them on track to meet their athletic potential, alongside your veterinary surgeon, farrier, dentist, saddle fitter, trainer and rider.  Together we can keep a horse performing at their optimum level.  This is regardless of the horses' discipline, competition level or whether they are the family hack or pony club pony.  All horses benefit from regular physiotherapy treatments the same as they would benefit from regular farriery and saddle fittings.

Horses generally are quite stoic animals that don't grumble about the odd ache or pain, so if you notice subtle changes in your horse's behaviour or performance, they may be in need of a physiotherapy assessment.  This could present as unwillingness to work in a correct outline, struggling to strike off or land on the correct canter lead after a fence, stopping when jumping, or struggling to perform dressage movements or lateral work.  These are often early indications of a treatable condition.  Regular physiotherapy can also pick up on subtle asymmetries or problem areas before they impact performance and become a more chronic problem.

Jess has a keen interest in competiton and performance horses and the demands that training and competition schedules place on the horse and rider.  Therefore, all treatment sessions can be scheduled around your training and competition commitments.  Jess also specialises in pre and post competition treatments and pre and post season "MOT" checkups.  Please do not hesitate to contact Jess to discuss how physiotherapy could benefit your performance horse.
Common conditions that benefit from physiotherapy treatment include but are not limited to:
  • Muscular asymmetries
  • Muscle strains
  • ​Obesity
  • Back problems
  • Sacroilliac conditions
  • Kissing spines
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Bone spavin
  • Ringbone
  • Sidebone
  • Navicular
  • Check ligament sprains
  • Collateral ligament damage
  • Proximal suspensory desmitis
  • Superficial digital flexor tendon injury
  • Deep digital flexor tendon injury
  • Wounds that are unable to be sutured; are dirty or infected; or post-operative.
  • Reducing scar tissue
  • Splints
  • Fractures
  • Bucked shins
  • Haematomas
  • Bite or kick injuries
  • Mud fever
  • Laminitis
  • Exertional Rhabdomyolysis or "tying up"
  • Stifle injuries
  • Locking stifles
  • Tightness in the poll
  • Post-surgical rehabilitation
  • Postnatal physiotherapy and massage
  • Nerve injuries
  • Behaviour changes
  • Rider related issues
  • Low grade lameness
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If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact Jess to discuss how physiotherapy may benefit your horse or pony.​

Equine treatments are carried out at your yard, or equine hospital, after obtaining a veterinary referral, or permission from your veterinary surgeon.  This is in accordance with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, where no animal may be treated without veterinary consent.  

A comprehensive report recording the findings of the gait assessment, palpation and response to physiotherapy will be given to you, with a copy also sent to your veterinary surgeon or farrier.  Jess often prescribes some exercises as "homework" which target specific muscles or problem areas in between your physiotherapy sessions.  These are given as an information pack specific to your horse and can be demonstrated during your physiotherapy appointment.  These often include groundwork, polework, ridden exercises and stable based exercises for those on box rest, to add variety and fun reward based exercises to keep your horse supple and comfortable when limited to the stable or in hand work.
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Contact Us

07545882183
info@jessicaspaldingvetphysio.com
Copyright © 2019, Jessica Spalding Veterinary Physiotherapist.  All rights reserved.