Sam Walker - Veterinary Physiotherapist

15/07/2024

✈️ Out of office: 15/7-29/7 ✈️

I am off on my holidays! All messages and communications will be replied to on my return.

Look after your four-legged friends and I will see you all for your appointments on my return.

Sam x

13/01/2024

Hello 2024!

I can only apologise for the radio silence, social media has never been my forte. But treating your four-legged friends, this is my thaaang 😌

I can only promise, to try, try reaaally hard and be more active on here. So my post for today, is all the beautiful faces I have treated today ❤️

Keep an eye out for the next post. I promise I won’t be away as long this time 🤞🏻

09/07/2023

✈️ Out of office: 10/7-18/7 ✈️

I am off on my holidays! All messages and communication will be replied to on my return.

Look after your four-legged friends and I will see you all for your appointments on my return.

Sam x

Ps couldn’t leave without sharing this pic of the kids ♥️

24/06/2023

Appointment Availability ‼️

Due to a last minute change of circumstance, I now have availability for appointments this coming week.
June 26th - 30th.

If you have been waiting for an appointment or want to get booked in drop me a message!

11/06/2023

Heat stroke can affect any dog, of any age, with or without medical conditions. Heat stroke kills. Dogs can not regulate their temperature in the way that humans do. If a dog becomes too hot, and they cannot lower their temperature by panting, they will develop heat stroke.

Now here’s the important bit. Your dog doesn’t need to walk in this heat. FULL STOP. Whether they look like they want to go, or you think they’ll have too much energy, walking a dog at these temperatures can cause heat stroke and/or cause their pads to burn walking on hot tarmac or road surfaces.

Ted was outside for a maximum of 5 minutes, just standing, mooching about the garden before I made him come inside. He came in hot and panting. Now imagine how your dog would feel going for a walk in this weather? 😳

If you are going to walk your dog, I appreciate many people don’t have gardens, take them out very early in the morning, ideally before 8am or late in the evening after 8pm. .

Things you can do at home to keep them cool, cooling vests are amazing, Ted is modelling one here for you, all you do is soak it in cool water and put it on your dog. It’s as simple as that. Just make sure you keep it wet, you’ll probably find you need to dowse it in water every 30 minutes in this heat (If you don’t own a cool vest, draping a cold wet towel over them will work the same way). Cool mats, aldi sell them for about £5 and they’re filled with pressure activated cooling gel (just make sure you don’t leave a chewer unattended), keep them out of the sun where you can, make use of fans (or if you’re lucky, aircon 🙌🏼) and please for love of your pet, do not take them in the car if you have to make a stop anywhere.

If your dog does start to show any signs of heat stroke, get them in the shade as quickly as possible, wet them down and cover them in wet towels whilst you seek immediate veterinary advice. I cannot stress this enough, call your vet immediately if you see any signs at all of heatstroke! These include:

- heavy panting or breathing difficulties
- excessive drooling
- lethargy, drowsiness or uncoordinated behaviour
- collapse or vomiting
- abnormal gum colour
- seizures

Well all love our dogs, we all wants best for them, so keep them safe in this heat.

Look after your four legged friends 💕

01/06/2023

This is Buster. Buster is a good boy. Buster loves his physio sessions.
Can you tell?

29/05/2023

Have you been looking through you favourite pair of ears recently and thought to yourself he/she isn’t feeling their usual self?

Are they struggling to pick up the correct canter lead?

Are they having trouble balancing or flexing on one rein?

Have they started bucking when asking certain movements?

Are they not quite giving their all when competing?

Do they seem to struggle more when competing on grass or on a surface?

The list of questions could go on and on…

The question to ask yourself, is my horse acting out of the ordinary? Has their behaviour changed inexplicably?

It might be time to try and answer some of those burning questions. All we want for our horses is for them to be comfortable right?

June is getting filled up fast, but I have some availability remaining. If you’d like to have your horse assessed, or have further questions, drop me a message!

14/05/2023

Qualifications & Governing bodies: is my physio suitably qualified?

To be a Veterinary Physiotherapist your physiotherapist will need either:
🎓 a masters or integrated masters degree in veterinary physiotherapy
🎓a BSc degree in human physiotherapy approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, accompanied by a postgraduate course in Veterinary Physiotherapy
🎓a postgraduate Advanced Certificate or PG DiP in Veterinary Physiotherapy

How do I find out whether my physio is suitably qualified?
Check whether they are registered with any of the following:
📍RAMP - the register of animal musculoskeletal practitioners. Admittance to this register requires strict criteria to be met, proof of professional qualification, BSc or higher, completed a minimum amount of CPD and compliance to its strict professional code of conduct & standards of practise
📍NAVP - National association of veterinary physiotherapists. These allow membership for all veterinary physiotherapists holding a university accredited qualification at BSc, PgD, or MSc degree level.
📍ACPAT - The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Animal Therapy. Physiotherapists that have a BSc or higher in human physiotherapy with a postgraduate PGDip or MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy (only human physiotherapists can use the protected term ‘Chartered’ Physiotherapist
📍IRVAP - The Institute of Registered Veterinary & Animal Physiotherapists

If you have been recommend physiotherapy for your animal, first, check your insurance policy. Many will have the option to claim a certain monetary value, or a set number of physiotherapy sessions. They will stipulate a certain level of qualification or to be part of a certain governing body.

If you’re unsure, ask whomever you have been recommended for their level of qualification or if they’re listed on any of the above associations/registers.

There are a number of different professional fields within the animal therapy/physiotherapy bracket. Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, sports massage therapists all of whom can make a significant impact on your animals wellbeing. Just make sure whoever you choose is suitably qualified for the the job at hand!

09/05/2023

It’s been a day of yawning, snoozing and droopy lips 🥱

Feedback during physiotherapy sessions varies massively from horse to horse. While I am looking for a palpable change in muscle tension, or improved joint range of motion, I am always watching for behavioural changes or signs. Some will yawn, some droop their lips in relaxation, they may lip lick, others sleep, some will simply just soften their eyes. All these are indicators of tension release.

Have you heard of the grimace pain scale? It’s described as a pain coding system that evaluates 6 different characteristics of equine facial expressions. The way they hold their ears, tension above the eye, orbital tightening (how much they open their eye), prominent or strained chewing muscles, a strained mouth with a pronounced chin or strained nostrils (Conglian et al., 2020).

Have you objectively looked at your horse recently? They way they stand, the way they hold themselves or their facial expressions?

Our horses may not be able to use words, but they are definitely capable of communicating with us. Is your horse trying to tell you something?

Appointments are rapidly filling up for both the rest of May and now for June. So, if you’re thinking your horse may benefit from physiotherapy, drop me a message to avoid missing out ✉️

25/04/2023

What can I do if my horse is overweight?

Create a calorie deficit. To lose fat, calories in, should be less than calories out.

You can do this by:
- Reducing the calorie intake
- Increasing exercise and therefore, the number of calories burned.

When looking at feed for overweight horses, ask a professional nutritionist. Most horses will easily fulfil and exceed their caloric quota through grazing alone, therefore, restricting grass intake is usually the first step

How to do this:
- Grazing muzzles. No they’re not evil contraptions. Yes, horse may strop/stress/get frustrated when you first put a muzzle on them, but if you condition them, they will get used to it. This is often the best option for many as they can move more, therefore burn more calories while successfully reducing their grass intake by up to 30% (depending on the muzzle)

- Use a track system - depending on the surface, whether its a grass or alternatives, this may not reduce the quantity of grass but will encourage your horse to keep moving as they graze, therefore, burn more calories

- Strip graze or turn out in a paddock with limited grass

- Remove rugs - if your horse is overweight, their body will produce excess heat

- Use small-holed hay nets to make forage last longer

- Keep your horse hydrated with 24/7 access to clean fresh water

- Make sure your horse has access to vitamins/minerals either as part of their feed or a mineral lick. Horses on a restricted diet are at a higher risk of experiencing deficiencies.

- Choosing a lower calorie, less nutrient dense forage. Hay can be tested for its nutrient value, soaking hay for 12/24 hours is the only real way to reduce nutrient value and therefore caloric value of hay.

- Gradually increase exercise levels - make sure to get advice from your vet/physio on how to do this safely. This will involve gradually increasing exercise. Both in-hand and ridden exercise can be beneficial to improve fitness levels and reducing the risk of injury.

Finally, Do not starve your horse! Horses should not go for periods longer than 4 hours without forage. This can result in a build up of stomach acid and will increase risk of colic and ulcers. Contact your vet or a nutritionist if you’re struggling.

25/04/2023

I am often asked during physio assessments - ‘How do you think their weight is?’. Unfortunately, quite often my answer, mainly because my face can’t hide a lie 🫣 (it’s a genetic trait i'm sure), is that they’re overweight.

I’m not sure whether we as a population over time have just become conditioned to think that a heavier weight is ‘normal/healthy’. Often people are shocked when I tell them their beloved four-legged friend could do with dropping some weight. This inevitably leads on to a discussion about weight management, signs of being overweight and an exasperated “I’ve tried everything!”.

Signs of being overweight:
1. Crest! Anything above the horses neck muscle shouldn’t be there. That is fat storage and can be an indicator of laminitis.
2. Shoulder fat. Is your horse carrying extra fat pads on their shoulder. Not good!
3. Ribs. You should be able to feel them with the same force that it takes to move the skin on your forehead. Try it. If you have to press harder than that to find ribs, your horse is overweight!
4. Hindquarters. Ideally, your horse should have a rounded quarters (if they have healthy gluteal muscles) what they shouldn’t have is a big apple bum with a gutter running down the middle. That I am afraid is fat!
5. Management - weight tapes are notoriously inaccurate, but they’re better than nothing. Take regular pictures from all angles and compare weekly to note any changes. Ideally weigh bridges are the most accurate but are obviously not readily available

Conditions associated with obesity?
- Laminitis
- Cushings (PPID)
- Equine metabolic syndrome (insulin deregulation syndrome)

Keep an eye on my page for my next post on ‘What to do if my horse is overweight?’

18/04/2023

ATYPICAL MYOPATHY ⚠️
also known as ‘Sycamore poisoning’ can be FATAL for horses.

While it’s thought to be a seasonal, with ‘helicopter seeds’ plaguing autumn, now spring has well and truly sprung, it is the time of the ‘saplings’!

Both the seeds and saplings of sycamore trees contain high levels of Hypoglycin-A which causes atypical myopathy in horses.

Symptoms generally present as weakness, difficulty standing, breathing difficulties, possibly colic or choke-like symptoms but may also be as follows:

⚠️ Muscle stiffness
⚠️ Reluctance to walk
⚠️ Muscle tremors
⚠️ Sweating
⚠️ Depression
⚠️ Elevated heart rate
⚠️ Dark urine (reddish in colour)

If your horse shows any of the above signs, contact your vet IMMEDIATELY. The sooner atypical myopathy is diagnosed the better likely the outcome.

How to reduce the risk?
- Feed forage in parched fields with hay nets or racks up off the floor.
- Fence off areas around sycamore trees, collect and dispose of seeds safely
- Remove saplings from the field - strim or mow the grass removing the cuttings from the paddock.
- Be extremely vigilant for potential signs of sycamore poisoning and act quickly.

If you’re concerned contact your vet immediately and keep an eye out for any signs of saplings in your paddocks

01/04/2023

When is it time to say Goodbye?

It’s the day no one wants to think about. As an animal lover, especially one with a dog with a life limiting condition this question is something I’ve had to have conversations about. Just the anticipatory grief is enough to knock me sideways, so just the thought of having to say goodbye breaks my heart.

Sometimes, we have to take a step away, and look as objectively as we can. Are we ignoring the signs? Are they ready to go?

Here’s an informative post from Clark’s farm. Helping understand general signs to keep an eye out for and the process that follows.

Hug your dogs, cats, horses, birds, whatever species is your thing. The one and only downside of being an animal lover, owning pets, is they just don’t live long enough and having to say goodbye. So cherish every single day ♥️

OWNERS ASK US

When is it time to say goodbye?

It is never easy to lose our canine companions, or any animal companion for that matter. When the end does inevitably come, all we can wish for is that they pass peacefully, and quietly, in their sleep at a lovely old age.

Sadly, this rarely happens, and it is far more often the case that we have to make that dreaded decision so that they are no longer in discomfort, pain, or distress. Making the decision is not easy, and not something that can be made lightly, as to say goodbye to your dog is akin to losing a part of yourself, and your family.

However, despite the difficulty, making this decision is one of the kindest and most empathetic things you can do for your dog. For you are allowing them to go in peace rather than continuing to struggle through illness, injury or age-related conditions that are impeding on their happiness and welfare.

The problem is making the decision is very personal to you and the situation.

We get so many phone calls from distraught owners asking us to tell them that it is time and reassure them that they are doing the right thing...but like with the vets, we cannot tell people what to do. We can only provide options and advise best we can. The decision though, must be your own, and ultimately, it comes down to the dog’s welfare. If you don’t believe that your dog is able to live fully, happily, and healthily, then you are right to let them go.

You know your dog, you know what is normal and what is not normal for them...so only you can understand when it is time...but at the end of the day dogs do often tell us, in their own way, when they are ready to go and if they don’t, you will know in your gut that it is the right decision.

Whether it is old age, a chronic medical condition or otherwise, there are signs that it may be time:
- They may have stopped eating, or will only eat really nice things like treats or meat
- They may be losing a lot of weight/body condition
- Their legs may not support them the way they used to and are having falls
- They may become incontinent or forgetful
- They aren’t playing or interacting the way they once did
- They simply may just not seem happy anymore.
- Medications may only be a band aid fix but not solve the problem
- They may be in discomfort or distress, or there may not be any further treatment available for what ails them.

While we never want to consider that the day will come, it is important to feel prepared. It is something worth discussing with your vet in advance, so to know your options and be able to make informed decisions on the day.

However, when you make that decision, what happens next? What should you expect to happen when you book your dog into the vets for the final goodbye?

We want to demystify this sad and inevitable event that all pet owners go through...

Although it sounds like it will be, it isn’t a scary, traumatic experience...it is generally a very quiet and peaceful affair. While there are several options available now to have a vet come to your home to say goodbye in familiar surrounds, generally it will take place at the veterinary practice. When you arrive and check in, the vet will take your dog through the back, leaving you to wait in reception, so to place a catheter in their leg and get everything ready.

You will be asked if you would like a communal cremation or individual. With the communal cremation, you don’t receive the ashes back but instead they are scattered by the cremation service in a memorial garden. If you choose individual cremation, the ashes will be sent to your vet for you to collect when you are ready.
There are a lot of options for the ashes, you can get some beautiful urns, you can have them turned into jewellery or other keepsakes so they can always stay with you. You can scatter them on their favourite walks or bury them in your garden.
You don’t have to have the ashes back, not everyone does, some just like to have their dogs ‘back’ with them, as it were.

You will then be invited into the room to be with them. You don’t have to, not everyone choses to stay with their dog for this part, and that’s okay, but if you can be with them then at least they will be in the arms of people that love them when the time comes.

The vet will explain what will happen next and support you through it. In a nutshell, they’ll ask you to hold, stroke and speak to your dog as they inject the medication into the catheter. From the dog’s perspective, they get very sleepy and very quickly, peacefully drift away in a matter of seconds. You will feel them go limp and with the vets help they will be laid down.

After they have laid down, the vet will confirm they are gone...It is quick, peaceful, and painless and thereafter you can stay with them and say goodbye for as long as you need.

When it is all finished, you have said your goodbyes and are ready to leave, you will leave your dog with the vets (you can take their collar and tag if you wish!) and they will handle the rest.

Saying goodbye will leave a big aching hole in your heart, and it will stay there for a long time, but it does get easier with time.

You will (hopefully) have years of happy memories with them which will keep you company and help soothe the pain of losing them and then one day, when you are feeling ready, you may wish to take another beautiful hound into your heart and home again.

27/03/2023

Oh May, you stole my ♥️

May was my first client after I qualified. For 5 years, you’ve been bringing me your favourite toys, waiting at the door for me when you’ve heard my car, getting grumpy when Stan got the attention.

You will always be my first and my favourite. Sleep tight pupper ♥️ you will be forever missed 🕊️

23/03/2023

Something a little different today: Cats & Physiotherapy 🐾

We often seek physiotherapy for our horses due to lameness, injury, pain or discomfort. We seek advice for our dogs after surgery, injury, for arthritis & age related degeneration. Why don’t we think about it for cats?

Think about the movements that cats make daily. Hunting, chasing, jumping on/off high up walls or surfaces. They may have 9 lives, but that doesn’t mean they’re comfortable and pain free 🤕. It’s estimated that 45% of ALL cats and 90% of cats over 10 will have be affected by arthritis in some way. Scary values!

Meet Oscar. Oscar turned 11 this year and his very dedicated owners noticed that he was sleeping a lot more than usual, he’d lost a little weight and was just a little more on the grumpy side than his usual self.

After a trip to the vet to rule out any medical cause (kidney, liver, thyroid etc - it’s suuuuper important to visit the vet to rule out these kind of issues when noticing weight and behavioural changes! 🚩). His owners contacted me to see if physiotherapy could help.

While my main clientele are horses and dogs, all the same principals apply to cats, the only difference is the delivery of treatment techniques and the way we use rehabilitative exercises. Oscar was an absolute trooper during his first session. His favourite place to sit is on the radiator - so that’s where his treatment took place.

Remember that arthritis isn’t just something we have to accept when our pets get older. Pain, discomfort, sleeping more, weight loss, changes in movement and behaviour are all 🚩 that should be monitored. Make sure you’re having these conversations with your vet and/or vet physiotherapists to see what we can do to help.

Advocate for your pets - they can’t do it for themselves ♥️

15/03/2023

Tyson’s owner contacted me because he was acting odd. Not his usual self. He was tense and irratic when hacking and schooling especially on one rein. He was up to date with his saddle fit and dentist, so physio was the next port of call to see if this new behaviour change could be explained.

During his assessment he presented with all the classic signs of a slip in the field, neck and shoulder tension on one side and lumbar discomfort 🤕

Some electro and manual therapy later, and we had lots of yawns and tension release.
Today, he’s back to his usual self!

The take away from this - behavioural changes, no matter how small should always be considered.
Always think - What is your horse trying to tell you? Are you listening?

The answer is 99.999% of the time, NOT, ‘that they’re just naughty!’

If you think your horse may benefit from physiotherapy - drop me a message ✉️

14/03/2023

Nemo had to go to the extreme lengths of a field accident to bring his next appointment forwards. Please tell your four-legged friends that field accidents are not necessary. Just a text, WhatsApp, or social media message will suffice 😅.

Jokes aside, it was great to hear that Nemo was feeling much better after his session today. Field accidents will unfortunately be more frequent with this wet weather, increasing the risk of slips and falls. Look after your furry companions and don’t be afraid to get in touch if you think your horse may benefit from a session ✉️

16/02/2023

Reviews and recommendations are the ♥️ of small businesses like mine.

Dave is such a lovely boy and working alongside his farrier and very dedicated owner, is a completely different horse to the one I first saw 6 months ago!

Drop me a message if you think physiotherapy will benefit your horse or dog ✉️🐎🐾

19/01/2023

How often do we as equestrians either use, or hear the words ‘cold backed’? A term that’s often brushed off, or that people will use it when describing their horses ‘naughty behaviour’.

As a physio, this is a definite 🚩

Cold backed symptoms are often described as a variation of the following:
- Stiffness over the back when you first mount
- Reluctance to let you mount, especially from the ground
- Girth discomfort, especially when tightened
- Bucking during exercise, especially during warmup
- Reactiveness to the saddle, dipping or bridging the back, pinning the ears back, turning around to you, nipping or raising a limb to strike.
- Signs of soreness/sensitivity over the back during grooming

What these symptoms mean? PAIN! 🚩🚩

There are may possible reasons your horse may display any of these symptoms, and this list is not exhaustive!
- PAIN!
- Poor posture (usually as a result of a previous injury or referred pain, or due to farrier or dentistry resulting in them readjusting their posture in order to counteract their discomfort. Or a result of poor training)
- Poor rider posture (how many of us spend money on ‘fixing’ their horses while limping themselves?)
- Poor saddle fit
- Gastric ulcers
- Kissing spines
- The list goes on…

Have you noticed your horses behaviour has changed recently? This could be a sign that your horses is asking for help! Remember to always keep track of any minor changes in behaviour and speak to your physiotherapist or vet to investigate ✅

18/01/2023

❗️Appointment availability in: February❗️

If you think your dog or horse is getting ready for a general maintenance check up, you think they’ve been struggling with mobility recently or there’s been any new changes to their behaviour - drop me a message ✉️

15/01/2023

It’s time to hear from you 🫵🏼

✅ Have you had your horse or dog assessed and treated recently?
✅ How did it go?
✅ Would you recommend my services to a friend?
✅ Is there something you’d change or do you have suggestions of what you’d like to see in the future?

Reviews and recommendations are the absolute backbone of small businesses. I pride myself on the fact that 90% of my business is built on word of mouth (mainly because social media isn’t quite my forte, but 🤫 don’t tell anyone 😉).

I am so thankful to each and every one of you that recommend me; every like, share, comment and review on social media or chatting ringside at pony club comps or spreading the word at livery yards, or dog walking, or at the vets - you’re all amazing and I thank you from the bottom of my heart ♥️

If you have used my services, and if you could spare just 2 minutes, (and if you haven’t already been so kind) please could you leave a review on social media, or pop me a message. Every review makes all the difference. Thank you all ♥️

23/12/2022

Merry Christmas to all my lovely clients 🎄

I think it’s fair to say that 2022 has had its ups and downs! With energy crisis’, fuel, food, bedding, insurances (to name only a few 😥) prices sky rocketing, having those 4 legged friends that still need just as much food and bedding and attention - it’s been a hard year for many!

As Christmas and New Year are always a time for reflection and goal setting for the new year to come; this year I just want to thank each and every one of you guys, my clients, for supporting me as a small business. Without you all I would not be able to go to work every day in the job I absolutely adore! Thank you ♥️

For the new year, my goal is to keep providing the best possible service that I can, by continuing to learn, improve and expand the services I can provide.

For now, I will be taking a break and will be out of office until January 3rd. Any messages will be replied to on my return - but as always, I will be contactable in an emergency.

Merry Christmas and cheers to a happy and healthy 2023!🥂 ♥️

22/10/2022

Anyone for some tension release? 🥱

The handsome Ross enjoying his physio treatment in the autumnal sunshine this morning ☀️

Horses, like humans hold a lot of tension in their bodies. It often accumulates over time, whether that’s due to injury, compensation (a changed way of movement due to discomfort) or simply anxiety and the way we hold ourselves.

Ross is only a youngster and new to ridden work, he’s learning how to carry himself, how to work off the leg, how to balance himself with a rider on top, how to work into a contact, all while still growing and maturing.

Imagine all of a sudden deciding to take up a new sport, training 4/5 x week from nothing without having any sort of muscle soreness, or sprains or strains.

Physiotherapy just helps keep on top of those small niggles and muscle knots that form when we learn to use ourself in a new way. It helps to ensure we’re strengthening the correct muscles, symmetrically and in a way that will support our bodies through the rigours we put it through.

Physiotherapy isn’t just for top competition horses or older horses managing arthritis. It can start here, at day 1 🤗

19/10/2022

❄️ Cold Weather ❄️

Remember, we (not so much the equine industry - we go whatever the weather 💪🏼 admirable or crazy?! I haven’t yet decided 😅) all tend to be less active during the winter months, due to cold, wet weather and darker nights. Horses spend longer in stables, dogs spend longer sleeping or lying down which can lead to stiff muscles and joints. When you take into consideration arthritis and injury, this just makes that considerably worse.

Imagine how much you hate getting undressed in an evening before jumping into bed because it’s so cold. All your muscles tense as your body tries to keep itself warm. Now imagine that feeling, but also imagine someone putting a saddle on you, or putting on your lead and expecting you to go out for a run around the back garden. Sound nice? ABSOLUTELY NOT!

I cannot stress enough the importance of warm ups and keeping your animals warm prior and during exercise.
For horses (primarily if clipped):
- exercise sheets or heat packs to help relieve muscle tension over their backs
- in-hand walk for 10-15 minutes before you jump on to warm up cold muscles or joints
- if you’re lucky enough to own a solarium, 10-15 minutes under there before exercise
- spending 10-15 minutes in walk when your first get on, stretching, making the horse take the contact down and forward, actively moving off the leg to ensure they’re using themselves correctly and warming their muscles and joints sufficiently for exercise

For dogs:
- coats/jumpers or fleeces that cover arthritic joints (as modelled by Ted in his dinosaur pjs ☺️)
- the use of heat packs (if recommended by your vet or physio) over area of tension or injury
- spending 5-10 minutes at the start of your walk on the lead to warm up important muscles and joints before off lead exercise and the same time at the end to cool off, to reduce the risk of inflammation or post exercise discomfort

Just some small changes for the winter months to try and reduce the risk of osteoarthritis flare ups or injury. I’d also recommend getting your animals checked over by a physiotherapist, who can advise you on specific exercises and treatment plans to help your animals this winter ❄️