Danielle Hudson Veterinary Physiotherapy

18/11/2024

⭐️IT’S STARS WEEK⭐️

I have THE biggest soft spot for this pudding and had the pleasure of giving him a final go over before STARS down in Aintree!

🍀Wishing Hannah Mckay the best of luck for her and Boris 🍀

Keep your eyes out for this one this week & in the future 👀

🦄A very special pony 🦄

10/11/2024

😴My exact feels on admin 😴

Do absolutely love a good spreadsheet though 🤩

📞07854081174
👩‍💻www.hudsonvetphysio.co.uk

05/11/2024

🫵They need you🫵

Horses can’t speak and tell you they are starting to feel sore or stiff.

📣They CAN’T self advocate so they need you to do it for them.

🗯️Yes they can buck, rear, plant, swish their tails, bite and go lame when they are in pain.

🗯️But because of them being a prey specie, by the time they are displaying these behaviours they are already at a 7/10 on a pain scale.

❌ Don’t let it get to that stage and get physio regularly to iron out any niggles before it becomes a reason for them to complain.

✅Preventative is better than cure, ALWAYS!

Getting a physio every 6-12 weeks if your horse is being ridden 4 x a week is recommended if your horse has no issues or injuries.

27/10/2024

💡Laser therapy & wound healing 💡

🚨BARBED WIRE injury day 0 vs day 19 after laser therapy programme 🚨

🔦Laser therapy is a non-invasive therapy that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate cellular processes that promote FASTER RECOVERY and TISSUE REPAIR.

🔦When applied to a wound, therapeutic lasers penetrate the skin, energising cells and enhancing their metabolism.

🔦This stimulation prompts increased collagen production, which is essential for the structural integrity of new tissue.

🔦Laser therapy improves blood circulation to the affected area, delivering vital nutrients and oxygen while accelerating the removal of waste products.

🔦One of the key advantages of therapeutic laser therapy is its ability to reduce inflammation and pain.

🔦 Laser therapy not only speeds up healing but also minimises discomfort for patients.

🔦Studies have shown that wounds treated with laser therapy exhibit reduced scar formation.

📞07854081174
👩‍💻hudsonvetphysio.co.uk

24/10/2024

Whatchoo lookin at 👀

A somewhat unimpressed mare whilst I statically analyse her booty… can’t say I blame her!

A very very very interesting difference seen between this session and 5 months ago. This post will follow!

📞07854081174
👩‍💻hudsonvetphysio.co.uk

24/10/2024

👻👻👻👻

🎃🐾 Get Ready for a Spooktacular Time at Our Doggy Halloween Party! 🐾🎃

Join us for some fang-tastic fun on November 2nd at 9:45am at K9 Freedom Fields!

✨ Awards include ✨
👑 Best Dressed
🎉 Best Newcomer
🏆 Best Experienced Dog
🎃 Clear Rounds on our Spooky Course & more!

Whether your pup is a total hoopers beginner or a seasoned pro, there’s something for everyone.

🕸️ Costumes encouraged
🐶 Spaces are limited—book your spot now!
https://bookwhen.com/aimhigher/e/ev-sb38-20241102094500

📍 Location: K9 Freedom Fields
📅 Date: November 2nd, 9:45am

20/10/2024

Pre physio vs post physio 😴

Physiotherapy can indeed be tiring and may lead to feelings of sleepiness afterward for several scientifically backed reasons:

⚡️Muscle Fatigue
Physio involves exercises that target specific muscle groups. When these muscles are worked beyond their usual capacity, they become fatigued. Muscle fatigue occurs due to the depletion of energy stores (like glycogen) and the accumulation of metabolic byproducts (like lactic acid), leading to a feeling of tiredness.

⚡️Increased Energy Expenditure
Engaging in physical activity, especially rehabilitation exercises, requires increased energy expenditure. This can result in a caloric deficit and fatigue, making you feel sleepy afterward.

⚡️Nervous System Activation
Physio can stimulate the autonomic nervous system, particularly if techniques like manual therapy or electrical stimulation are used. This activation can lead to a temporary increase in alertness followed by a drop in energy levels as your body returns to a resting state.

⚡️Body’s Recovery Process
After physical activity, a body enters a recovery phase where it repairs muscles, which can be energy-intensive. Hormones like cortisol and growth hormone are released during recovery, and while they are necessary for healing, they can also lead to feelings of fatigue.

⚡️Psychological Factors
Physio can elicit a range of emotions and mental exertion. This mental component can exhaust the mind as well, contributing to overall tiredness.

⚡️Relaxation Response
Many physio treatments focus on relaxation techniques, such as massage or stretching. These can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes a state of rest and can lead to feelings of sleepiness post-session.

⚡️Pain Relief and Muscle Relaxation
Physio may involve techniques to alleviate pain, which can help relax the body. As muscles relax, energy levels can drop, leading to sleepiness.

Overall, it’s important to be mindful of how your dog responds after physiotherapy sessions and ensure to hydrate, rest, and potentially give them a small snack when needed to help offset feelings of fatigue.

18/10/2024

As part of our new ❄️𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤❄️scheme we are launching a four part series which will provide useful information for your Golden Oldies!

Keep your eyes peeled over the next few weeks for this useful information! 👀

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏: 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 🦴

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 (𝐎𝐀)?
OA is a chronic, degenerative disease process affecting joint surface cartilage and subsequently joint pain.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐎𝐀 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬?
It is thought that OA is under diagnosed in the older horse population, as a UK study found that many owners perceived reduced joint flexibility as a normal sign of ‘ageing’.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐀?
- Lameness is a tell-tale sign of OA.
- Horses becoming ‘increasingly difficult’ for the farrier to shoe or to pick up their feet.
- Increased sleeping during the day due to the horse feeling like they are unable to lie down and rest at night.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐀 𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞?
OA can occur throughout the body. A horse with OA in the forelimbs or neck may struggle to lower their head to graze properly, affecting feeding habits.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐎𝐀?
A thorough clinical examination carried out by a veterinarian is invaluable; the vet may look for joint effusion or new bone formation, along with reduced gluteal musculature. Joint blocks can be useful to localise the pain in a lame horse, and X-rays can be used to establish the level of progression of OA.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐀?
The aim of treatment is to provide comfort and ideally limit disease progression. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (including bute and meloxicam) can be prescribed and given orally at home. Intra-articular joint medications can also be used.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐎𝐀?
A good joint supplement can be useful; a supplement containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate, and antioxidative vitamins - such as Hestevard’s Hesteflex - is recommended. Little things that can be done at home to alleviate difficulties of OA include raised feeders and ensuring water/feed sources are close to shelter. Maintaining a low level of exercise, such as maximising the amount of turnout or hand walking, is also very beneficial!

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝟎𝟏𝟕𝟎𝟗 𝟗𝟏𝟏𝟗𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐭𝐬.

🚨𝐀𝐥𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.🏡🦴

Please note, for further work ups a repeat visit may be needed or horses may be asked to come into the Clinic.

18/10/2024

🍀8am view🍀

…. A pinch me moment to take in how lucky I am!!

16/10/2024

💡Laser therapy to finish off the physio session💡

In this instance I am using Laser therapy to help alleviate pain caused by hip arthritis.

Laser therapy works amazingly alongside physio to help reduce pain & swelling and improve musculoskeletal health and happiness 😄

📞07854081164
👩‍💻hudsonvetphysio.co.uk

07/10/2024

🕶️ Soaking up the last of the summer 🕶️

💦The ground is getting softer
🥶The nights are getting colder
⏰Schedules are changing & they are standing in more and for longer…

Addressing musculoskeletal pain, niggles and weaknesses with physio will enable you to prevent the negative implications of winter!

**Reduced Exercise and Movement**

Confinement can lead to a significant reduction in natural movement. Research indicates that movement is critical for maintaining joint health, muscle conditioning, and overall musculoskeletal system integrity. The constrained space can lead to decreased physical activity, which directly affects muscle strength and flexibility and contributes to stiffness and discomfort.

**Increased Risk of Injury**

The combination of decreased movement & environmental factors increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries in winter. Stabling for long periods increases injuries such as strains or sprains when they finally do have the opportunity to move freely.

**Development of Behavioral Issues**

Confinement during winter can contribute to behavioral issues stemming from boredom and frustration due to lack of movement. The “stable vice” behaviors (such as cribbing, weaving, or pacing) can worsen musculoskeletal problems by promoting poor posture and movement irregularities, which may further diminish the horse’s ability to move comfortably and efficiently.

**Dietary Considerations and Muscle Condition**

During winter, the availability of fresh grass is non-existent, and many horses are fed hay or specially formulated feeds that may not provide the same nutritional balance as grazing. Inadequate nutrition can affect muscle condition and recovery, hindering the horse’s ability to build and maintain optimal musculoskeletal integrity during the colder months.

**Bone Density and Inactivity**

Research shows that increased movement helps stimulate bone remodeling and keeps bone density stable. Lack of movement during winter can lead to decreased loading on bones, causing a reduction in bone density and potentially leading to osteopenia or osteoporosis over time.

30/09/2024

💈 Walking over a pole 💈

The most under estimated activity to do. This is why I’m like a broken record…. You don’t need gadgets!

This is a TB ex-racehorse with poor topline. Walking normally with no gadgets on the lunge you can see him not engaging his core at his point in the stride.

Add a pole and the core engages and the back lifts.

# # # Evidence-Based Benefits of Walking Over Poles

1. **Controlled Engagement**: Walking over poles typically allows for slower, more controlled movement, which can enhance the horse’s ability to consciously engage its abdominal muscles. Research has shown that slower gaits can facilitate activation of core muscles as the horse stabilizes itself while navigating obstacles.

2. **Focus on Muscle Coordination**: When walking over poles, the horse can focus on lifting its legs and placing them correctly, which can lead to improved coordination and controlled engagement of the abdominal region. This controlled movement reduces the risk of overstressing the muscles compared to faster gaits.

3. **Balance and Stability**: Walking provides a stable platform for improving balance and stability, which is fundamental for abdominal engagement. Studies indicate that the core muscles are activated more effectively in slower, balance-oriented exercises.

4. **Reduced Strain**: Walking generally imposes less physical strain on the horse’s body than trotting, allowing for longer sessions focused on muscle engagement without the risk of fatigue, which can contribute to more consistent abdominal engagement.

18/09/2024

🐾Same doggo, different butt🐾

Outstanding effort from Leroy & his owner in 6 weeks! Owner compliance is EVERYTHING

Leroy is an active 🌭dog with a busy hoopers schedule. His owner wanted to make sure he was in tip top condition and address some strange nibbling of his back. After 1 treatment the nibbling stopped 🤞and we addressed some hindlimb weakness and unevenness.

6 weeks in and they have smashed the goals ☄️

Now they will drop down to a maintanence programme to keep what they have worked hard to build.

They had a fab weekend at hoopers, the best he had gone, but I don’t want to link the two JUST yet… as a true scientist I like my rules of 3.

08/09/2024

😶The face says it all 😶

A horses facial expression can tell us a lot about how uncomfortable our horses are. After a CPD with Dr Sue Dyson I now use her Facial Expression Ethogram when assessing horses both statically, dynamically and during palpation to evaluate their pain.

This method involves analyzing specific facial markers, such as ear position, eye shape, nostril flaring, and tension in facial muscles. By observing these expressions I can gain insight into a horse’s pain levels and emotional state.

An ethogram provides a standardized approach, allowing for more effective pain assessment and monitoring over time. Together, physiotherapy and the equine facial expression ethogram enable better management of equine health and well-being, leading to happier, more responsive horses.

I continue to develop my assessment skills by staying up to date with evidenced-based techniques and knowledge.

A physiotherapists work is so much more than just massage & mobilisations. There is constant detective work going on in our brains.

01/09/2024

💜I love nothing more than updates from my clients!💜

☘️These messages mean everything to me & make the best job even better ☘️

29/08/2024

🕵️‍♀️ Putting my “Master Saddlers Association Introductory into saddle fitting course” into practice.

❌This saddle isn’t fitting properly due to bridging at the back panels ❌

This horse had a sore big with atrophy on the back muscles so I asked to see the saddle.

🌟 Understanding Saddle Fit: Bridging and Its Impact on Your Horse 🌟

When a saddle bridges, it leaves gaps between the saddle panels and the horse’s back, often resulting in instability. This instability can restrict your horse’s natural movement, leading to poor performance in disciplines ranging from dressage to jumping. Additionally, prolonged pressure from a poorly fitting saddle can cause inflammation and pain in the back muscles, ultimately compromising your horse’s overall wellbeing.

Recognizing the signs of bridging is essential for maintaining your horse’s health. Look for indicators like reluctance to move, unusual behavior under saddle, or muscle atrophy along the back.

To avoid these issues, always consult with a qualified saddle fitter who can assess your horse and make the necessary adjustments.

Invest time in proper saddle fitting—it’s a game changer for your horse’s comfort, health, and performance. Let’s keep our equine partners happy and moving freely! 🐴❤️