Danielle Hudson Veterinary Physiotherapy

22/04/2025

🤪How Minty feels about me 🤪

📞07854081174
💻hudsonvetphysio.co.uk

16/04/2025

🥱The first time physio session effect 🥱

20/02/2025

🐾Bring your dog to work day🐾

07/01/2025

⁉️How does a physio walk a lame dog when it has snowed I hear you ask⁉️

…we carry them 🙄

05/01/2025

Base narrow forelimb conformation refers to a structural alignment where the forelimbs are closer together than the ideal posture🦵

Causes: genetic factors, developmental issues, or improper handling during growth.

❌Negative Implications of Base Narrow Forelimb Conformation❌

🤕Increased Risk of Injury🤕: particularly in the lower limbs, due to unnatural stress distribution. The alignment can lead to increased strain on the joints & tendons, resulting in conditions like splints, bowed tendons, and joint injuries.

🩼Gait Abnormalities🩼
This conformation can interfere with normal movement patterns, potentially leading to irregular gait patterns. Horses may exhibit a “paddling” motion or cross-firing, where the horse’s legs interfere with one another during movement. These gait abnormalities can hinder performance and efficiency during riding or competitive events.

🕴️Uneven Weight Distribution🕴️
The base narrow conformation can result in uneven distribution of weight across the hooves, which may lead to uneven wear of hooves and increase the risk of lameness or hoof-related conditions such as laminitis.

😫Impact on Performance😫
Horses may struggle with performance in disciplines requiring agility and speed, as their conformation can limit their range of motion or flexibility in the front end.

Conclusion

While base narrow forelimb conformation can be present in some horses without immediate issues, it is essential to monitor these horses for potential negative implications. Understanding the implications can help in making informed decisions regarding their training, care, and potential use in competitive disciplines. Regular veterinary assessments and proper farrier care can mitigate some of the risks associated with this conformation.

12/12/2024

08/12/2024

🚨HOCK SWELLING 🚨

This is NOT normal!


🥕This youngster presented with an abnormal gait and a very low grade bilateral hindlimb lameness.
🥕To palpate she was just too sore for a 3 year old turned away.
🥕A vet trip, lameness work up and diagnostic imagining reveal OCD in both stifles and her right hock.

There are various reasons, often indicating an underlying issue that requires attention. Here are some evidence-based reasons for hock swelling in horses:

1. **Injury or Trauma**: Direct trauma to the hock, such as kicks orfalls, can cause swelling due to bruising, hematoma formation, or soft tissue damage. Studies indicate that traumatic injuries are among the most common causes of localized swelling in performance horses.

2. **Arthritis**: Osteoarthritis, particularly in the distal hock joints, is prevalent in older or heavily worked horses. Research has shown that inflammation from arthritis leads to joint swelling, pain, and limited mobility.

3. **Tendon and Ligament Strains**: Strains to the digital flexor tendons or suspensory ligaments can manifest as swelling in the hock region. Histological evaluations have confirmed that such strains result in inflammation and edema.

4. **Synovitis**: Inflammation of the synovial membrane can occur due to infection or underlying joint disease, contributing to hock swelling. Diagnostic imaging has highlighted increased synovial membrane thickness in cases of synovitis.

5. **Infection**: Conditions like septic arthritis or cellulitis can lead to significant hock swelling. Veterinary studies emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to prevent joint damage.

Overall, hock swelling can indicate several serious conditions requiring veterinary evaluation, particularly if the swelling does not resolve with rest and supportive care.

26/11/2024

🥱Post physio snooze 🥱

👩‍💻www.hudsonvetphysio.co.uk
📞07854081174

20/11/2024

🫏Another wonkey donkey added to the team🫏

👀 Watch this space

8 y/o mare recently sold to a teenager for all round purposes.

They have had continuous issues with the saddle and performance. The owner has given her time off and restarted her with the same issues reoccurring and now worsening.

After her most recent new saddle fit she refused to walk forward and would buck when encouraged.

After a thorough assessment which revealed a bizarre hindlimb gait, severe scar tissue around the R hip and a very sore L back, this very wonky lady is off to the vets to find out what is going on behind the skin.

This mare is so so so genuine to have not seriously injured her rider when she herself is clearly in so much pain.

No matter how well the saddle would fit this mare (even though her current one doesn’t as it bridges at the back… so it can’t fit) this mare will always have back pain for as long as her muscle symmetry is unequal.

Hoping for the vets to reveal what exactly is going on so we can start to strength this lady up!

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.