Wendy Felton - BackActive Animal Physiotherapy

07/08/2024

Hollow Farm Equestrian Top part, full and rehabilitation livery with amazing facilities in Gloucestershire

06/08/2024

Just had to share this amazing image from Becks Nairn . All these muscles attach (and influence tension in) the tendons in the lower limb. Yes, there are that many, and there are NO muscles below the knee/hock!
Tendons vary in length, and form the attachment points of muscle throughout the body to bone, or sometimes other muscles through tendinous sheets called apneuroses.

Organic engineering of the fore limb! Magic

All of the muscles attached to their lower limb tendons, to see how they operate head to my Patreon page.

https://www.patreon.com/Becks_nairn

02/06/2024

24/04/2024

The presenting problem is not always the primary or causal problem!

What is the diagnosis?

This is a common question we are asked. It is a fair and expected question. The trouble is – I don’t always have an answer for you. Why? Body Lameness is complicated and is rarely clear. In order to fix the body we have to know and understand its complexity. We also must appreciate the concept of biotensegrity.

Small areas of dysfunction can cause lameness and dysfunction in completely different regions of the body. I struggle with periodic left foot pain. I randomly (i.e. no specific event, sound familiar?) get a sharp pressure and pain in my left heal or arch of my foot. It feels like plantar fasciitis. I bought the insoles, I changed shoes- I got mild improvement. I was a 2/5 AAEP lameness. It wasn’t until I saw a human physio that I had relief of my foot pain. She quickly looked at me and explained my foot problem was due to a lower lumbar mild subluxation (my back did not hurt!) which lead to a pull on my fascia and change on my medial tibia which lead to the foot pain. Within one session my foot pain was resolved. I likely would have blocked to my foot. I would have definitely had a response to hoof testers. If I were a horse I would have been offered farrier changes and coffin joint injections, likely with mild improvement. My foot was a secondary issue but a primary concern. My back was the primary source of pain and yet a non-clinical issue. Until you discover the root cause, you will never truly resolve the pain.

Horses are the same. I treat horses based on my clinical exam and diagnostic imaging (to the best of my abilities). However, the important part is treating them based on their biomechanical failure points. It’s important to recognize that the body works as a whole and not individual pieces. If there is one region of pain or dysfunction, you must treat the entire area- not one spot. You also must consider how a horse’s biomechanics and biotensegrity play into their movement, posture and overall athleticism. If they cannot sit and use their lumbar-sacral junction correctly they cannot relieve tension in their thoracic sling. If their shoulder girdle is dysfunctional, you need to treat the entire region- the neck does not work independently from the first few ribs or shoulder. It all works together and in balance of each other. Additionally we must consider things like nutritional deficiency/toxicity, diet plans, exercise routines, saddle fit, gastrointestinal issues and muscle diseases. Often horses have some combination of all of these things. To get the best results or treat the difficult cases, we have to look at all areas.

On top of these concepts, we cannot image everything. The assumption that there is only an issue if you can image it, is ignorance. Necropsies have proven this to me repeatedly. We find so many things- nerve impingements, muscle changes, fascia changes, scar restrictions, disc problems, boney changes - all can be clinically significant and not found in the live horse. This doesn’t mean they aren’t part of the problem. The body can frequently compensate with little things over time, and then with age and addition of injuries sudden decompensation occurs- leading to acute pain on a chronic issue.

So when clients ask me, what was the diagnosis? I frequently say things like shoulder girdle dysfunction, lumbar sacral dysfunction, neuritis, rib cage dysfunction. I may sometimes be able to pinpoint specifics like T16 articular facet arthritis or lumbar intertransverse joint stepping. However, I know these individual things are part of a much larger picture of dysfunction. I treat the dysfunctional segments as a whole and that’s how we can get big results, where owners have been struggling. That’s how we can take a behavioral horse, who passed lameness exams but wasn’t right and turn them quickly into a happy relaxed working horse. Results matter to me more than individual diagnoses.

Image below is the brachial plexus- cannot be imaged well, cannot be blocked out, yet can be a huge source of pain and lameness in a horse. It’s frequently affected by other areas causing incorrect pressure, pull or tension on this region. It can be treated. Until you solve why it’s under incorrect forces, you will never resolve its pain.

03/04/2024

NEW QUALIFICATION LAUNCH // Veterinary Physiotherapy
iPET Network has launched three innovative new courses which will help aspiring veterinary physiotherapists and animal sports massage and rehabilitation therapists to get the qualifications in a brand new way.

Working with leading veterinary physiotherapist Wendy Vaughan, Director of The Academy Of Veterinary Physiotherapy, iPET Network is now offering a Level 6 Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy, a Level 5 Diploma in Animal Sports Massage and Rehabilitation and a Level 4 Diploma in Animal Sports Massage, all of which are regulated by Ofqual.

Wendy, who is a IRVAP, RAMP and AHPR registered therapist, said: "I am proud to have worked with iPET Network to develop this trio of qualifications, which will make these fields of veterinary science more accessible than ever, while maintaining all important best practice."

To find out more, click here. https://www.ipetnetwork.co.uk/news-stories-ipet-network/news/post/new-qualification-launch--veterinary-physiotherapy/

iPET NETWORK, FOR PEOPLE, FOR PETS, FOR THE FUTURE.

💻[email protected]
📱0800 433 4700
⌨️www.ipetnetwork.co.uk

30/03/2024

A brand new Level 6 Animal Physiotherapy qualification provider. Email the address given for more info.

An iPET Network Approved Training Provider delivering regulated qualifications:
* iPET Network Level 6 Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy
* iPET Network Level 5 Diploma in Animal Sports Massage and Rehabilitation
*iPET Network Level 4 Diploma in Animal Sports Massage
****WATCH THIS SPACE****
More information coming soon
Register your interest: [email protected]

15/02/2024

DURING MOST EXERCISE, YOUR HORSE USES NUTRIENTS FROM STORAGE, NOT FROM THE LAST MEAL

When a horse uses carbohydrates or fat as an energy source during most types of exercise, he is not using these nutrients as they are fed, or even absorbed in the gut.
Only glucose compounds and single fatty acids can be used in the internal muscle energy pathways.

These come from stores in and around the muscle, which are built up from previous meals that have been digested, processed then stored.

It is how you've trained your horse and what you've fed in the previous few weeks that matters in how your horse processes nutrients during exercise, rather than their last meal.

Feel free to share 🏇🍏🐴

30/01/2024

It's only a few months since I moved slightly sideways, but the last year has proven to be transformational and I have been offered an opportunity too good to turn down!

At the end of February, I will be moving just south of Gloucester to develop and manage a rehabilitation yard. It is on 120 acres in a prime position and with endless possibilities for the owner's vision, which includes not only rehab, but being a centre for ethical and biomechanically beneficial training - providing horses with correct foundation work to enable them to perform their chosen career with the best chance of remaining functionally strong, sound, healthy and happy.

It is in it's infancy, but the plans include the development of several track systems, progressive pens/small paddocks for reintroduction to turnout for horses requiring restricted movement, a physio 'gym' paddock and visiting clinicians, trainers, therapists, educators and other professionals.

I'm really excited to be part of this project, and hope to be able to make a significant difference to all the horses that come our way! Take a look at the website, which will evolve as we do: https://www.hollowfarmequestrian.co.uk/

I will also be taking on a limited number of outside clients for routine physiotherapy sessions - contact me for details.

For my existing clients in the north Oxon/south Warks area, I'm sorry to be leaving, but please don't feel abandoned! I will be arranging regular day trips back for routine treatments and can recommend colleagues for emergencies or ongoing treatment requirements.

Forgive me if I am a little quiet for the next month - I have a lot to do. Exciting times!!

25/01/2024

What is the diagnosis?

This is a common question we are asked. It is a fair and expected question. The trouble is – I don’t always have an answer for you. Why? Body Lameness is complicated and is rarely clear. In order to fix the body we have to know and understand its complexity. We also must appreciate the concept of biotensegrity.

Small areas of dysfunction can cause lameness and dysfunction in completely different regions of the body. I struggle with periodic left foot pain. I randomly (i.e. no specific event, sound familiar?) get a sharp pressure and pain in my left heal or arch of my foot. It feels like plantar fasciitis. I bought the insoles, I changed shoes- I got mild improvement. I was a 2/5 AAEP lameness. It wasn’t until I saw a human physio that I had relief of my foot pain. She quickly looked at me and explained my foot problem was due to a lower lumbar mild subluxation (my back did not hurt!) which lead to a pull on my fascia and change on my medial tibia which lead to the foot pain. Within one session my foot pain was resolved. I likely would have blocked to my foot. I would have definitely had a response to hoof testers. If I were a horse I would have been offered farrier changes and coffin joint injections, likely with mild improvement. My foot was a secondary issue but a primary concern. My back was the primary source of pain and yet a non-clinical issue. Until you discover the root cause, you will never truly resolve the pain.

Horses are the same. I treat horses based on my clinical exam and diagnostic imaging (to the best of my abilities). However, the important part is treating them based on their biomechanical failure points. It’s important to recognize that the body works as a whole and not individual pieces. If there is one region of pain or dysfunction, you must treat the entire area- not one spot. You also must consider how a horse’s biomechanics and biotensegrity play into their movement, posture and overall athleticism. If they cannot sit and use their lumbar-sacral junction correctly they cannot relieve tension in their thoracic sling. If their shoulder girdle is dysfunctional, you need to treat the entire region- the neck does not work independently from the first few ribs or shoulder. It all works together and in balance of each other. Additionally we must consider things like nutritional deficiency/toxicity, diet plans, exercise routines, saddle fit, gastrointestinal issues and muscle diseases. Often horses have some combination of all of these things. To get the best results or treat the difficult cases, we have to look at all areas.

On top of these concepts, we cannot image everything. The assumption that there is only an issue if you can image it, is ignorance. Necropsies have proven this to me repeatedly. We find so many things- nerve impingements, muscle changes, fascia changes, scar restrictions, disc problems, boney changes - all can be clinically significant and not found in the live horse. This doesn’t mean they aren’t part of the problem. The body can frequently compensate with little things over time, and then with age and addition of injuries sudden decompensation occurs- leading to acute pain on a chronic issue.

So when clients ask me, what was the diagnosis? I frequently say things like shoulder girdle dysfunction, lumbar sacral dysfunction, neuritis, rib cage dysfunction. I may sometimes be able to pinpoint specifics like T16 articular facet arthritis or lumbar intertransverse joint stepping. However, I know these individual things are part of a much larger picture of dysfunction. I treat the dysfunctional segments as a whole and that’s how we can get big results, where owners have been struggling. That’s how we can take a behavioral horse, who passed lameness exams but wasn’t right and turn them quickly into a happy relaxed working horse. Results matter to me more than individual diagnoses.

Image below is the brachial plexus- cannot be imaged well, cannot be blocked out, yet can be a huge source of pain and lameness in a horse. It’s frequently affected by other areas causing incorrect pressure, pull or tension on this region. It can be treated. Until you solve why it’s under incorrect forces, you will never resolve its pain.

18/12/2023

"The best thing for your horse is to let them be a horse."

8 Top Tips for Equestrians from Dr. Temple Grandin

12/12/2023

I often find myself wondering if I've actually made THAT much difference to horses I've treated (even when I know I have).... I do my best to address their problems, move on to the next client and everyone gets on with their lives. It's often only when I next see the horse that I hear about improvements.

That's why I appreciate feedback like this. Hottie had a nasty pull-back, getting his mouth caught and breaking a tooth (seen by dental technician and vet). His owner had noticed that he had been eating a bit delicately and not keen on his hay, so it's a relief to hear he is so much more comfortable. No, he wouldn't be the easiest horse to treat, but that's his way of communicating and he always shows a big improvement afterwards, so it's a matter of working with what he gives me and adapting my approach.

Any pull-back will damage the delicate structures around the head and upper neck (and in his case, jaw). Beyond local pain/strain, it will have negative connotations throughout the body, affecting balance, spatial and body awareness, coordination and creating tension patterns. I will be following up with him, but having explained this to his owner, it won't just be his head I'll be checking!

Obviously, avoiding pulling back is ideal, but if your horse has done it - even once - they should be checked by your MSK therapist.

Please get in touch for help with pull-back injuries, reduced performance, 'not quite right', or equally important routine maintenance treatments!

16/11/2023

Apparently it's world horse appreciation day. I can't tell you how much I appreciate these fluffy ears/that face, and all that have come before him. Show me yours!

15/11/2023

FREE WEBINAR!

Horses need to be in an enormous amount of pain before they stop eating, but dental issues can prevent adequate grinding of food. This means the first step in the digestive process is compromised, therefore nutrients will not be derived from the food properly causing weight loss and poor performance. It can also lead to life-threatening conditions such as choke and colic.
Not only is it important to have your horse's mouth checked by a qualified professional regularly, but observe them eating and take note of any changes so problems can be addressed early.

Dental Awareness Week quiz!

Who can spot all the problems with this mouth? List your answers below in the comments :)

What symptoms (clinical signs) do you think this horse was showing?

Join our free webinar tonight to find out!

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thebritishhorsesocietywm/995676

02/11/2023

**THURSDAY RESEARCH MEME**

Todays meme relates to the changes in back shape and saddle fit.

The horses back shape (posture) can alter with exercise (if ridden in a correctly fitted saddle), training, seasons etc. Important that the fit of the saddle is checked regularly to reduce the risk of back related dysfunction.

As an example - a saddle that is fitted on day 1, after 90 days of correct training and management (resulting in an improved top line) , will the saddle still be in balance and a optimal fit??

Or a saddle which was “made to measure” for a young horse, will it still fit the same as when the horse has matured??

The horses back is a dynamic platform where it’s movement and shape is influenced by multiple factors. The fit of the saddle must be checked regularly throughout the horses ridden career regardless of what it’s purpose is - hacking or sporting.

🤓

www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/blog/

25/10/2023

The very appropriately named Scruffy was very nervous when I first met him a couple of months ago. As you can see, he now fully embraces his physio sessions at Premier Paws !
He's not 1 yet, but his owner was keen to get started with regular treatments as a preventative measure to help keep him fit and healthy throughout life and pick up potential issues before they become big problems. Physio is also very effective for helping anxious dogs like Scruffy feel more comfortable within themselves and find a calmer state of mind.

21/10/2023

Some of our clients have told us that their dog grooming providers are now offering "ultrasonic tooth cleaning".
Dentistry (if performed by using an ultrasonic dental scaler specifically) should not be performed on dogs or cats without anaesthesia, and we want to make owners aware of this distinction while agreeing to services. There are significant health risks in scaling a pet's teeth without appropriate veterinary training.
Cleaning the teeth properly with an ultrasonic scaler is an act of veterinary surgery and can only legally be performed by your veterinary team. Allowing someone to carry out anaesthesia free dentistry on your pet could be regarded as failing to safeguard the welfare of your pet. The welfare of animals is protected under law by the Animal Welfare Act.

Further information can be found on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons website:
www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/a-statement-on-anaesthesia-free-dental-procedures-for-cats-dogs/

19/10/2023

**THURSDAY RESEARCH MEME**

Todays meme relates to the saddle twist/waist for the rider AND horse.

Some riders prefer a narrow twist/waist of the saddle to optimise hip function, comfort and to be closer to the horse. Whilst this maybe useful, it is important that the twist/waist of the saddle is suitable and can accommodate the horse’s conformation and back shape

Previously in trot, jump and gallop we have shown that areas of high pressure in the region of T10-T13 (region of the twist/waist) can have a significant affect on equine locomotion. Reinforcing the importance and complexities of correct saddle fit for both horse and rider
🤓

www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/blog/

14/10/2023

We expect a lot from horses.

Wow. This is powerful, eye opening and a little sad. This is why I’m not in the business of buying and selling horses...instead, I would much rather educate equine enthusiasts about just how sensitive horses truly are...

“Most horses pass from one human to another - some horsemen and women are patient and forgiving, others are rigorous and demanding, others are cruel, others are ignorant.

Horses have to learn how to, at the minimum, walk, trot, canter, gallop, go on trails and maybe jump, to be treated by the vet, all with sense and good manners.

Talented Thoroughbreds must learn how to win races, and if they can't do that, they must learn how to negotiate courses and jump over strange obstacles without touching them, or do complicated dance
like movements or control cattle or accommodate severely handicapped children and adults in therapy work.

Many horses learn all of these things in the course of a single lifetime. Besides this, they learn to understand and fit into the successive social systems of other horses they meet along the way.

A horse's life is rather like twenty years in foster care, or in and out of prison, while at the same time changing schools over and over and discovering that not only do the other students already have their own social groups, but that what you learned at the old school hasn't much application at the new one.

We do not require as much of any other species, including humans.

That horses frequently excel, that they exceed the expectations of their owners and trainers in such circumstances, is as much a testament to their intelligence and adaptability as to their relationship skills or their natural generosity or their inborn nature.

That they sometimes manifest the same symptoms as abandoned orphans - distress, strange behaviors, anger, fear - is less surprising than that they usually don't.

No one expects a child, or even a dog to develop its intellectual capacities living in a box 23 hours a day and then doing controlled exercises the remaining one.

Mammal minds develop through social interaction and stimulation.

A horse that seems "stupid", "slow", "stubborn", etc. might just have not gotten the chance to learn!

Take care of your horses and treasure them.”

- Jane Smiley

📸 Kaly Madison Photography

08/10/2023

Just a heads up.... I have a few spaces left for the end of October, then limited availability until Feb 2024, so get booked in now to avoid missing out!

05/10/2023

*** LAMENESS IN HORSES = PAIN ***

Very rarely is a horse “stiff”, and not in pain, or at least some discomfort.

If your horse is lame, then he/she is in pain. (Mechanical lameness can exist, but is extremely rare).

Your horse is not “a bit stiff”, if he is constantly “a bit stiff”. Stiffness (both muscular and arthritic) wears off as the horse moves about, and most horses that look stiff, are in fact lame. Agreed, ancient horses and ponies can look stiff, but this is due to arthritis, so again, is likely due to pain!

If your horse is looking “stiff” in one leg, he is definitely lame. There are very many causes of lameness, and if your horse is suddenly looking “stiff”, then you need to speak to your Vet.

I try not to involve myself with social media posts in various groups, but the one time I do step in, is when someone states that their horse is “not comfy” in trot, or “quite stiff” in trot, but definitely not in any pain. Yes, your horse is in pain.

Unlike in humans, muscle stiffness in horses is relatively rare. You will soon know if your horse is just a bit stiff, as he/she will improve to looking their normal self with a bit of light exercise/turn out.

Another comment I sometimes hear, is that “my horse didn’t look lame when he cantered across the field”, or “my horse isn’t in any pain as I have seen him charging around the field”. This is firstly because a horse rarely looks lame in canter or gallop, unless extremely lame, and secondly due to the fact that horses are a prey species, and therefore have a very strong “fight or flight” response to danger; if their field mates shoot off across the field, they will do their best to keep up with them, however painful that may be.

To summarise:
- Lameness = pain
- Horses rarely look lame in canter
- Your horse cantering across a field when his herd mates bolt off, doesn’t mean he isn’t in pain.

Feel free to share.

29/09/2023

It's no coincidence that mid - low neck osteoarthritis is common in the modern ridden horse.
How is your contact?

"The contact" is a social construct, as is the idea that the horse needs to "carry the hand" or "carry the contact forward".

So if we're going to impose the idea of contact on them, we owe it to them to be nice about it.

The neck is comprised of 7 cervical vertebrae. They do not have the same range of motion between them - the articulation between the horse's skull & C1 and the articulation between C7 & T1 have the most flexion/extension capability.

When you reach the anatomical limit of ROM in the other joints in the neck or when these joints becime restricted through muscular bracing (pain/sh*tty hands etc), the poll/C1 and C7/T1 will pick up the slack.

This usually results in over flexion at the poll and over extension at the base of the neck.

When we take a horse with restricted range of motion and significant bracing through their neck and shorten the reins with high rein tension (and perhaps a silly, rowing the boat style hand action) in a bid to teach the horse to take the contact forward, you create more brace and actually train and compound the poor posture.

When you release the reins after riding the horse in that way for a sustained period time, they might give the appearance of taking the contact forward because they've fatigued...

Maybe that horse improves over time, but you keep the brace or the brace transfers elsewhere.

You haven't taught them anything meaningful other than being ridden is uncomfortable/rein pressure = sore mouth - both of which take a great deal of time and effort to rehabilitate.

Teach a horse to use their neck by training their lengthened cervical range of motion, then shorten the reins to their true tolerance (this might be 1cm at a time over a prolonged period of time, e.g. months and months), with plenty of breaks to reduce fatigue and you will help their relationship to contact, and give them time for their soft tissues to adapt.

Tension on the reins is not a requirement for creating a connection with your horse and if you're really skilled, it's not a requirement for influencing their head/neck/body position.

Maybe it's time to resurrect

25/09/2023

From the 1st September 2023, our governing body, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), changed the Professional Code of Conduct that applies to all Veterinary Surgeons.

The key changes that affect you as clients and animal owners are as follows:

💊 Prescribing changes 💊
To prescribe any type of controlled drug, antibiotic, antifungal, or antiviral, a vet is legally required to undertake a PHYSICAL examination of your animal.

These changes apply to all types of medication, whether injectable, oral or topical, including creams and ointments. Antibiotics cannot be given based on photographs; an in-person physical examination is legally required. The RCVS has implemented these changes to safeguard both animal and human health against the risks posed by excessive antibiotic usage and the development of resistance.

Please respect our Team members when they explain the need for your animal to be seen. We are legally required to adhere to the new guidelines, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Further information can be found at: https://www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/under-care-new-guidance

Our normal policy of your animal being seen every 6/12 months (or sooner if the vet deems it appropriate) still applies for long-term prescription medications that are not antimicrobial.

🐴🐇🐕🐈 Animals under the care of multiple practices 🐴🐇🐕🐈
Where an animal is under the care of multiple veterinary practices, those practices must keep each other informed of any information that may affect the animal's treatment. Therefore, in light of these changes, we ask that you inform us if your animal is under the care of another veterinary practice so that we can adhere to these policy changes.

Please contact us if you have any questions about the above changes.
Many thanks,
HNVG

24/09/2023

Yesterday was CPD day and I was so engrossed, I forgot to take any pictures! So thanks to Georgia at Equiperformance for hosting the event, and for the post.

The Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (now called RH Performance Checklist) was developed as an early aid in identifying subtle (and not so subtle) signs of pain and lameness in horses. Having listened to Dr Dyson explain the process of developing it, and observing several horses while she talked through its application and relevant behaviours, I can confirm that I will be using it a lot more when assessing horses!

Recognising problems that need veterinary intervention EARLY is key in getting appropriate diagnosis and treatment at a stage where they have a better chance of successful rehabilitation or management. Undesirable/difficult behaviour in horses is not a choice, it is their way of communicating that something is wrong. The sooner we can figure out what, the sooner you can get back to enjoying your horses, whatever your goals might be. The 'what' might not be big, and there could be a simple solution, but removing the source of discomfort is all important.

Don't be surprised if I ask to see your horses ridden more from now on!

21/09/2023

**THURSDAY RESEARCH MEME**

Todays meme relates to browband fit.

Correct bridle fit is essential. Attention is given to the fit of the noseband but, other bridle features are also important to consider.

A browband which is to small, will pull the headpiece forward and cause localised pressures at the base of the ears and in the region of the TMJ. Previously we have demonstrated the effect that increased pressures at the base of the ears and TMJ can have on equine Locomotion.

All bridle features should be considered and reinforces the importance of correct bridle fit and working with a qualified bridle fitter.

🤓

www.centaurbiomechanics.co.uk/blog/