Why is Physiotherapy Good for Horses?

Physiotherapy interventions are very valuable for both the injured and able-bodied horse. These interventions are useful to help injured, stressed, exhausted, hard-working horses as well as healthy horses. 

Horses that are working very hard and at high levels of competition benefit greatly from maintenance sessions to stretch and relax muscles and improve performance through ensuring optimal functional capabilities.

HZA fully supports and promotes Patrick Thomas Equine Physiotherapy and has been working with Patrick and his team for over 5 years.  They have always sorted out any issues that we may have and gives all new horses coming in for training a thorough check up.  This is essential before starting work on either a young horse that has not been ridden before or a restart as any pain or discomfort will effect the training process.  Sometimes of course, it is pain that is the issue so it is wise to have your horse checked before automatically following a course of purely retraining action.  

Horses at HZA get physio daily	Amie training HZA Students	Student "hands on" practice

It is also often poor hoof care/bad trimming and poor dental care that can also cause horses to hold tension and this in turn creates pain.  The most obvious cause of discomfort and a sore back is often a poor fitting saddle, but it is amazing how often poor hoof trimming will contribute to a painful back.  It is essential to have good professionals in all these areas checking your horse's regularly.  There is more information on each of these areas on our website and we also profile those we recommend.  We only promote those we have experience of or work with regularly but there are some recommendations of those we have some familiarity with also or have seen evidence of their work.  Most of those profiled are of course based in the W Cape as that is where we are based, but there are some listed from other Provinces also.  

Horses coming for training are checked	Treatment given as needed	Young horse is taught stretches

Patrick Thomas: 

Patrick qualified as a physiotherapist in 1998. He has worked in several private practices over the years, with an initial strong emphasis on sports physiotherapy. Since 1999 he has been working with horses, running his own equine practice since 2000.

Patrick is now pursuing an interest in antiretroviral rollout and healthcare management in South Africa. He still administers the equine physio practice, and continues to consult on cases and offer certain courses.

www.equinephysio.co.za

Patrick still offers courses for the horse owner and they are well worth while attending or organising for yourself along with riding colleagues or at a livery yard.  The courses offered are on:

• equine stretch and soft tissue release
• Comprehensive course on equine massage

Patrick Thomas Physiotherapy covers Cape Town and greater W Cape including Robertson and the Garden Route

Patrick running a workshop at HZA	Amie giving a treatment at HZA

When is Physiotherapy Useful?

• Injury rehabilitation
• Pre- and post-competition
• General maintenance
• Pain and stress management
• Tension, stress and muscle-spasm release

Common Treatment Modalities Used

• Soft-tissue release
• Massage
• Joint mobilisation
• Heat/ice therapy
• Neural tissue mobilisation
• Stretching
• Passive movements
• Dry needling
• Ultrasound
• TENS and Faradic
• Laser therapy

Common Conditions, injuries and problems treated

• Post operative rehabilitation
• Trauma, accident rehabilitation
• Neural lesion, strains rehabilitation
• Tissue adhesions, scarring, wounds
• Muscle tension, spasms, pain
• Muscular related lameness
• Fatigue, stress
• Azoturia, tying-up

Details are taken from the website