Nicola Smith Veterinary Physiotherapy

12/09/2025

18/08/2025

5 benefits of doing hill work with your horse to improve your showjumping 🐴 Are you all doing enough? 🥇 🐎

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdCVS3nA/

Check out Nicola smith’s video.

13/08/2025

🧠💥 Noticed twitching along your horse’s back when you brush or palpate it? That’s fasciculation—this isn’t just a reflex. It could signal pain, nerve irritation, or muscle tension. Subtle signs matter. Don’t ignore them. 🐎

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16/06/2025

All go in the clinic this week for the last of the highland show prep 🐴 🥇 🐎

12/06/2025

🌱🌱🌱GRASS GROWTH UPDATE🌱🌱🌱

Take care! Grass growth continues to increase with almost all areas of the UK reporting growth rates as expected or higher than the 2017-2023 average. Take special care if you are in...

🌱Ayrshire
🌱Cheshire
🌱Denbighshire
🌱Dundee
🌱Hampshire
🌱Nottinghamshire
🌱Powys
🌱Wiltshire

Not all fields in the regions with reported high growth may be seeing the same growth. Regional variations will exist due to factors such as soil type, management, watering, grazing, local weather patterns, etc.

If you have horses or ponies who you struggle to manage weight on or who are prone to COLIC or LAMINITIS then please take EXTRA CARE!

26/05/2025

Thanks to all my clients for your patience for last minute changes due to this wee guy appearing last night. Everyone meet Chase 💙

I’ve been a little slow replying to messages but should have gotten back to everyone now. If I’ve missed you or you need an appointment please give me another message.

22/05/2025

Only a Few Spaces Left Before the Highland Show!

Heading to the Highland Show? Make sure your horse is feeling their best! I’ve got just a few physio session slots remaining before the event.

Whether your horse needs a pre-show tune-up, help easing any tightness, or just a once-over to ensure they’re in top condition—get in touch now to book.

Let’s make sure they’re show-ring ready!

PM to book a slot

11/03/2025

*** 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.

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06/03/2025

🏇 Get Your Horse Spring-Ready! 🌱

Competition season is just around the corner—make sure your horse is in peak condition! 💪

🌟 Prevent Injuries
🌟 Boost Performance
🌟 Speed Up Recovery

Spring is the perfect time for a check-up! Don’t wait—book your horse’s physiotherapy session today and set them up for success this season. 🐎✨

📅 DM us to book now!

21/02/2025

It’s been a full on week of salt therapy treatments at the clinic! With the changes in weather and temperature you’ve maybe noticed a little more coughing or snorting in your horses. This can be cause by increased allergens in the air, salt therapy can help alleviate these symptoms by thinning mucous to make breathing clearer. If your horse is affected by this then drop us a message

12/02/2025

✨ Clear Breathing, Healthy Skin, Faster Healing! ✨

Is your horse struggling with dusty environments, asthma, or allergies? Our natural salt therapy is the ultimate game-changer! 🐴💨

✅ Supports respiratory health – combats dust, asthma & seasonal allergies
✅ Aids skin conditions like sweet itch & mud fever
✅ Speeds up wound healing for a faster recovery

Drug-free, safe, and 100% natural – give your horse the care they deserve! 🌿💙

📍 Book a session today & feel the difference!

12/12/2024

SDFT injury pre and post 8 week course of INDIBA. This horse has now returned to hacking and aiming to return to pre injury dressage levels with continued physiotherapy