Veterinary Physiotherapy Equine Advice

Owners and riders often know when a horse feels different before the reason is clear. A transition may become less fluent, one rein may feel harder, or the horse may react during grooming or tacking. These observations are useful, but no single sign proves that a muscle, joint, saddle or training issue is responsible.

New, persistent or worsening changes should be discussed with your veterinary surgeon. Lameness, back pain, hoof balance, tack, dental problems, training, rider influence and general health can overlap. Assessment works best when the relevant professionals share their findings rather than treating one sign in isolation.

Movement changes
A horse may begin to shorten the stride, feel less even, drift, lose rhythm or show a repeated difficulty with a particular transition, direction or canter lead. You may also notice stiffness when leaving the stable, reduced willingness to go forward, or a different way of negotiating slopes and turns. Surface, speed, rider and fatigue can change what you see, so note the circumstances rather than relying on one moment.

Behaviour and handling changes
Behaviour can change when a horse is uncomfortable, although it is not a diagnosis by itself. Pay attention to a new reaction during grooming, rugging, tacking or mounting, as well as repeated tail swishing, ear pinning, reluctance or tension during work. A sudden or strong response needs veterinary attention, particularly when it occurs with altered movement or a decline in performance.

Changes in recovery and physical condition
Consider whether the horse takes longer to recover from familiar work, tires unusually quickly or struggles to maintain normal quality of movement. Visible asymmetry, a change in topline or local muscle loss may also justify assessment. These changes can have several causes, so increasing exercise to correct them without first understanding the problem may be unhelpful.

What to record
Keep a brief note of when the change began, whether it is consistent, which surfaces and activities affect it, and any recent change in workload, shoeing, tack or routine. Video from a safe position can help demonstrate a recurring concern, but it should not replace an examination. Do not continue ridden work to obtain footage if the horse appears painful or unsafe.

How equine physiotherapy fits
Following veterinary assessment and referral where required, I review the horse’s history, posture, movement, muscle function, joint movement and work demands. Treatment and a home programme are selected from those findings. Where relevant, I can work alongside the veterinary surgeon, farrier, saddle fitter and trainer so that recommendations support the same goal.

Maintenance physiotherapy may be appropriate for a healthy horse that is registered with a veterinary practice. If assessment suggests pain, disease or injury, maintenance work must stop and the horse should be referred to the veterinary surgeon before remedial treatment continues.

When veterinary assessment should come first
Contact your veterinary surgeon promptly for a sudden or marked lameness, inability to bear weight, significant swelling, heat with pain, trauma, neurological signs, colic signs, breathing difficulty or rapid deterioration. Do not arrange physiotherapy as a substitute for investigating a new clinical problem.

Arrange an assessment
If your horse has been assessed by a vet and physiotherapy has been advised, or you want to discuss appropriate maintenance care for a healthy horse, contact me via OP Vet Physio. Mobile appointments allow the horse to be assessed in its usual environment and with its normal routine in mind.

Clinical references
McGowan CM. Introduction to Equine Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. Veterinary Clinics of North America Equine Practice. 2016;32(1):1-12. Dyson S. Recognition of equine behaviour associated with musculoskeletal pain. Animals. 2024. Greve L, Dyson S. The horse-saddle-rider interaction. Veterinary Journal. 2015;204(1):39-45. Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Supporting guidance for veterinary surgeons, section 19.