Francesca Leslie Equine Physiotherapist

08/09/2024

Today is World Physiotherapy day!

Check out the RAMP register to find a Veterinary Physiotherapist, Chiropractor or Osteopath near you ➡️ https://www.rampregister.org/the-register

06/09/2024

Our little grafter Hannah Crawford is spending her Sunday off running Great North Run this weekend. Her chosen charity is bowel cancer following her Papa’s cruel diagnosis.
She/we and all bowel cancer sufferers would be very grateful if you can give anything at all to support them and Hannah 🏃‍♀️ ⬇️

https://www.justgiving.com/page/hannah-crawford-1708629703608?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fhannah-crawford-1708629703608&utm_source=whatsapp&utm_campaign=pfp-whatsapp

03/09/2024

warm up for Penrith Horse Trials by NCHT

We now have a date for XC training on grass with John Thornton at High Hesket: Thursday 12 September. 🐎
Perfect for anyone looking for a tune up before Penrith Horse Trials.
Non members (over 18s) welcome.

https://johnpeelridingclub.myclubhouse.co.uk/Events/Calendar/View?id=187

31/08/2024

No Membership Needed and Unpublished Results makes British Eventing accessible for all!

28/08/2024

**NEW SCOTTISH BE VENUE FOR 2025**

Following on from the exciting Scone Palace International announcement, we are delighted to confirm that South of Scotland Horse Trials will also be joining the Scottish Eventing calendar for 2025.

With the help of an enthusiastic local committee, the Clark family will organise the South of Scotland Horse Trials on their home turf of Valleyfield Farm, near Twynholm in the South West of Scotland.

28/08/2024

British Eventing (BE) is pleased to announce that the former Frenchfield site will now hold an event under a new name and management team.

24/08/2024

Just back from a lovely hack with this mare, Cannot believe she’s still here. Someone must want a pony club/riding club all-rounder that is good to do in every way. https://www.horsequest.co.uk/advertisment/349191

15/08/2024

Cross CountryThe cross country courses will be built by Rob McSkimming, who was part of the build team for Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and Luhmuhlen International Horse Trials as well as multiple British Eventing sites including but not limited to Belsay International Horse Trials, Hopetoun Horse Trials,...

02/08/2024

01/08/2024

This!

11/07/2024

Yes! Cross train your horses! Creating correct movement patterns will create a stronger more balanced horse in whatever discipline you enjoy.

I’ve recently begun cross training my racehorses in classical dressage and in just about 6 months time the changes have been remarkable!! Joint issues are resolving. Horses that were once tough to gallop are becoming light and engaged in their training. I’ve even noticed originally very different front feet, one high one low, becoming more symmetrical.

While the typical aim of high school dressage progresses towards ultimate collection, in the airs above the ground, my aim is a bit different, it’s ultimate extension…I like to think of my dressage goals as airs OVER the ground!

04/07/2024

There's still time to book your place ⏰

We're hosting a CPD course for farriers focusing on Foot Balance in the Horse.

📆 25th July
🕑 2pm - 6pm
📍 Greystoke Village Hall

A CPD certificate will be awarded upon completion.

To book a place, please call us on 01768 483789.

27/06/2024

11/06/2024

It never fails to amaze me how these horses adapt.

23/05/2024

Rehab starts too late and finishes too soon

I was intending on writing a post about kissing spine rehab but when I thought about what I wanted to say it occurred to me that the point I want to make isn’t just about rehab following surgery. it applies to any situation where we have had a change to management and we are aiming to restore normal function.

When we rehab people we get them moving really soon even with major surgery such as hip replacements. People are discharged from hospital on the same day and when they have spinal surgery they’re often walking around the day after their operation.
I understand that we have different factors to consider such as the environment, keeping the wounds clean and the behaviour of the horse but I think we all agree that keeping a horse on box rest for four weeks after having an ISLD- ligament snip operation with not being allowed to start any physiotherapy exercises is far too conservative. I personally believe this is going to limit the potential for rehab.

I am fortunate to work with vets that are really up-to-date on their understanding of recovery and the stages of rehab so I start programs following the veterinary intervention early. However, it frustrates me when I hear that this doesn’t happen around the country or around the globe.

Controlled and progressive loading, with a protocol individualised for each horse starting as soon as possible is essential. Obviously, this must take into account the experience of their owner, the injury or surgery, the environment, the pre-existing injuries, their goals, their facilities and all the other factors that influence designing a rehab plan.
But, a safe low intensity selection of exercises is going to start the progress to resuming function soon, taking advantage of the veterinary intervention and being both mentally and physically productive.

Then at the other end of the time frame, I don't actually think any rehab is ever over! Transitioning to normal work but keeping some of the useful strategies and exercises employed during rehab - scaling these up and down - is for life after injury or surgery.

02/05/2024

Variable feeding positions, being creative with passive physiotherapy as part of Billy's home work.

25/04/2024

💬 A lovely comment from a happy client. 🥰 🐴

18/04/2024

I had a busy day earlier in the week down in Cumbria 🥰.

15/04/2024

I love working with a broad range of horses – racehorses, competition horses, happy hackers and everything in between!

11/04/2024

🌟 Curved Grid 🌟

❗️Please note, this exercise is not suitable to green or physically weaker horses.

👉 Set up alternating ground and bounce poles on a curve and ride the grid equally in both directions in canter.

This exercise will really test the gymnastic ability of your horse, working on suppleness and balance. 🤸‍♀️

06/04/2024

This is why saddle fit is so important...Is your horse comfy in his saddle?

Your saddle is sitting on the longissimus muscle, right?
Well, not exactly...there are many layers of soft tissue that you are actually sitting on. They are muscles that connect the front and hind limbs and neck...and fascia that wraps the whole body and ligaments that protect the integrity of the spinal column....and nerves...and vessels ......pretty big deal when you think about it......