Performance Animal Physiotherapy

30/09/2024

Lots of clients in the last few weeks have been trying out the latest edition to my Physiotherapy assessments .. objective gait analysis.

New AI gait monitoring recorded through your iPhone measures any asymmetries at trot for both straight lines and on the lunge.

This data is invaluable for assessing your horses normal gait patterns, monitoring for any changes, measuring the effects of treatments and adapting rehab programs.

All the data and videos are easily shared between interested parties and you can even record videos for analysis yourself through the app for remote monitoring as often as you’d like.

Interested? Get in touch to book your horses physio assessment now 📞

24/09/2024

14/08/2024

Good luck to Bruno and Aurora heading up to the British TREC champs in Scotland this weekend!

27/07/2024

Wishing everyone the best of luck at the Paris Olympics as it gets underway today but especially to my two clients Sofia Sjoborg Eventing and Rafa Losano R&A equestrian representing their countries in eventing. Good luck to the whole Swedish 🇸🇪 and Brazilian 🇧🇷 teams!

Sad not to be out in Paris this time supporting them but I've been working with both these riders for many years now and prep started months (years!) ago in anticipation for this event. Sending off these two horses in the best condition possible is something I'm very proud of! What ever the result, just getting there is a huge achievement in itself!

IRVAP Indiba Animal Health Animal Therapy Magazine

05/07/2024

Getting this asked a lot recently as new hay has been made. If in doubt ask the farmer the dry matter percentage and get it tested yourself.
We as horse owners often worry about grams of ingredients in the bags of food we feed but who tests their hay/haylage and grass to find out the nutrients and levels if contains? Bearing in mind this usually makes up the majority of your horses diet!

WHEN IS NEW HAY AND HAYLAGE SAFE TO FEED?

Q: I’ve been told I can’t feed this year’s hay until the winter, and also I’d like to know how long I need to leave haylage before it’s safe to feed?

A: New hay is ready to feed almost straight away IF it is dry enough (dry matter of over 88%) when made. Hay is traditionally left for a few weeks to 'cure' especially in the UK due to unreliable weather often resulting in a less than ideal dry matter i.e. too high a moisture content. This moisture content can lead to some microbial activity after baling, making it unsafe to feed straight away. If in doubt, leave new hay for 4-6 weeks.

Haylage is wilted and wrapped when it has a higher moisture content than hay, which leads to a fermentation of the carbohydrates in the grass. This process makes the pH (acid/alkaline balance) of the grass drop a little, which eventually causes the fermentation to cease. Once this fermentation has finished, the haylage is safe to feed. How long that process takes will vary according to the carbs and moisture content of the grass, but a safe guide is 6 weeks. Never feed haylage whist it is still fermenting.

Feel free to share!
🐴🍏🟨🎋

29/05/2024

The performance of top equine athletes is the number one concern of any vet, especially during the most important events of the season! 🏇

INDIBA is your most trusted partner to help see your horse patients through a tough year, giving you a vital rehabilitation solution that uses radiofrequency to stimulate healing, reduce pain and inflammation as well as promote faster return to training.

The precise frequency of 448kHz is both biostimulating, enhancing cellular metabolism, and it has thermal plus sub-thermal effects to help improve tissue repair, pain management and circulation. With over 400 in vitro and clinical publications on the Indiba radiofrequency devices, no other medical device comes close to the level of safety and clinical evidence. In addition to this, it can also be used with most other therapies without any limitation on the number of treatments.

Enhance your rehabilitation services with INDIBA radiofrequency today! 🔗https://bit.ly/INDIBA_Radiofrequency

08/05/2024

It's Badminton week!
In my opinion one of the most exciting weeks of the year.
Having attended as a spectator nearly every year as far back as I can remember, to be able to work 'behind the scenes' was merely a dream. To now call that dream a reality 5 times over is still surreal.

My first taste of working at Badminton was actually on the HorseHealth trade stand, hard work but great fun. I went in to do a full season with the HorseHeath/Le Mieux team doing all the major events in the UK and Ireland.

Whilst freelance grooming when studying to be an equine physio and establishing my business I was lucky enough to be asked to groom several times looking after the lovely Fernando and Hugo.

Then came the first time solely as a physiotherapist supporting my clients, Dwight in the 5* and Puzzle contesting the grassroots championship.
I can safely say it's super nerve-racking watching your clients pride and joy heading out the start box knowing how much it has taken to get a horse to this level, but the relief seeing them come safely back over that finish line is worth it.

No horses this year at Badminton, with clients preparing for another big event this year just across the pond 🇫🇷🏅 but wishing the best of luck to each and every rider and horse competing, and to the whole support team cheering them on every step of the way. 🍀🤞🏆

.en
.mallett

07/05/2024

17/04/2024

IRVAP membership renewed for another year 🎉

When choosing a physiotherapist for your animal it's so important to check they are appropriately qualified and insured. If the therapist is registered with a governing body such as IRVAP, NAVP, or ACPAT, you can be assured that they are.

As an IRVAP member you can be assured that we:

✅ Have qualified via a recognised accredited training programme at degree level.
✅ Carry appropriate professional and public liability insurance.
✅ Work in accordance with current legislation alongside your veterinary surgeon.
✅ Work within a professional code of conduct and ethics.
✅ Continually maintain and enhance our skills and knowledge by completing regular CPD.

17/04/2024

I am joining up with Eleanor Martin from All in the Country to provide a series of masterclasses throughout the summer starting with a plaiting clinic on Monday 29th April at a yard near Lechlade, Glos.

Let us know if you'd like to join and also comment with any suggestions of topics you'd like covered over the series.

*** Plaiting Clinic ***

After the success of last year’s clinics - we are back for 2024 with the first of a series. Come and learn how to turn your horse or pony out correctly for any discipline. Eleanor from All in the Country and Kimberley from Performance Animal Physiotherapy have joined forces and bring a wealth of experience and knowledge with them.

ABOUT ELEANOR: I was a professional groom and rider for many years in both England and Wales, and have always taken huge pride in making all horses and ponies in my care look and feel their best. From dressage horses, eventers and hunters, correct turnout is something I’m extremely passionate about. I have shown hunters and Welsh Section Ds to county level as well as judging a range of classes over the years, so am clued up with all types of horse and pony. I now teach and mentor a wonderful group of riders, helping to plan and prepare their training and competition schedules.

ABOUT KIM: I am an equine physiotherapist specialising in performance horses, as well as a former freelance groom and event rider. I have been lucky enough to travel around the world with my work across the disciplines at 5*s, European, World and Olympic Games providing the ultimate package of horse care in grooming and therapy. My 15+ years in the equine industry has given me vast experience, knowledge and tips of the trade in presenting and managing horses of all levels at home and competitions.

The evening will include:

✅ Why do we plait?
✅ The best plaits for each discipline
✅ How to improve your horses neck with plaits
✅ Plaiting with threads and bands
✅ Tail plaiting
✅ Mane and Tail pulling
✅ Trimming
✅ Correct tack and turnout for different disciplines

Everything will be provided, including the equine models.

£25 per person - held near Lechlade, Gloucestershire.

We will be running a series of informative evenings across the spring and summer, covering a wide range of topics to make sure you and your horses are fit, ready and prepared for the competition season.

18/03/2024

Rachel Greetham, the British team’s equine veterinary physiotherapist, shares her top tops for cooling down your horse after riding

14/01/2024

PAP is opening up two new sponsorship opportunities for riders in Oxfordshire and surrounding counties (within 30 miles of Faringdon). Open to new and current clients.

We love to support riders of all levels and have two categories of sponsorship available for 2024 - Elite Yard and Amateur Rider.

Why join Team PAP?
PAP has a wealth of experience supporting riders and their horses to the highest level. FEI accredited, Kim has worked at Olympic, World and European Games, and at events up to 5*. Excitingly, PAP already has two Elite supported riders qualified for the Paris Olympic Games 2024.

PAP is also passionate about supporting rehabilitation of ailments and general maintenance of horses and ponies. Extensive knowledge and experience with a hands-on approach is used to assess and formulate a plan for each horse.
Kim is also an INDIBA certified practitioner, utilising groundbreaking radiofrequency treatments to enhance healing and improve soft tissue and joint function.

The Elite Yard Package
Designed to support professional competition yards with treatments available to all horses including liveries if applicable. Bespoke plans around competition aims and support at events where possible.
For riders competing at 3* level or discipline equivalent and above.

The Amateur Rider Package
For the one or two horse owner not making a living out of horses. Open to riders of all levels and disciplines. Does not have to be competitive and can be non-ridden or currently in rehabilitation.

Both sponsorship packages include;
- Unlimited discounted Physiotherapy sessions for a whole year
- Individual reviews and bespoke plans to support your aims and ambitions
- Free physio equipment rental when available
- Free Equine Training Bands system
- Branded apparel
- Support 365 days a year and priority booking.

What can you offer us in return?
We're not looking for someone who has the most followers, we want passionate riders who care about their horses.
> Is building a relationship with your supporters important so you can support them back?
> Do you have realistic aims and ambitions, and happy to share your journey, the good and the bad?
> Can you help create content (no experience necessary) and happy to be photographed/videoed?
> Can you share your own training or stable management tips?
> Will you take pride in representing PAP both online and in person with the wider community?

To apply for either sponsorship package click on the link below and fill out the form.
https://www.performance-animal-physiotherapy.co.uk/sponsorship

Comment below if you've applied and don't forget to share and tag others who might be interested. (Here's also a chance for us to see how you may promote us!).

Entries close end of January :)

14/01/2024

Where do we cover?

PAP is based in Faringdon, Oxon and covers about an hour radius from this most weeks.

Single journeys to the extremities of this map may incure a mileage charge.

Yard visits out of area can be arranged.

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas everyone

20/11/2023

It's a common question asking for help reading and understanding your horses scans.
Here's a great diagram to help you work out what your looking at.

Ever wonder what the vet is looking at on the ultrasound?

Check out this mini-guide to ultrasonography of the equine distal limb!

06/11/2023

Do you know how often you should get your saddle checked? 🤔

It varies for every situation but it should always be checked at least every 6 months. Some will need checking more often, depending on factors such as:
♦️ Workload
♦️ Age
♦️ Diet
♦️ Injury/rehab
♦️ Change of routine
♦️ New saddle
♦️ And many more!

Horses change shape constantly so it is imperative the saddle is checked and adjusted as necessary to accommodate these shape changes before any discomfort or damage is caused.

05/11/2023

Check out our latest newsletter and help PAP out with a new proposal!

Hello to everybody, and a special welcome to team PAP for lots of new clients joining recently from a couple of local physiotherapists sad relocations.

24/10/2023

23/08/2022

Huge congratulations to Sofia and Belle being selected for the World Eventing Champs 🎉🍾🏆

12/07/2022

For those who feed YuMove amazon have a deal on until tomorrow! Both Equine and canine range.
Remember if you shop with Amazon go through smile.amazon.co.uk/ so they donate a percentage of every sale to your chosen charity at not cost to you.

21/06/2022

The fact that our technology works in a closed circuit (monopolar) is the key to reaching deep structures without being invasive. This is very useful in cases of:

- Deep pain in the back or neck
- Sacroiliac joint disease
- Improvement of tissue elasticity and range of motion of large muscle groups

Our experience says so and the experts say so too. Here is an interesting article about it:
shorturl.at/dlsGI

18/06/2022

Busting those myths about how best to cool a horse.

Its quite simple, apply as cold water as possible all over the horse, don't stop to scrap, just keep applying cool water from hose or buckets cooled with ice ✅

A wet horse will be cooler than a dry horse, so yes hose/sponge your horse before you ride or turnout. If you're feeling hot and could do with a cold shower then no doubt your horse is too ✅

06/05/2022

Clever boy 🤩👏🦄