Barbara Boross - Equine Veterinary Physiotherapy NAVP member

16/08/2024

Incredible trainer, amazing horse

14/07/2024

Some myths busted about saddle fitting.

Very often I hear “My saddle was fitted a month ago so it must be OK.”

Well, just check it against these drawings and recommendations and be honest to yourself.
And to your own horse.
Please.

04/06/2024

Well done Sarah and Dave!
Joy to treat :)

🥇🥇🇬🇧 Our First British Eventing WIN!! 🇬🇧🥇🥇

What a start to the 2024 season, with a win at Ascott Under Wychwood in the BE90. The special boy was foot perfect from start to finish and I could not be prouder. He is absolutely my horse of a lifetime ❤️❤️.

A lovely dressage test to score us the 2nd highest in the section with 28.3, followed by a lovely clear round in the showjumping (after an AWFUL warmup!), topped off by storming around the XC like an absolute legend with no time penalties.

It's been such a sad week for the sport, with the extremely sad passing of Georgie Campbell last weekend at Bicton, so our Saturday result felt even more special as we rode the XC in Georgie's colours, purple and white. Though I didn't know her personally, I hope we did you proud, Georgie and our thoughts continue to be with your family and friends 💜🤍. The Eventing community is such a special one, and the last week in particular has made me reflect on how grateful I am to be a part of it.

It's also absolutely imperative to add that Saturday (and all other events!) was definitely a team effort. you are the absolute best and I love you to bits, thank you so much for having my back, for all your support and everything you do ❤️. Also, enormous thanks to for putting up with me for the last 3yrs and for all your guidance and support, the training has definitely paid off! And to huge thanks to for kicking our butts on the dressage, we've seen so much improvement and I'm excited for what's next!

27/05/2024

Another STAR in the sky.
Once again we are reminded how dangerous those XC courses can be and eventing is only for the Bravest!
Fly high and Shine bright!

26/05/2024

Good little pony to support
Well done Sonny & Charlotte.

31/01/2024

This is going to be a good CPD

Join Dr. Sue Dyson, the international leading expert discussing the Back Pain with a Focus on the Lumbosacroiliac region.

19/10/2023

Shivers might be treatable?! That’s exciting!

03/09/2023

The best farrier :)

09/08/2023

It’s high time for us physios to think about the benefit vs risks when we recommend poles to our patients.
What’s the very best for the individual patient?
POLES versus CORRECT RIDING?!
High time to think twice!

Simple a online equine course with Jean Luc Cornille

15/06/2023

This is exciting news.
Closing down the gaps between proffesionals and helps all of us to see the next chapter(s) of becoming regulated together.

Exciting news to announce…

In addition to ESMA therapists accreditation by AHPR, Animal Therapy Solutions are now a Recognised Education Provider for RAMP!

This is a hugely important step which will allow Level 4 graduates to count their 46 academic credits and 150 clinical hours towards building the training portfolio pathway needed to achieve RAMP Registration.

This is hugely exciting for our training provider Animal Therapy Solutions Ltd and confirmation that they deliver the best, and only regulated, independent training available.

ESMA therapists are leading the way in industry.
Accredited by Open Awards for OFQUAL, and by APHR, and recognised by RAMP.

Follow link to our website to find out how to apply for this years intake

Animal Therapy Solutions Ltd
Animal Health Professions Register - AHPR
RAMP-Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners

06/06/2023

Happy client, happy horse :)

Super day at Little Downham yesterday with The OJ Syndicate’s (Kerry Lockwood Bradshaw, Janine Nicholls, Freya McAleer, Mrs N) golden child 🍊

On to Nunney International Horse Trials 💨

Zebra Products
M & J National Horse Transport Ltd
Amerigo saddles
Jump 4 Joy
Lisa White International Dressage Trainer
Caroline Moore Event Coach
Barbara Boross - Equine Veterinary Physiotherapy NAVP member
Sally Prichard - Equissage Pulse UK - Midlands & West
uvex equestrian
Sports Horse Services Ltd
Dynamic Performance Hub

🧡

30/05/2023

- Would you like to improve your equine palpation skills to the highest level?
- Do you want to become confident in report writing?
- Do you want to learn the difference between dehydrated tissue, spasm, increased tone or reduced muscle mass, etc?

If so, come and join us for this 3-day practical CPD delivered by one of the most experienced equine veterinary physiotherapist in the industry.

Event: Advanced Equine Palpation Skills and Relevant Report Writing
Date: 3rd-5th Jul 2023
Link to buy tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/nationalassociationofveterinaryphysiotherapists

03/05/2023

It does not matter what type of girth. The question is whether it fits.
Very nice demonstration.
Please check yours today!

“SUDDENLY”

“My horse is suddenly girthy. I know you were just here recently, but can you come check my saddle?”

“The saddle you fit last month is suddenly sliding around. Something is wrong; I need you to come back out.”

When I get called out to assess a saddle I’ve seen recently that I know is a good fit, the FIRST question I ask is, “WHAT CHANGED?”

More often than not, a new “kinder” anatomic girth was purchased.

When a girth does not fit the horse’s shape, it gaps (usually between the front legs), and a couple things occur:
1. The gap REDUCES the surface area of the girth. Instead of being 9cm wide, the girth is now 3cm wide. This decreases the stability of the saddle, resulting in saddle slip.
2. The gap moves all the pressure to be focused in the small area it does touch, causing discomfort for the horse. If it gaps in front, the pressure is moved closer to the sensitive cartilage of the xiphoid process.

The vast majority of horses go well in a simple straight girth.

Don’t overcomplicate things.

20/04/2023

And Centaur Biomechanics summarised the scientific data why lunging is not the number one solution for rehabilitation. If no other option, it could work for a short while but not my number one rehab tool.

Long reining-double line lunging in the whole arena could do a much better job if the onwer and the horse know how to execute correctly without keeping the horse too short at the front. Learning new tricks at the rehabilitation phase is not really advised (risk vs benefit!).
I wish everyone could do it similar to this:

https://youtu.be/LnBAkDmsflE

I actually have patients who can offer very nice posture and good quality work without any tack, freely in the arena with full control of speec by their owners. Why would I advise any tack if the picture is pretty good and I have the desired posture?

This is why it is crucial to observe and assess the individual horse-owner pair during ex*****on of the rehab programme instead of prescribing a specific method, exercise programme or a specific tack for for certain injuries. I’ve had patients completing a 6-10week rehab programme and not being able to improve because noone checked the ex*****on phase and the horse completed the entire programme in an incorrect posture which was detrimental and stopped any improvement that could have happened during that 6 weeks.

If you are unsure, please get in touch with your vet physio, your trainer, coach for advice. You can also record and watch your work to see reality. Honesty and asking for help is paying off very soon.

** THURSDAY RESEARCH MEME**

Todays research meme relates to circular locomotion. When on a circle, the inside limbs take a shorter stride than the outside limbs, coupled with the need for the horse to generate forces to turn the body, circular locomotion creates asymmetric forces on the limbs and asymmetric movement patterns.

Lunging is popular, however consideration should be given to circle induced asymmetries and the effect that lunge exercise and techniques (circle size, training aids, surface, time spent on each rein etc) may have on the horse🤓

For more information www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/blog/

12/04/2023

Slower is better!

Just a reminder - I think this visual representation of skeletal maturity is very useful. Think carefully about what you do with the youngsters: when, and how, you start them. There is no need to jump every week when their backs aren't ready. This is why I think the Young Horse classes are ethically dubious. It's also why you won't see horses that were started young after about the age of 9. They're already broken!!

29/03/2023

Only £10!!!! 2nd April 2023 19.30pm - Canine - Vets Vs Owners Vs Physiotherapists

14/03/2023

There will be lots of news & announcements coming up at the AGM on the Wed 15th Mar 7pm. Your votes are important so please join us.

07/03/2023

Another CPD opportunity, this time targeting vet surgeons.
I’m glad to be part of delivering the physiotherapy section.
National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP)

Webinar Plus: Introduction to equine physiotherapy and rehabilitation
6th March to 2nd April

Would you like to better understand what equine physiotherapy and rehabilitation is all about and how to integrate it in your everyday practice?

This course aims to provide you with a better understanding of the modalities available today in equine rehabilitation and how to best integrate them in a general equine practice covering:
◼Basic principles of equine rehabilitation
◼Rehabilitation of tendon and joint injuries
◼Managing horses with back and sacro-iliac problems
◼Use of Shockwave therapy
👉https://bit.ly/3lDRzOA

02/03/2023

Welcome to all of you who renewed or joined National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP). If you missed the renewal date, there is still an opportunity to renew - contact NAVP via the website for more details.

A huge Thank you to the NAVP renewals secretary who has been inundated with renewals this year!

The executives have been working hard to make 2023 a year of opportunity and growth. More news on this will be posted shortly.

National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapists (NAVP) was formed in 1985 - today we are stronger than ever. Our association is made up of a wealth of experienced and knowledgeable members, ensuring you are supported in the industry.

We want to hear from you - If you need help, advice or have ideas that you feel could improve the association - reach out to us via https://www.navp.co.uk/contact-us or by Messenger on the page https://www.facebook.com/officialNAVP

25/02/2023

Really cool footage, thanks Laurie at I know it’s not a horse but all this can be translated to horses!!! Let’s remember that that growth plates do not all close at one time. Some growth plates are already closed at the time of birth; others do not close until the horse is 6 or more years old. Growth plates in the limbs close before those in the vertebral chain.
Please consider this before you do high intensity work with your horse, too much too soon.
If we understand all this, all of a sudden makes sense why most of the ex-race horses or ex-competition horses (started too soon) can be struggling and act like they have a body of a 70-year old man when they’re only 5-6 yrs.

25/02/2023

Really cool footage, thanks Laurie at Four Leg Rehab Inc
I know it’s not a horse but all this can be translated to horses!!! Let’s remember that growth plates do not all close at one time. Some growth plates are already closed at the time of birth; others do not close until the horse is 6 or more years old. Growth plates in the limbs close before those in the vertebral chain.

Please consider this before you do high intensity work with your horse, too much too soon.

If we understand all this, all of a sudden it makes sense why most of the ex-race horses or ex-competition horses (started too soon) can be struggling and act like they have a body of an ‘80-year old man’ when they’re only 5-6 yrs.

22/02/2023

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Some of the events planned for CPD 2023.

Further information on the events & how to buy tickets will be sent out very soon.

To see image more clearly, click on it & it will open in a new window.

15/02/2023

Thinking of joining? The "Why's", "What's" & "Wherefore's" of being an NAVP member.

29/01/2023

Discounted courses for NAVP members! These virtual talks are amazing value for money!

To book please contact Laura Stevens [email protected]