Blackshaw Royd Veterinary Physiotherapy and Rehab

21/03/2024

🔴 Red, Infrared & Blue light Phototherapy 🔵

I’ve recently purchased a second Red and Blue light therapy machine to add to my toolkit to give me more options when treating horses 💪🏻

The new hand held device is battery operated therefore wire free when using which helps with difficult horses that are sensitive to touch when the wires tickle their sides during treatment 🙈

The Optimus Lumina device is small, powerful, simple to use and very portable making it a great piece of kit 👌

Phototherapy is a treatment using artificial light wavelengths from the ultraviolet part of the sun spectrum 🌞 where lights of a certain wavelength can be delivered at a higher intensity, without the light of all the other wavelengths that are heat producing light 🔥

Without going into too much scientific depth on photon absorption, electron bonding and the thermal agitation of molecules, below is a list of effects of each type of phototherapy! 😆

🔴Visible Red & Infrared Light phototherapy 🔴

🔺 Increases proliferation of cells essential for tissue repair
🔺 Increases vasodilation at capillary level
🔺 Accelerates collagen synthesis, the base requirement for tissue repair
🔺 Stimulates epithelial cells growth therefore reducing scar tissue, helps prevents proud flesh
🔺 Encourages the margins of WOUNDS to close together so perfect for any wounds or skin injuries 👌
🔺 Application of red light over acupuncture points changes conductivity of the skin releasing endorphins helping relax the horse

🔵 Blue Light Phototherapy 🔵

🔹 Inhibits bacterial proliferation at the site of wounds which
🔹 Reduces the possibility of infection
🔹 Higher energy levels available in blue light causes an adverse photo chemical reaction in the bacteria damaging or killing it 🦠🔫

I often use my red light down a horses bladder meridian / acupuncture points if I’m struggling to get a horse to allow me to touch them as they are so sore. This helps to relax them to my touch at the start of a treatment then they soon allow me to treat them…. It’s literally like magic! 🤣

It’s also very handy to use on wounds when a horse is extremely reluctant to have you touch their wounds as it’s so non invasive, you can use without touching the horse at all 💪🏻

23/12/2022

🎄 That’s a wrap for 2022 from Blackshaw Royd Veterinary Physiotherapy 🎄

Huge thank you to all clients who have supported me in my first few months of physio business, it is greatly appreciated and I’ve loved every minute of helping you and getting your horses more comfortable 👌

My new work wear freshly embroidered has just arrived and I can’t wait to get wearing it in 2023 💪🏻

I’m closed now for a steady week or 2 but the diary is open for the new year do if you want to start 2023 on the right foot, feel free to drop me a message to book an appointment for your horse 😍

10/10/2022

🤕 REHAB LIVERY 🤕

Are you struggling with your horse following illness / injury?

Do you find it hard to do all the rehabilitation advice given by your vet to get your horse going again following an injury or surgery?

We can help with:

🔹Kissing Spine surgery / injection treatment

🔹 Stifle arthroscopy

🔹 Bone Fractures

🔹 DDFT or SDFT injuries

🔹 Tendon injuries

🔹 Check Ligament injuries

🔹 Wound Healing / Pharmacology

🔹 Neurological Dysfunction

Here at Blackshaw Royd Equestrian we can help you get your horse back on track. With Alanna Pilling Vet Physio a fully qualified Physiotherapist who owns the yard, we can cater for any type of issue / injury to give your horse the best prognosis to return to full work 💪🏻

We have a multitude of ways to assist in your horse’s recovery whether it’s post surgery or an injury requiring rest:

🔹 Pulsed Electro Magnetic Field Therapy

🔹 Theraputic Ultrasound

🔹 Neuro Muscular Electro Stimulation

🔹 Red Light Phototherapy

🔹 Blue Light Phototherapy

🔹 Class 3B Laser Therapy

🔹 Heat Therapy

🔹 Cryotherapy

🔹 Good old fashioned Hand Walking!

🔹 Small paddock / restricted turnout

It can be daunting trying to rehab your horse around work and other life commitments but we can make that easier for you.

Please get in touch by PM to Alanna or ☎️ 07774 734719

05/08/2022

😍 It’s official - I’m a qualified Animal Physiotherapist! 😍

3 years of hard work has paid off, the stress of revision and exams 🙈 all worth it though. I’ve learnt more than I ever expected 💪🏻

My Insurance is upgraded to cover physio as well as massage, so from next week I’m opening up the diary and taking appointments

Physiotherapy can make sure a difference to your horse, whether it be regular maintenance MOT work, post surgery rehabilitation or keeping you competition horse in peak condition.

We work to assist in the healing of tissues which are damaged by musculoskeletal and / or neurological dysfunction. The main aims of physio are controlling pain, increasing range of motion and restoring function to the tissues.

This can be achieved a number of ways:

🔹 Manual Therapy (hands on)

🔹 Joint Mobilisation

🔹 Pulsed Electro Magnetic Therapy

🔹 Theraputic Ultrasound

🔹 Neuromuscular Electro Stimulation

🔹 Stretching / Range of Motion

🔹 Exercise Prescription

🔹 Rehabilitation

All this works in conjunction with your ongoing support team of Vets, farriers, saddle fitters, dentists etc

Anyone wishing to discuss their horses needs please feel free to PM me on here xx

09/06/2022

Thankfully this research has now been conducted. People like to put their horses on a water treadmill without thinking “why” they are actually doing in and what they are trying to achieve. They should be closely monitored by a physiotherapist whilst using one…. They can be a useful tool in certain circumstances but can cause injury in other circumstances….

**NEW WATER TREADMILL RESEARCH**

Great to work with an exciting group of researchers looking at the effect that water treadmill exercise has on equine locomotion.

Here is a new paper published in Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, titled “Effect of Water Depth on Limb and Back Kinematics in Horses Walking on a Treadmill”, authors: Carolyne Tranquille*, Jack Tacey, Victoria Walker Russell Mackechnie-Guire, Julie Ellis, Kathryn Nankervis, Richard Newton & Rachel Murray*.

For a limited time, this paper is available as Open Access using the link below. Additional papers are underway from this exciting area of research. Massive thanks to the Petplan Charitable Trust who funded this research.

*lead authors

https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fauthors.elsevier.com%2Fa%2F1fCJ52dbxqfItU&data=05%7C01%7C%7Cd3580f931ce94945f39408da47d4264f%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637901273752530540%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=RfQdB%2FJZ3GzRPaCbwp9S9qehTLhUau22hdWQG4j03SY%3D&reserved=0

10/03/2022

👩🏻‍🎓 My final theory unit results are in! 👩🏻‍🎓

Just my theory and practical exams to sit now in June and I will then🤞🏻😬 be a qualified Equine Physiotherapist 🐴🐎😍

It’s been a tough road of non stop learning but the end is in sight 💪🏻 Covid made it even more difficult to get through but it’s nearly done 👌

My essay writing skills seem to be improving 😂😂 as the units went on, never my strong point! Just need to try and remember all I’ve learnt along to way to sit my exams 😬🙈

21/02/2022

A sad but true story. See it everyday on Facebook!

Animal Health Issues!

15/02/2022

So very true!!

Fat streaking muscle in the equine

It’s not healthy to over feed horses but it’s so hard not to. I’m the first to give yummy hard feeds to my horse but… he is a skinny TB that needs every calorie he can get.

Why should we not over feed? I think it’s like us humans- we put on weight- not muscle but fat. Fat that we should use in the winter when food is scarce but but we don’t use it! Food is not scarce!

I read that fat horses are not healthy. Fat horses create big pressure on joints and I can totally see that in myself. When I put on weight my knees hurt. Loose the weight and I’m prancing again.

In this photo the horse was not particularly fat looking. He was a 13 year old pony with chronic laminitis. He was loved by his owner - too much- and I do understand. He had a huge cresty neck, full of fat, a apple shaped rear end that on post mortem was full of fat. And even his muscles were fat infiltrated. He really did not look fat but I’m pretty sure it helped his laminitis and metabolic syndrome to flare up and cause no end of issues.

My words- I’m learning about this. What’s your thoughts on this and how does obesity affect feet? Apart from the excess weight the feet have to support, does fat have a direct affect on feet?

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Grateful thanks to my Small Business Supporters. ❤️. Please help support them as they help to support me!

Melissa LaFlamme
Equine podiatrist and teacher
Quebec

Tiffani Radake
Owner at Hug Your Horse
US Hidalgo, Consultant
Illinois, US

19/01/2022

In OT school I had a professor thrill us (😉) with the phrase “proximal stability equals distal mobility” very often.

I had no idea how much value that phrase would really hold in my work, and I don’t even treat humans anymore. 😆

👉🏻Proximal - situated nearer to the center of the body

👈🏻Distal - situated away from the center of the body

If you’re not stable at your core, you don’t have much control over the movements far away from your core.

🏄‍♀️ If I’m on a surfboard, I’ll give you a terrible high five.

🖐🏻If I’m on concrete I’ll give you a fantastic high five.

The translation from what I see in horses is this:
Spine and core stability equals correct leg and foot placement.

If the spine is out of balance, both the nervous system and the soft tissue suffer.

The nerves exit the spinal cord and go to work for the rest of the body. If there’s a problem at the exit ramp, the rest of the nerve won’t be working correctly either.

The soft tissue gets tangled and torqued just by trying to protect its own spine. The tensegrity is compromised for the sake of protection.

Foot placement is the last of your horse’s priorities if they’re trying to stabilize their spine (that you’re sitting on) and core.

They might stumble or trip, they seem like they’re not listening.

🏄‍♀️ If you’re asking your horse to give you a high five while they’re on a surfboard, good luck.

I can accidentally land a high five every now and then from a surfboard too. But mainly I’m just trying to stay upright.

All correct movement comes from a balanced spine, supported by a strong core.

✍🏻 Proximal stability equals distal mobility.

20/11/2021

Interesting pictures!!

21/09/2021

🐾🐾 Jakey Update 🐾🐾

Today was Jake’s 4 week post surgery follow up consultation at Dovecote Veterinary Hospital in Derby with Neurology Surgeon Sara Longho 🐶

Whilst I’m very happy with Jake’s progress, it’s also nerve wracking awaiting the review from the professional 😬

Though, my worry wasn’t necessary as she was very very happy with his progress and even a little emotional to see him walking so well so soon 😍

She checked his deep pain response to make sure the very inner part of his spinal cord had feeling and could function, and he has his deep pain response 💪🏻

Over the last few days Jake has managed to:

👍 scratch his head with his back leg

👍 walk out easier and even try running

👍 pull back his legs away from me when doing range of motion stretches making them become more active stretches than passive stretches

👍 the ability to climb steps is become easier

👍 he has full awareness of all his hind end

👍 can shake his whole body from head to toe

👍 bowel and bladder function are now totally normal

With all these signs, it was really a given that he would have deep pain back 😀

The next step is to continue what we are doing, include some water treadmill sessions into his physio routine and review in another 4 weeks 😍

10/09/2021

I like this guy!!! 💪🏻💪🏻

Your horse’s piaffes have pfizzled. His slides have slid. His rollbacks have rolled back. His leads aren’t changing. Almost reflexively, someone will say, “Maybe he needs his hocks injected.” Maybe he does. But maybe it’s a lot more complicated than that. At least it should be. FIRST ASIDE...

31/08/2021

🐾🐾 Jakey update! 🐾🐾

We are 8 full days post Disc Extrusion operation and 5 days since he was released from hospital to come home 🐶

The first 36hrs were honestly… a total nightmare due to continuous issues with his urinary catheter coming out as he kept squashing it with his hind legs and pulling it out 🤦‍♀️. This meant a drive back down to the specialists at Dovecote Vet in Derby the day after his release followed by 2 nights of midnight trips to vets all over the North West due to a “lack of silicone” there is a shortage of catheters!! 🤷‍♀️🙈

Finally we got that issue sorted, then have spent plenty of time in the car going to daily physio sessions with the amazing Lisa Graham to get him treated with the INDIBA radio frequency machine to help with the inflammation at bruising on the surgery site 💪🏻

Alongside managing his bladder and bowel movements I’ve been spending hours doing numerous physio treatments including:

🔹 Red and Blue light phototherapy over the surgery incision site
🔹 Cryotherapy with ice packs
🔹 Neuro Muscular Electronic Stimulation to maintain muscle strength in his hind end musculature
🔹 Massage of all hind end muscles including stimulation of nerve endings from toe to pelvis and back again
🔹 joint compressions in all hind limbs to stimulate nerve endings within joints
🔹 Passive range of motion stretches to keep joints active and supple

As a result of this intensive work, we already have some twitching of his bum and tail area and knowledge of his bladder and bowel movements although he still cannot control them appropriately… yet 🤞🏻 We also have some resistance and downward pressure from his hind paws 🐾 and today he started “patterning” his gait behind and wants to weight bear on his left hind! 💪🏻

These are all positive signs and Jake in himself is like a totally normal boy, full of energy and playfulness as usual 🥰

Fingers crossed we keep making such good progress! 🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻🙏🏻🤞🏻

29/06/2021

Just landed at Original Equestrian ‘s dressage camp with instructors Matthew Burnett and Charlotte Smithwhite at AINTREE INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE ready to massage some lovely camp horses 🥰🥰

22/05/2021

From the horse’s mouth... actually the horse’s tongue

After my recent post regarding fitting a bit to the individual horses mouth, it has become clear that horse riders don’t understand the horse’s tongue. At all. The horse’s tongue is the key to everything. It can tell you what a horse is feeling and thinking, it can tell you how true a horse’s carriage is or can reveal tension that is limiting their performance.

The horse’s tongue is a huge bunch of muscle, like way bigger than you think. The last tooth is about level with the horse’s eye, and the tongue goes even further back than that. Just behind the bit, the tongue doubles in height to completely fill the mouth. The tongue connects, via a long line of interconnected muscles, all the way back to the hind legs. What happens with the horse’s tongue DIRECTLY affects the horse’s ability to use his hind legs.

Yet many many riders consider the tongue a nuisance and tie it away. Using drop nosebands, flashes, grackles, micklems, “anatomical” nosebands, cranks etc. Some use spoon bits (remember the tongue doubles in height behind the bit), while others actually tie the tongue down! You are missing a vital source of information that the horse is eager to give!

Why does a horse stick it’s tongue out? It is NOT bad manners and it is not a bit evasion, it’s a cry for help. When the tongue is in the mouth, it is short and fat. Any sharp points on the teeth can cause pain, and pressure from the bit is amplified. The horse’s immediate reaction is to stick their tongue out. This makes the tongue long and thin, reducing the pressure from the bit and any sharp teeth. If this is prevented using nosebands, even loose ones (if it’s below the level of the bit, it’s a problem, loose or not, consider leverage distance to the temparomandibular joint) then the horse will resort to pulling their tongue back by tensing it or even putting the tongue over the bit. A drop noseband will not stop this happening, you just can’t see it happening anymore.

When the tongue is pulled back, it causes tension all the way down the neck, along the back and into the hind legs. If the tongue is over the bit, the bit lies directly on the bars. The bars are knife-edge-sharp bone with a very thin layer of gum over the top. When the bit directly contacts the bars it is extremely painful and horses will react very strongly, sometimes rearing or ditching the rider. This is not naughty behaviour, it is pain. The horse is creating pain trying to avoid pain, they can’t win and they can’t vocalise this. No matter how hard they try.

Tension in the tongue isn’t only caused by poorly managed teeth and poorly fitted bits however. The outline a horse is worked in also affects the tongue’s tension. Tuck your chin up and in, feel how large your tongue feels. Hold it there for a while and the back of your tongue will begin to ache. Now open your mouth and stick your tongue out. Sure it’s not comfortable, but it’s a relief from that tension. This happens in the horse too, but on a much larger scale. Anything that makes the horse carry itself like this (over bent, nose behind the vertical) will cause tongue issues. Whether that be poor riding, back pain or subtle hind limb lameness. This reaction is not limited to a bit, an overbent horse in a bitless bridle will still have a restricted tongue as soon as the head moves behind the vertical. Looking at it the other way around, most have heard of bridle lameness, this is when the tension in the tongue actually causes a visible lameness.

There is a reason why having the tongue out is seen as a bad thing in dressage, and it’s not because it’s bad manners. It’s because it highlights tension or poor training. The lazy solution seems to be, tie the mouth shut. Personally I believe all nosebands below the bit should be banned for dressage and 2 fingers should comfortably be placed under the bridge of the nose of a cavesson. That would sort the wheat from the chaff.

To summarise, make sure your horse’s teeth have been checked by a qualified EDT or dental trained vet, make sure your bit fits the anatomy of your individual horse, ride with a loose noseband that does not sit below the bit, make sure your horse is working correctly over their top line, truly engaged and swinging over their backs. Then your horse will not feel the need to stick their tongues out.

As a side note, the tongue is a symptom and not a problem in itself. Do not allow anyone to mess with your horse’s tongue. The trend of releasing the Hyoid apparatus using the tongue is not only dangerous but a load of BS. Do not fall for it.

Always remember, dentistry is basic care NOT a luxury.

12/02/2021

🌟 Physio Results so far! 🌟

It’s been a hard slog for the past 2 years but I’m slowly turning into a geek 🤓🤓

Loving every minute of my Veterinary Physiotherapy course and even though I’m not very academic 🤨 and was clearly pants at writing essays 🙈 I’ve worked really hard to get my Unit 1 & 2 results through, it’s finally starting to feel a little easier! 🤞🏻 💪🏻

It really is an all round, holistic approach to treating animals, looking at everything from diet, farriery, exercise programs, fitness, rehabilitation, dentistry, saddlery etc to make sure you able to help the horse. It’s so nice to be able to make them more comfortable after a treatment.

Only Unit 3, my theory and practical exams and a 10,000 dissertation to complete and I can get qualified.... not much to do then! 🤣

02/10/2020

Always make sure you have bridged a gap over the spine to stop any impingement

01/10/2020

A great report on Sue Dyson’s Pain Ethogram! Well worth a read 👀👌

A study led by Dr. Sue Dyson found signs of lameness in 73% of horses' riders identified as sound. Also, nearly 50% of the horse’s saddles showed signs of poor fit.