Equi VP

Equi VP Equine Veterinary Physiotherapist, Certified MagnaWave Practitioner & Rider based in Devon + Cornwall
(4)

🐴 Taking on new riding work 🐴Calm, confident & quiet lightweight rider looking to take on one more horse for exercising ...
06/07/2024

🐴 Taking on new riding work 🐴

Calm, confident & quiet lightweight rider looking to take on one more horse for exercising in Plymouth & the surrounding areas

Services include:
• Hacking - specialising in improving horse confidence when hacking solo but am also happy to hack out with owners if they have more than one horse
• Carrying out rehabilitation programmes
• Schooling - experience from newly-backed to schoolmasters
• Groundwork - including long lining and lunging

A little about me:
• Fully insured & have own transport
• 5ft7 & 54kgs so able to ride any horses over 14hh
• Fully qualified BSc(Hons) veterinary physiotherapist able to train from an anatomical perspective to support the horse’s conformation and posture to promote longevity in their ridden career

To enquire, feel free to pop me a message or text/Whatsapp 07450616297

Multiple references available upon request

As I’m currently in the process of updating the testimonial section of my website it would be very much appreciated if a...
12/06/2024

As I’m currently in the process of updating the testimonial section of my website it would be very much appreciated if any existing clients, who feel they would be happy to do so, would be prepared to write a review. This can be done on the review section of my page or by sending me an email or message with your review which may be featured on my website and/or social media pages.

Testimonials may be about the riding/training aspect of my work, the veterinary physiotherapy/massage therapy side, or both.

Also I’d like to add a little thank you to everyone who has supported my business to date, I wouldn’t be able to do the work that I do without the support of each and every one of you

📸 Maia Paige Visual

A few client horses from the past week🐴I’m trying to get better at taking more photos when I’m out and about - it was a ...
01/05/2024

A few client horses from the past week🐴

I’m trying to get better at taking more photos when I’m out and about - it was a New Years resolution of mine and we all know how those go 🤣

Identifying asymmetriesMost riders will be aware of their horses having a weaker rein to work on. They might be less fle...
17/04/2024

Identifying asymmetries

Most riders will be aware of their horses having a weaker rein to work on. They might be less flexible to turn to the right vs left, for example.

Being able to also pick out asymmetries when your horse is stood still can help you to target and minimise L vs R differences which may be limiting your horse’s performance or may even indicate an underlying pathology.

One commonly seen asymmetry is: high/low in the hooves.

In the pair shown in the second photo, the right forelimb hoof bulbs are more upright and contracted than the wider & lower bulbs of the left hoof. The right hoof in this pair is known as a ‘club foot’ as it also has a steeper hoof angle, more concave sole & a smaller weight bearing surface area than the left.

In this pair, the left fore is likely to have greater forward swing of the stride and increased weight bearing than the right fore. This horse is also likely to be left canter dominant and bring their left fore forwards more frequently when grazing.

Due to the asymmetrical balance through hooves which are high/low, the forces on the affected horse’s limbs will be uneven. This can affect muscle engagement (especially if the cause of the asymmetry is due to poor posture or injury compensation), ground reaction force dissipation & even increase injury risk.

One pattern seen in cases with a high/low asymmetry is increased muscle mass in one forelimb compared to the other. This difference in shoulder muscle mass, in particular, can start to push the saddle to sit over to one side which in turn can lead to the development of asymmetry in the rider.

To address an asymmetry in your horse, there are a huge range of techniques & professionals which may be of use. These include training exercises (such as weight shifts), farriery, saddle checks, chiropractors, physiotherapists & veterinary work. The route you take with your horse will depend on the root cause of an asymmetry & the consequential compensatory patterns.

If you have identified an asymmetry in your horse & would like to book a physiotherapy session for them, contact me to book an appointment:
💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450 616297

A reminder that the clocks go forward tonight marking the start of lighter evenings & hopefully some drier weather 🤞☔️
30/03/2024

A reminder that the clocks go forward tonight marking the start of lighter evenings & hopefully some drier weather 🤞☔️

Wotsit & Illusion enjoying their routine physiotherapy sessions yesterday 🐴With the competition season just beginning it...
06/03/2024

Wotsit & Illusion enjoying their routine physiotherapy sessions yesterday 🐴

With the competition season just beginning it is a good idea to get your horse checked by a veterinary physiotherapist to ensure they are able to perform at their optimum for the best results.

If you would like to book a veterinary physiotherapy session for your horse, pop me a message or check out my website for more information

💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450616297

Why is poll pain/tension seen so frequently in horses?I get asked this a lot as it’s a very common finding during a vete...
26/02/2024

Why is poll pain/tension seen so frequently in horses?

I get asked this a lot as it’s a very common finding during a veterinary physiotherapy assessment so though I’d shed some thoughts on this topic:

Poll tension may either be primary or secondary.

Primary pain and tension are caused by direct trauma to the poll itself. This is most commonly caused by a pull-back injury when the horse is tied up. An ill-fitting or too-tight bridle headpiece can also cause primary poll pain.

Secondary pain and tension is the more complex category due to the huge range of causes. Causes can range from lameness, back pain, sacroiliac dysfunction, chronic asymmetry, poor ridden posture, dentistry issues etc.

The reason for such a large range of causes is all down to anatomy.

The poll is the junction between the head and neck (and therefore body) of the horse. As a result, any pain or dysfunction in the horse’s body which results in the development of channels of soft tissue tension, or altered postural or movement patterns will impact the poll.

To expand on the anatomical connections a bit further, the poll is the first attachment site of the extensor chain of muscles which runs along the topline of the horse’s neck and back, along the top of the pelvis, into the tail and down the back of the hindlimb. Balance between the flexor and extensor muscle chains is required for good posture and harmony in the musculoskeletal system. As soon as the balance is tipped for any reason, channels of tension can develop within the body.

How can you tell if your horse has poll pain/tension? Behavioural indicators may include:
▪️Head tossing/shaking
▪️Becoming difficult to bridle
▪️Becoming head shy around the poll area
▪️Inconsistent contact or travelling around in a high head carriage when ridden
▪️Uneven rein tension
▪️Becoming difficult to turn in one or both directions

💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450 616297

Have you ever thought about your horse’s post-exercise routine?Human athletes are encouraged to stretch after exercise t...
09/02/2024

Have you ever thought about your horse’s post-exercise routine?

Human athletes are encouraged to stretch after exercise to promote recovery & reduce muscle soreness and stiffness.

Incorporating carrot stretches into your horse’s post-exercise routine 3-5 x per week has been linked to improvements in neck range of motion, top line muscle quality and balance & core strength, with significant improvements being seen in as little as 2 weeks in some cases.

Adding forelimb & hindlimb stretches post-exercise a few times a week has been associated with improvements in joint health & range of motion, stride length, gait expression, muscle flexibility & balance.

Stretching guidelines:
✖️Never stretch a cold muscle, the optimal time to perform stretches is post-exercise when the muscles are warm
✔️ Hold stretches for at least 7 seconds to override the stretch reflex
✔️ Repeat stretches 2-3 times for optimal results
✔️ Always use slow & controlled movements when performing your horse’s stretches & don’t go beyond their comfortable range of motion
✔️ Ask for advice on how to perform stretches from your trusted equine professionals if you are unsure

💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]

📸

With this very cold, wintery weather please allow a little extra time when warming up & cooling down your horses during ...
12/01/2024

With this very cold, wintery weather please allow a little extra time when warming up & cooling down your horses during exercise.

Colder temperatures increase the risk of soft tissue injury as it makes them vulnerable to overstretch, and even tearing injuries, due to being stiffer and less flexible when cold.

Also, the fluid found in joints becomes tougher in lower temperatures resulting in reduced joint mobility & a reduction in the efficiency of the dispersion of concussive forces through the limb when the hoof contacts the ground.

An additional few laps of the arena in walk at the start and end of an exercise session could make a huge difference to your horse, especially if they have a chronic condition such as osteoarthritis, are an older horse, or they have previously had a tendon and/or ligament pathology 🐴

💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]

📸 by

Lush day out in the winter sunshine treating new & familiar faces in West Cornwall yesterday 🐴💻 www.equivp.co.uk📧 equivp...
08/01/2024

Lush day out in the winter sunshine treating new & familiar faces in West Cornwall yesterday 🐴

💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450 616297

30/12/2023

MagnaWave PEMF ⚡

MagnaWave is a form of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy which has a range of benefits including:
✔️ Decreases inflammation
✔️ Increases circulation & lymph flow
✔️ Increases oxygen uptake
✔️ Decreases pain
✔️ Decreases tension
✔️ Increases ATP (energy) production
✔️ Improves intercellular communication therefore improving tissue function
✔️ Enhances muscle, tendon, ligament, nerve & bone repair

Due to its wide range of benefits MagnaWave PEMF can be used to improve the outcome in a range of cases including:
🔺 Osteoarthritis
🔺 Muscle, tendon, ligament, bone & nerve injuries
🔺 Soft tissue tension
🔺 Sacroiliac joint pain
🔺 Laminitis
🔺 Abscesses
🔺 Kissing spines
🔺 + much more

If you are interested in booking a full body MagnaWave PEMF session or a veterinary physiotherapy session with targeted MagnaWave PEMF for your horse, get in touch with me to book an appointment:
💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450 616297

📷 by Maia Paige Visual

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 🎄
23/12/2023

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year 🎄

Identifying good dynamic posture 🐴There is more than one type of outline that a horse can work in. These include numerou...
18/12/2023

Identifying good dynamic posture 🐴

There is more than one type of outline that a horse can work in. These include numerous head & neck positions ranging from a long and low posture to a neutral position to an advanced collected posture, with several variations in between.

The dynamic postures you adopt in your horse’s training should be suitable for their age, discipline, conformation & level of training. Please ask your veterinary and/or teaching professionals for advice if you are unsure.

To increase topline strength & muscle mass, using a combination of suitable outlines is recommended as this variety increases suppleness & helps to prevent tension accumulation.

The foundation for a good dynamic posture is when the rider feels the horse reaching into a symmetrical, elastic contact, engaging their hindquarters and lifting over their back (seen in photos 1/2 & 5/6). In this posture the horse has optimal ability to carry their rider whilst remaining supple, engaged & balanced.

A couple of things to look out for that are characteristics of good ridden posture:

✔️U-shape between the head & neck not a V-shape – V-shape is a sign of tension and has been linked to impaired respiration (shown in pics 3/4 & 7/8)

✔️Parallel forelimb forearm & diagonal hindlimb cannon bone in trot – sign of symmetry between the spinal muscle chains. Deficit of this characteristic is seen in pics 3/4 & 7/8

✔️Visible outline of the abdominal muscles showing their engagement (pic 1/2)

✔️Lumbar angle tending to the horizontal – shows lifting through the back, a steep slope behind the saddle is a sign of a hollow or weak back (seen in pic 3/4)

The last slide shows some examples of good dynamic posture in a range of outlines with and without tack – see if you can pick out the postural characteristics in these horses which identify them as having good posture.

💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]

Is your horse showing signs of back pain?Do they react negatively to their saddle and/or girth?Do they try to bite when ...
23/11/2023

Is your horse showing signs of back pain?

Do they react negatively to their saddle and/or girth?
Do they try to bite when you brush their back?
Do they pin their ears & throw their head up when you put a rug on them?
Do they refuse to stand still at the mounting block?
Have they recently become resistant to turn left or right or accept a rein contact?

If the answer to one or more of the above questions is yes then please pop me a message or email to enquire about booking a veterinary physiotherapy session 🐴

www.equivp.co.uk
[email protected]



Photo by

Travelled up to North Devon today to see the lovely Phoebe & Sasha who have been receiving regular veterinary physiother...
10/09/2023

Travelled up to North Devon today to see the lovely Phoebe & Sasha who have been receiving regular veterinary physiotherapy with MagnaWave PEMF sessions since May 🐴

If you are interested in finding out more about MagnaWave PEMF or would like to enquire about booking an appointment for your horse please don’t hesitate to get in contact:
💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450616297

JJ enjoying his poll release massage this morning 🐴
21/08/2023

JJ enjoying his poll release massage this morning 🐴

*Taking on new clients🐴*Fully insured BSc (Hons) Veterinary Physiotherapist, member of the Institute of Registered Veter...
14/08/2023

*Taking on new clients🐴*

Fully insured BSc (Hons) Veterinary Physiotherapist, member of the Institute of Registered Veterinary and Animal Physiotherapists (IRVAP (VP)), and the only Certified MagnaWave Practitioner in the UK, offering equine Veterinary Physiotherapy, Massage Therapy and MagnaWave PEMF services.

Primarily offering appointments for horses throughout Devon & Cornwall but am willing to travel further afield if there is demand for this.

For more information about Veterinary Physiotherapy and MagnaWave PEMF, or to enquire about an appointment for your horse, please visit www.equivp.co.uk.

You can also find me on:
• Instagram:
• Email: [email protected]

Had the absolute pleasure of riding one of my client’s horses - the gorgeous Waffles - in a dressage lesson with  in the...
10/07/2023

Had the absolute pleasure of riding one of my client’s horses - the gorgeous Waffles - in a dressage lesson with in the sunshine yesterday ☀️

Waffles can be seen a few posts back enjoying a massage therapy treatment 🐴

The science behind raised walk poles 🐴General benefits include improving muscular mass and strength, posture, balance, j...
17/03/2023

The science behind raised walk poles 🐴

General benefits include improving muscular mass and strength, posture, balance, joint range of motion and coordination, but HOW?

Firstly, the height of the raised poles encourages the horse to lift their limbs higher to clear the poles. Lifting their limb higher = increased joint flexion in the limb = increased joint ROM.

Lifting a limb higher to clear the poles also results in rib elevator muscles being recruited (including the abdominals) = the ribs lift up and away from the raised limb = more weight shifts to the limbs remaining on the ground = rib and back stabiliser muscles engage to support this weight transfer = increased core muscle strength and balance.

Incorporating raised walk poles into a horse’s exercise routine has also been linked to improvements in dynamic posture. Good posture is achieved when harmony is present between the muscle chains. Over raised walk poles:
▪️The flexor chain is engaged when the horse lifts their limb and raises their back and ribs over the raised poles
▪️The extensor chain is recruited to propel the body forwards over the poles
▪️Targeting both the flexor and extensor chains improves overall posture and coordination.

Finally, walking over raised poles helps to improve coordination and proprioception as the poles are the equivalent of an obstacle in the horse’s path which requires the horse to alter their movement pattern to negotiate them.

A few tips on incorporating raised walk poles in your horses routine:
▪️Ensure they are competent and confident with walking over ground poles first
▪️Begin with only one pole in the set raised when you first do the exercise - remember to always raise the last pole first
▪️Check with your physiotherapist or vet if you are unsure whether this exercise is suitable for your horse

Did you know that EquiVP is the only certified MagnaWave PEMF practitioner in the UK?MagnaWave treatments are included a...
24/11/2022

Did you know that EquiVP is the only certified MagnaWave PEMF practitioner in the UK?

MagnaWave treatments are included as part of my Veterinary Physiotherapy sessions and benefit a range of conditions ranging from muscle tension to pathologies including kissing spines, osteoarthritis, tendinopathies and much more!

If you are interested in MagnaWave PEMF and want to find out more, feel free to message me with any questions or to book a treatment for your horse 🐴

The weather has been pretty horrendous here in Plymouth today which coincided nicely with one of my admin days ☔️Whilst ...
21/11/2022

The weather has been pretty horrendous here in Plymouth today which coincided nicely with one of my admin days ☔️

Whilst I was planning content for the next few weeks I came across this series of photos of the rather curious Alfie checking out his treatment notes during one of his physiotherapy sessions 🥰

If you are interested in booking a Veterinary Physiotherapy or Massage Therapy session for your horse please contact me on:
💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450616297

* Taking on new clients 🐴 *BSc (Hons) Veterinary Physiotherapist and Certified MagnaWave Practitioner based in North Ply...
10/11/2022

* Taking on new clients 🐴 *

BSc (Hons) Veterinary Physiotherapist and Certified MagnaWave Practitioner based in North Plymouth offering equine veterinary physiotherapy, massage therapy and MagnaWave PEMF services throughout Devon and Cornwall.

Services and prices:
▪️ Veterinary Physiotherapy session 1-1.5hr with electrotherapy treatment £45
▪️ Massage therapy session 45mins £30

In addition to daytime slots, weekend and evening appointments are also available, if preferred, although availability is limited throughout November, but I do have a few spaces remaining.

Get in touch to find out more information or to book an appointment for your horse:
💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450 616297
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Instagram equi_vp

A reminder that, although daylight hours are growing shorter as autumn progresses into winter, morning and evening physi...
31/10/2022

A reminder that, although daylight hours are growing shorter as autumn progresses into winter, morning and evening physiotherapy and massage therapy appointments are available between 7am-8pm, providing your yard has a well-lit area for musculoskeletal assessments 🌅

To enquire about making an appointment for your horse(s) please fill out the appointment request form on my website or, alternatively, contact me on:

📧 [email protected]
📞 07450 616297
💻 www.equivp.co.uk

In an effort to make physiotherapy treatments more accessible to every horse and owner I am delighted to be able to add ...
21/10/2022

In an effort to make physiotherapy treatments more accessible to every horse and owner I am delighted to be able to add equine massage therapy sessions to EquiVP’s services.

The sessions will involve a discussion with the owner regarding the horse’s clinical history then a musculoskeletal assessment by the physiotherapist followed by manual therapy treatment. Treatments may include massage, acupressure, stretches and myofascial release.

Sessions will last approximately 45 minutes and may be easily fitted around owner commitments with evening and weekend appointments available.

Book a massage therapy session before 1st January 2023 for an early bird price of £30.

For more information, or to book an appointment, please check out my website or contact me on my email or via my social media pages.

Danny, who is a semi-retired advanced medium-level dressage schoolmaster with bilateral hock osteoarthritis, is looking ...
17/10/2022

Danny, who is a semi-retired advanced medium-level dressage schoolmaster with bilateral hock osteoarthritis, is looking and feeling on great form at the moment following regular veterinary physiotherapy sessions 🐴

If you think your horse may benefit from veterinary physiotherapist please check out my website or feel free to contact me with any questions or queries on:
💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450616297

Long lining is a great way to incorporate variety into your horse’s exercise routine.As it is a relatively low impact ac...
27/08/2022

Long lining is a great way to incorporate variety into your horse’s exercise routine.
As it is a relatively low impact activity it is often recruited in rehabilitation plans and in the early stages of bringing a horse back into work after time off to aid them in their journey to returning to optimal musculoskeletal condition.

Benefits of long lining are not only physical - improved straightness, symmetry, coordination, posture and muscle mass and strength to name a few! - but also mental with the horse gaining confidence as an individual, especially when long lining outside of the arena.

💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450 616297

You may have noticed that I have been rather quiet on this account over the past couple of weeks. This is because the op...
12/04/2022

You may have noticed that I have been rather quiet on this account over the past couple of weeks. This is because the opportunity came up to work at a private Dressage yard on the beautiful Cornish Coast so it has been a very busy few weeks packing up and moving to Cornwall and starting my new job.

However, I am now in a position where I can ‘re-launch’ EquiVP.

Due to working a full-time job, my availability is now limited to weekday evenings for clients within 20 miles of Tregony and weekends for clients throughout Devon and Cornwall. For up to two weekends a month I will be based in Plymouth as this is where the majority of my client base is located, however, session spaces are limited so I’d recommend booking in a physiotherapy or MagnaWave session in advance to avoid missing out.

My contact details:

07450 616297 (please note that the best way to contact me if you can’t get hold of me on my mobile is through my social media pages)

[email protected]

Social media pages on Facebook and Instagram

www.equivp.co.uk

Thank you to everyone for your patience during this time and I look forward to working with you all again very soon!

Long and low posture is a great way to warm up and cool down our horses in ridden sessions but what makes it so benefici...
21/02/2022

Long and low posture is a great way to warm up and cool down our horses in ridden sessions but what makes it so beneficial?

The answer is lots! Here is a list of the benefits of long and low posture:
✔️ Increases hindlimb tracking
✔️ Improves hindquarter engagement
✔️ Increases hip flexion
✔️ Raises the back
✔️ Reduces poll tension
✔️ Stretches out the nuchal ligament
✔️ Stretches out neck and back musculature
✔️ Improves balance
✔️ Improves suppleness

The photos in this post show my client and her lovely cob Soldier who have been performing long and low work as part of their ridden routine for the past 4 weeks. Over this period Soldier has shown increased hindlimb stride length, increased suppleness over his back and decreased poll tension.

As this exercise is very simple and easy to perform yet has numerous benefits, I recommend it to every rider to include in their ridden sessions. No matter if you have a young horse starting out training or a grand prix horse, this exercise can significantly improve their dynamic posture and, as a result, their longevity.

💻 www.equivp.co.uk
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450 616297

Does your horse’s mane sit partly on one side no matter how many times you try and train it to sit neatly?Have you ever ...
14/02/2022

Does your horse’s mane sit partly on one side no matter how many times you try and train it to sit neatly?

Have you ever wondered why it keeps happening?

It could be due to a myofascial asymmetry.

Let’s say the muscles on the left-hand side of the neck and shoulder are working harder than their counterparts on the right.

Muscles working significantly harder = increased tension within the muscle.

In this example the tension would be greater in the left side of the neck and shoulder so the hairs of the mane would be pulled to the left.

Asymmetry promotes asymmetry, so differences in the left and right sides of the neck may have formed as a result of asymmetries elsewhere or may be the cause of further asymmetries. Therefore, it’s a good idea to consult your horse’s physio as soon as you identify any imbalances or differences in your horse’s posture or way of going as catching them early = more efficient resolution.

As I have been awarded with a Certified MagnaWave Practitioner accreditation, I am delighted to announce that EquiVP is ...
11/02/2022

As I have been awarded with a Certified MagnaWave Practitioner accreditation, I am delighted to announce that EquiVP is able to offer MagnaWave pulsed electromagnetic field therapy (PEMFT) treatments.

By helping to increase the rate at which cells create ATP (energy), MagnaWave can aid in correcting musculoskeletal dysfunction at cellular level. It does this by contributing towards restoring cell function and improving intercellular communication to promote overall tissue health.

Benefits of MagnaWave PEMFT treatment include (but are not limited to):
✅ Decreased pain and tension
✅ Decreased inflammation
✅ Decreased toxin/cellular waste build up
✅ Decreased exercise recovery time
✅ Increased circulation
✅ Increased bone density
✅ Increased muscle fibre quality
✅ Improved immune response

MagnaWave is indicated for a wide variety of conditions from muscular trigger points to laminitis to sacroiliac dysfunction and is usually a well-accepted treatment in horses due to its huge range of benefits.

If you think your horse could benefit from MagnaWave treatment, please get in touch to arrange an appointment.
📧 [email protected]
📞 07450 616297

(Please be aware that this treatment does require access to mains electricity)

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