Frequently Asked Questions About Veterinary Physiotherapy

I've put together a handy list of frequently asked questions that should help answer most of your queries. If you can't find what you're looking for just drop a message through my Contact Me Page and I'll be happy to chat with you regarding your query.

General Questions About Veterinary Physiotherapy

Your horse or dog might benefit from veterinary physiotherapy if you notice any of these signs:

When something’s not quite right:

  • Limping or favouring one leg
  • Moving stiffly, especially after rest or exercise
  • Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or do activities they normally enjoy
  • Changes in behaviour like becoming irritable or withdrawn
  • A drop in their usual performance levels
  • Difficulty getting up or lying down
  • Back pain or sensitivity when touched

Common conditions that benefit from physiotherapy:

  • Arthritis or joint problems (hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia)
  • Recovery after surgery (cruciate ligament repair, fracture repair, spinal surgery)
  • Post-injury rehabilitation (muscle strains, ligament damage, tendon injuries)
  • Neurological issues (nerve damage, balance problems)
  • Back or neck pain (kissing spine, spondylosis)
  • Age-related mobility challenges in senior horses and dogs
  • Sports injuries in competition and working animals

The good news: Veterinary physiotherapy isn’t just for treating problems! Many owners use maintenance physiotherapy proactively to keep their animals in peak condition, prevent injuries, and maintain flexibility and strength as they age.

If you’re ever unsure whether physiotherapy could help your horse or dog, chat with your vet. They can help determine whether treatment would benefit your companion and recommend the best course of action.

It depends on which treatment pathway you choose:

Maintenance Physiotherapy – No referral required for our maintenance and care pathway. However, your horse or dog must be registered with a vet, and I’ll contact your veterinary practice to inform them about the planned treatment.

Rehabilitation Physiotherapy – Yes, a veterinary referral is legally required for our rehabilitation pathway. This ensures we’re providing the most appropriate care for your animal following injury, surgery, or illness, and allows close collaboration with your veterinary surgeon.

I offer two veterinary physiotherapy treatment pathways:

Maintenance & Care – Preventative physiotherapy for healthy horses and dogs to maintain optimal physical condition and prevent injuries. This proactive approach helps identify subtle issues—such as muscle imbalances or gait abnormalities—before they develop into serious problems. Ideal for:

  • Competition and working animals
  • Active dogs (agility, flyball, working breeds)
  • Senior animals to maintain mobility
  • Post-rehabilitation maintenance

Rehabilitation – Recovery-focused physiotherapy for animals recovering from injuries, surgery, or managing chronic conditions. Treatment focuses on restoring mobility, reducing pain, and improving quality of life. Ideal for:

  • Post-operative recovery (ligament surgery, fractures, spinal procedures)
  • Injury rehabilitation (strains, sprains, tendon damage)
  • Chronic condition management (arthritis, hip dysplasia)
  • Neurological recovery

Although a veterinary referral isn’t required for maintenance physiotherapy, your horse or dog must be registered with a veterinary practice. I’m legally required to contact your vet before treatment to inform them of my planned approach and ensure continuity of care for your animal.

This collaboration ensures your vet is aware of all aspects of your animal’s healthcare and can provide the best overall support.

Booking and Visit Information

Existing clients: Use the appointment booking form

New clients: Call or send a WhatsApp message using the number on the contact page – I’m always happy to help answer questions and find a suitable time for your horse or dog physiotherapy appointment.

To ensure an effective assessment and treatment:

For all animals:

  • Ensure your horse or dog is clean and dry before the appointment
  • Clear the treatment area (stable or room) of distractions
  • Have your animal’s medical history and any veterinary reports available

For maintenance appointments:

  • Horses and dogs are often more settled if they’ve completed their daily exercise beforehand

For dogs:

  • Have a quiet space available for the assessment
  • Bring any mobility aids your dog currently uses (harnesses, ramps, etc.)

Initial consultation: Up to 90 minutes – includes a comprehensive assessment, discussion of your animal’s history and needs, and the first treatment session

Follow-up appointments: Approximately 60 minutes – focused treatment based on your animal’s progress

This allows adequate time for thorough hands-on therapy and discussion of your animal’s rehabilitation plan.

The number of sessions depends on your animal’s specific condition:

Acute injuries: Often resolve in 1-3 sessions with appropriate rest and rehabilitation exercises

Post-surgical rehabilitation: Typically requires 4-8 sessions over several weeks or months, depending on the procedure

Chronic conditions (arthritis, hip dysplasia): Benefit from regular ongoing treatment – often monthly or bi-monthly sessions to maintain comfort and mobility

Maintenance for competition/working animals: Regular sessions (every 4-8 weeks) help prevent injuries and maintain peak musculoskeletal condition

I’ll discuss a tailored treatment plan with you after the initial assessment, so you’ll know exactly what to expect for your horse or dog’s individual situation.

 

Each veterinary physiotherapy session includes:

1. Assessment
A thorough evaluation of your animal, including:

  • Medical history and current symptoms
  • Lifestyle, activities, and performance requirements
  • Posture and movement analysis (gait assessment)
  • Muscle condition (tone, symmetry, areas of tension or atrophy)
  • Joint flexibility and range of motion
  • Pain assessment

2. Hands-On Treatment Therapy tailored to your animal’s needs, which may include:

  • Trigger point release (myofascial trigger points)
  • Therapeutic massage
  • Stretching exercises
  • Myofascial release
  • Joint mobilisation
  • Soft tissue mobilisation
  • Passive range of motion exercises

3. Rehabilitation Planning a comprehensive plan including:

  • Home exercise programs
  • Management strategies and activity modifications
  • Progressive exercise plans for recovery
  • Ongoing support between sessions

4. Documenting
A detailed treatment report shared with your vet and other members of your animal’s care team as appropriate, ensuring coordinated care

This depends on your individual animal and treatment type:

For maintenance treatment:

Horses: I suggest giving them the next day off to recover, followed by a couple of days of light work before gradually building back up to their normal routine.

Dogs: Often feel a bit tired after their session (completely normal!), so I typically recommend keeping them quiet for the rest of the day and resuming gentle walks the next day.

For rehabilitation treatment:

Exercise restrictions vary depending on your animal’s condition, the surgery or injury, and recovery stage. This will be discussed in conjunction with your veterinary surgeon and any other parties involved in the rehabilitation process.

I’ll always provide specific post-treatment guidance based on your animal’s needs after each appointment.

Yes! To help your horse or dog continue improving between sessions, I’ll provide you with a tailored exercise and rehabilitation program based on your facilities and your animal’s needs.

You’ll have access to our client portal, which includes:

  • Your animal’s treatment history and assessment records
  • Exercise plans you can follow at home
  • Progress tracking

I’m always available to discuss your animal’s progress and answer questions between appointments.

Fees and Payment

Equine Physiotherapy: Initial £60 per session follow up £55

  • Time onsite: 1 hour – 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Travel included up to 17-mile radius of BB5 (Accrington)

Canine Physiotherapy: Initial £50 per session follow up £45

  • Time onsite: 1 hour – 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Travel included up to 17-mile radius of BB5 (Accrington)

Yes! Custom discounted rates are available for:

  • Multiple pre-booked treatment sessions
  • Multiple horses treated at the same yard on the same day
  • Regular maintenance programs

Please contact me to discuss package options for your needs.

Payment is preferred by credit or debit card at the time of your appointment via a mobile card reader. I also accept:

  • Bank transfers (prior to the visit)
  • Cash on the day

Many pet insurance companies cover veterinary physiotherapy following an accident or surgical procedure. However, policies vary significantly, so please check with your insurer before booking to confirm that treatment costs will be covered.

If you need any documentation or a treatment plan to submit to your insurer, just let me know and I’ll be happy to provide the necessary paperwork.

Tip: Ask your insurer specifically about:

  • Coverage for physiotherapy treatment
  • Whether a veterinary referral is required
  • Any claim limits or excess payments
  • Pre-authorisation requirements

Service Areas and Travel

I’m based in East Lancashire (BB5) and provide mobile veterinary physiotherapy services throughout the Northwest of England, including:

  • Lancashire (Preston, Blackburn, Burnley, Lancaster, Accrington, Chorley, Leyland, Ormskirk)
  • Greater Manchester (Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, Oldham, Salford, Stockport, Wigan)
  • Cheshire (Warrington, Widnes, Runcorn, Northwich, Knutsford)
  • North Yorkshire (Skipton, Harrogate, Settle)
  • West Yorkshire (Leeds, Bradford, Huddersfield, Halifax, Keighley)

Can’t see your area? Contact me to discuss—I may be able to accommodate travel to surrounding locations.

No travel charge for appointments within 17 miles of BB5 (Accrington).

For appointments beyond this radius, travel is charged per mile per visit, calculated from my base location. I will clarify any additional travel charges with you.

Yes! I can offer reduced travel rates for:

  • Multiple horses treated at the same yard on the same visit
  • Regular scheduled appointments in the same area
  • Block bookings

Please contact me to discuss options for your location.

At this time, I only offer mobile veterinary physiotherapy services and travel to your location (home, yard, or stable). This allows me to assess your animal in their familiar environment and see how they move in their usual surroundings.

Electrotherapy

The most common question involves their primary functions. TENS is used primarily for pain relief by stimulating sensory nerves to block pain signals. NMES is used for muscle strengthening and rehabilitation by causing involuntary muscle contractions to prevent atrophy.

When used at the correct low settings, both therapies are generally well-tolerated and non-painful. Animals typically feel a mild tingling sensation (TENS) or a pulsing muscle contraction (NMES). Many animals, especially dogs, find the treatment relaxing and may even fall asleep.

Neither therapy should be used on animals with:

  • ❌ Absolute contraindications:

    • Pacemaker
    • Over tumors/cancer sites
    • Pregnancy (especially early stages)
    • Epilepsy/seizure disorders
    • Over carotid sinuses (neck area – horses)
    • Directly over heart
    • Open wounds or broken skin

    ❌ Relative contraindications:

    • Active infection
    • Acute inflammation (first 48-72 hours)
    • Severely anxious/aggressive animals
    • Areas with impaired sensation
    • Very recent surgery (first 7-10 days – check with vet)

     

Always check with your referring vet or with me if you are unsure.

The animal should be clean, dry, and well-rested. For horses, this ensures electrodes make proper contact through the coat. For dogs, a quiet space with blankets is recommended.

Still Have Questions?

If you haven’t found the answer you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m always happy to discuss how veterinary physiotherapy can help your horse or dog.

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