East Coast Equine Physiotherapy

27/04/2026

“Locking Stifles” (aka Upward Fixation of the Patella) 👇🏼

A common condition characterised by the patella getting ‘stuck’ and the horse being unable to bend their stifle after it has been straightened. The ability to lock the stifle is essential for the unique evolutionary development, the Stay Apparatus. The inability to ‘unlock’ is where we see problems.

This horse has the classic features - difficulty with smooth movement of the patella to bend the stifle in weight bearing and over flexion in trot up. What you can’t see - markedly reduced muscle bulk in the quadriceps and inflammation around the patella ligaments.

Causes of this condition can be non-modifiable (genetic or developmental issues of laxity in the medial patella ligament) or can be strength related (insufficiency of the quadriceps to unhook the medial patellar ligament).

Treatment can consist of manual therapy, strengthening and proprioceptive exercises, however these cases often require veterinary intervention such as injections into the ligaments or surgery.

16/04/2026

Presenting: East Coast Alpaca Physio 🦙

Madi has been working with this sweet girl Freya over the past 8 weeks following one of the most impressive fractures Madi has ever seen. Full case study coming soon!

12/03/2026

Do horses enjoy dry needling?? 🪡

Generally, yes! Majority of horses I treat love it!

As with all treatment modalities there are some who don’t tolerate it (there are some who don’t even tolerate massage), so the choice to use dry needling is always considered in line with the horse in front of me, their physical assessment findings and the goals of their treatment.

Any questions about dry needling? Drop them in a comment 👇🏼 or send me a DM 📩

16/02/2026

30/01/2026

Dry needling 🪡 of the gluteals and lumbar epaxials

27/11/2025

You’ve never seen a horse enjoy cupping more 🥹

For this Sweeney shoulder rehab we’re using a combination of nerve stimulation techniques (EMS, acupuncture) and facial release techniques (cupping, mobilisations). Slowly but surely seeing improvement!

20/11/2025

HORSES TALK!!

Horses are some of the best communicators - if you know how to listen.

This mare is a regular of mine with a history of back pain. Although her symptoms are mostly resolved now, she still has some behaviours as she anticipates something may cause pain (similar to central sensitisation theory in humans). It’s a great demonstration that horses aren’t always naughty, they’re trying to tell you something!

18/11/2025

PROPRIOCEPTIVE TAPING

This taping technique was applied to help with some hypersensitivity issues following a history of chronic back pain symptoms. The tape acts to improve blood flow and circulation in the area by creating tiny pressure gradients on the skin, as well as influence the proprioceptive input into the brain to reduce pain sensitivity.

16/11/2025

WHAT’S MISSING?

If we observe this shoulder/elbow, you may notice that something doesn’t look quiiiiiite right. There is significant muscle atrophy - can you name the muscle? (Bonus points for naming the correct head of it - hint 😉)

07/07/2025

Lameness observation time! Can you pick it? 👀
(Answers in next post).

This is Athena - she’s had a consistent lameness after a mysterious paddock accident late last year. After her initial physio assessment, she was sent straight to the vets for diagnostics (we have a working diagnosis and she’s improved massively with the vet’s intervention combined with our rehab plan).

Video 1: trot up asphalt in May (pre-vet intervention)
Video 2: trot up asphalt in July (post-vet intervention)
Video 3: trot up sand in July
Video 4: left rein lunge in July

Can you pick the lameness? And what’s your diagnosis? Let us know in the comments 👇🏼

17/06/2025

Availability for next week! Contact Madi on 0437 739 207 to book.

06/06/2025

Spot the SDFT thickening 👀

This gorgeous boy retired from racing with a partial SDFT tear at the end of last year. He has such a dedicated owner who is completing his rehab religiously with goals to return to riding. Stay tuned for a case study later this year!