Pegasus Veterinary Physiotherapy

12/07/2025

I gave duke an apple ice pop today to help him in this heat and I think he liked it 😂. How have you helped your animals stay cool in this heat?

11/07/2025

As the hosepipe ban comes into effect throughout much of Yorkshire, please remember you CAN hose your animals down for welfare reasons.

This weekend is going to be another hot one, please don’t worry about using your hosepipe to cool your horses or dogs, especially if they are suffering from the heat.

Stay safe and cool this weekend guys ❤️.

10/07/2025

How cute are these guys!

Eric and Ted come to BodyRestore Animal Physiotherapy for maintenance physio and I had the pleasure of treating them this week! They are both the sweetest little guys and absolutely love having their physio and coming for cuddles.

We have some appointments next week in Bradford and I have limited appointments mobile in and around South Yorkshire.

Message to get booked in!

09/07/2025

This is why your animals are happy to see us. We make the feel good ❤️

Recent research shows that oxytocin—often called the “bonding” or “feel-good” hormone—is released in response to certain types of touch, including therapeutic techniques like massage and myofascial release. While oxytocin is known for fostering relaxation and emotional connection, it also plays a key role in promoting healing and supporting tissue repair.

In horses, oxytocin release can:
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Promote a sense of safety and trust
• Strengthen emotional bonds
• Modulate pain
• Enhance the body’s ability to rest, digest, and repair

Massage therapy that uses calm, intentional touch can help stimulate oxytocin, supporting both the physical and emotional well-being of the horse.

All bodywork is not equal.

https://koperequine.com/massage-with-myofascial-release-for-building-self-confidence/

https://koperequine.com/heres-a-list-of-things-you-may-not-yet-know-about-massage/

04/07/2025

Two very sleepy boys during their treatments this morning 😍.

Lovely to see horses respond to treatment and relax while I’m working on them ❤️.

Raven’s owner said she’d never seen him so chill before which made my heart happy 🌟

Message to book in and get your horse feeling zen 🧘‍♀️

04/07/2025

Don't blame your saddle fitter!

I think we can all say that our roller coaster climate is becoming increasingly difficult to keep our horses happy and healthy especially when it come to gut health. We all get the warning signs of the flush of grass and sugar levels after long dry spells then rain..

This is not just effecting the horses but the saddle fits too...

* Is your saddle slipping to one side. Obviously this can be caused by multiple factors but please consider that this can be gut related where the horse is compensating for discomfort.

* Is your saddle slipping forward. We are seeing horses exploding into their saddles at the moment and changing shape rapidly. It could mean that your flocking or shims need altering.

*please also take into account that horses tend to brace into their thoracic region of the back if they are under any imbalance, or stress physically, mentally and emotionally and should be considered carefully if your saddle isn't feeling quite right!

Theses are some of the issues we are seeing constantly at this time of the year and need close monitoring....

Something we always say is "you can't controll the seasons but you can support the systems" and we feel this is so relevant at this time.

At LM, we are pride ourselves on being problems solvers with the horses wellbeing at the forefront! 💜

🌐lmsaddles.com

30/06/2025

Not sure he was too impressed with being hosed down but I think he felt better for it. Also had some nice grass in the shade after ❤️

How have you guys kept your animals (and yourselves!) cool today?

Thankfully the heat drops off a bit tomorrow and we’re even forcast some rain later in the week!

30/06/2025

I love this series that Victory Equine Services do! So informative at the visual aids are great for better explanation

Muscle Monday - Longissimus Dorsi

The LONG-issimus dorsi is the longest muscle in the equine body. Although this muscle is the largest and most well know muscle of the back, it extends from the sacrum all the way up to the C4 vertebrae in the neck.

--- Function ---
The longissimus dorsi originates at the sacrum, ilium (pelvis), and along each lumbar and thoracic vertebrae. The longissimus dorsi inserts along the transverse processes of the vertebrae and the tubercles of ribs. Because the longissimus dorsi connects to the dorsal and transverse processes of all of the back vertebrae, it is the most powerful extensor muscle of the back.

- When both sides of the longissimus dorsi engage together, the spine is extended.

- When one side engages, the spine is flexed laterally.

- The longissimus dorsi also stabilizes the spinal column and transmits energy during movement.

This is one of the primary muscles to consider when fitting a saddle. Unlike the thin trapezius, which acts as more of a shoulder muscle, the longissimus dorsi is a large back muscle that can bear the weight of a saddle. I'll show a visual of this in the next post.

30/06/2025

Assessing Muscle Development in Horses – How Much Muscle is Too Little?

Understanding your horse’s topline is more than just an aesthetic choice — it's not just about looks - it’s a window into their health, comfort, and movement potential.

This drawing, based on Herbst et al. (2022) Muscle Atrophy Scoring System, helps us assess muscle atrophy using a simple 4-point scoring system:

1. No Atrophy – Healthy, rounded muscles with no sharp points or jaunty angles.

2. Mild Atrophy – Slight hollowing, but maintaining the majority of the topline curves.

3. Moderate Atrophy – Noticeable loss of muscle mass, with a loss of the natural topline curvatures and some jaunty angles.

4. Severe Atrophy – Sharp bony prominences, deep hollowing, very little muscle mass evident.

Whilst atrophy can occur for many reasons -

Poor welfare state, disuse, pain, injury, poor saddle fit, to name a few -

A question I would pose is how much muscle development is needed to carry a rider?

Does your horse have enough muscle mass to be ridden?

-

"Should I be riding my horse right now?"

Join Integrative Equine Podiatrist, Beccy Smith, and I as we discuss this topic through a variety of lenses: combining evidence-informed practice and research to give you practical skills to assess your own horse's wellbeing so you can answer the question for yourself.

30.06.2025 19:00 BST

Recording available if you can't make the live ❤️✨️

27/06/2025

I’ve had a lot of new followers recently which I am so grateful for. But it also made me realise I haven’t done a post about me for a while!

So hello and welcome to all my followers, both new and old! I’m Paige, the business owner at Pegasus Veterinary Physiotherapy.

I am a fully qualified and insured Level 7 Veterinary Physiotherapist registered with the NAVP. Before I trained as a vet physio I completed my undergraduate degree in Bioveterinary Science during which I decided I wanted to undertake my masters degree in veterinary physio. This was mostly due to my childhood dog suffering with arthritis and my horse having conformational issues which led to them both needing physio. I was in awe of the people treating my animals and knew this is what I wanted to do.

So after a few hard years of study, alongside raising a little boy! I qualified in 2023 and gained my Masters in 2024 and haven’t looked back since. I truly love meeting and treating all of your animals, be they cats, dogs, horses, and even a guinea pig along the way, no animal is too big or too small.

I am based in South Yorkshire but cover all areas surrounding and even do days at BodyRestore Animal Physiotherapy in Bradford.

If you would like to have a chat about your pet, even if it’s just to show off their beautiful face, feel free to drop a comment below or pop a message across and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!

I hope you all have a fabulous day and thank you once again for allowing me to live my dreams ❤️

23/06/2025

Sleepy boy after his physio, even eating his hay with his eyes closed 😂.

21/06/2025

It’s going to be super hot this weekend so keep an eye on your fury friends.

Some top tips for this weather
💦Make sure your animal has a supply of clean, fresh water. This might mean you have to change the water a couple of times during the day to ensure it doesn’t get too hot!
🏖️Provide shade or access to a shaded area if your animal is outside.
☀️Try and keep out of the sun during the hottest part of the day (between 11-1).
⏰If you can, walk you dog or work your horse early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cooler. If not, skipping a walk or ride won’t harm your dog or horse. But taking them out in the heat could.
🥵Keep an eye out for signs of heat stroke, below are some of the key signs to look out for and what to do if you think your pet is suffering.
🧴Your pale animals and pink skinned noses may be susceptible to burning. Putting suncream on them if they’re outside can protect their delicate skin!

Enjoy the sun, we don’t get much of it (normally!) but do it safely! If in doubt, call your vet!