Hilton Berry Animal Physiotherapy

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Hilton Berry Animal Physiotherapy

Jemima Hilton-Berry
Animal Physiotherapist covering Sussex and Kent
Treating Equines and Canines for all things musculoskeletal!

I am a fully qualified and insured Animal Physiotherapist based in Bexhill, East Sussex, covering the areas of Sussex, Kent, Surrey and Hampshire. I treat all animals, large and small, and a wide range of conditions from arthritis and other joint diseases, to fractures, tendon and ligament damage, soft tissue injury, skin conditions and wounds to name a few. For further info or to book a treatment for your animal, please feel free to message or call me.

15/04/2026

Walking on a loose rein isn't just a "relaxed" moment; it's an important part of your horse's work 🏇🏼

It allows:

✔️ The back to relax and lift

✔️ The neck to stretch naturally

✔️ Muscles to warm up and cool down effectively

Without this, tension can build up and affect how your horse moves throughout the session.

Giving your horse time on a loose rein supports both comfort and performance 🤗

13/04/2026

I've recently had a few people ask me about the difference between an "Animal Physiotherapist" and a "Veterinary Physiotherapist" 👇🏼

The simple answer is, there isn't a difference in terms of qualifications.

Both titles are used within the industry and both refer to professionals trained in physiotherapy for animals.

What's most important is that your physiotherapist is:
✔️ Properly qualified
✔️ Insured
✔️ Working within their professional scope
✔️ Working alongside your vet when required

The title used often comes down to personal preference rather than a difference in ability or standard of care.

If you're ever unsure, don't hesitate to ask about qualifications. A good therapist will always be happy to explain 🤗

10/04/2026

A real mixed bag of cases today, my favourite kind of day 🥰

🐴 Harry - a new horse for a checkover/MOT

🐶 Wilf - an elderly arthritic regular maintenance session

🐶 Toby - maintenance for one of my neurological cases

🐴 Benny - maintenance for one of my older horses to keep him strong and supple in his senior years

🐶 Shadow - week 4 post-op rehab session (TPLO surgery)

08/04/2026

🤢 It's that time of year 🤢

I've started to see ticks appearing on some of my clients again, both horses and dogs.

Make sure you check your animals thoroughly each day; they tend to be attracted to warm areas like armpits and the groin, but I have found them throughout the whole body.

If not removed correctly, they can cause infection, so make sure to get yourself a proper tick removal tool like pictured (they're inexpensive).

02/04/2026

So proud of these two 🥰

They've come on so much together, it's amazing to watch their relationship develop ❤️

First time popping a little jump for Henry since his accident almost 2 years ago, and he was such a good boy 😇

Just a little mishap when he got a tad over excited 🤭(swipe for the blooper 🙈🤣)

01/04/2026

Tail lifts are one of the simple techniques I often use to help horses engage their core and support their back 🐎

When performed correctly they can:
✅ Encourage activation of the abdominal muscles
✅ Support the spine and pelvis
✅ Help reduce tension through the back
✅ Improve overall posture

This can be particularly useful for horses who struggle to work through the back or feel tight in their top line.

⚠️ Like all exercises, they should be tailored to the individual horse and done carefully and correctly.

📩 Message me if you'd like guidance on using this safely with your horse (07851357764)

30/03/2026

The hindlimbs are the engine of the horse 🐎

They are responsible for:
💪🏼 Power
💪🏼 Propulsion
💪🏼 Engagement

When hind limb function is reduced, you might see:
😩 Loss of impulsion
😩 Difficulty in transitions
😩 Toe dragging
😩 Uneven muscle development

Often the issue isn't just in the leg itself; it can be linked to the back, pelvis, or overall biomechanics.

Everything is connected, and as a physio I look at the whole picture to get to the bottom of what is going on 🤓📝

Get in touch if something is "a bit off" with your horse's way of going 📱

26/03/2026

Abdominal tension in horses is something I see far more often than people realise 👀

The abdominal muscles play a key role in supporting the back and overall movement, so when they're tight or restricted it can have a wider impact.

Commom causes may include:

👉🏼 Compensation from back or hind limb discomfort
👉🏼 Poor posture or lack of core engagement
👉🏼 Saddle fit issues
👉🏼 Changes in workload
👉🏼 Previous injury

Effects you might notice:

😖 Reduced ability to lift through the back
😖 Stiffness or resistance in work
😖 Shortened stride
😖 Difficulty engaging the hind end
😖 Changes in behaviour or performance

In this video, I'm working to release tension and improve comfort through the abdominal muscles (you can see from this lovely boy's face how much he appreciates it!) 🥰

Addressing this area can make a big difference to how your horse moves and feels under saddle!

If you're noticing similar signs, drop me a message to have a chat 📱 (07851357764)

24/03/2026

Want to support your horse's core?

With the following three exercises:

🐎 Lumbar lift

🐎 Pelvic tilt

🐎 Abdominal lift

You can help improve strength, posture and overall comfort 💪🏼

Small exercises = big difference 😍

Save this to try later and let me know how you get on!

23/03/2026

Name me a better smell 😍

That's right, you can't.

IYKYK 🤣

19/03/2026

🌱 Spring is one of the busiest times for physio for a good reason...

If you're:

🐴 Increasing workload

🐶 Planning competitions

🐴 Noticing small changes

🐶 Wanting peace of mind

A physio check can help set your horse/dog up for the season ahead 🙌🏼

Message to book or if you have any questions📱(07851357764)

17/03/2026

🏇🏼🐾PROPRIOCEPTION🐾🏇🏼

Proprioception is basically body awareness; awareness of where the body is and how it is moving in relation to it's environment.

This is vital for motor skills, balance and coordination, and spatial awareness.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT FROM A PHYSIO'S POINT OF VIEW?

From an equine perspective (although almost all the same things are true for a healthy happy dog too), proprioception is essential for tasks like jumping and performing dressage moves, as well as for everyday tasks like navigating uneven terrain or maintaining balance.

🤕Injury Prevention:
Strong proprioception helps horses anticipate and avoid potential injuries by improving balance and coordination.

🏆Athletic Performance:
Improved proprioception can lead to better performance in various disciplines by allowing horses to move more efficiently and effectively.

❤️Overall Health:
Good proprioception contributes to overall health and well-being by enhancing balance, coordination, and body awareness.

WHAT CAUSES POOR PROPRIOCEPTION?

A variety of things can cause proprioceptive defecits including neurological conditions, traumatic injuries and even Vitamin E deficiency.

HOW CAN I IMPROVE PROPRIOCEPTION IN MY HORSE?

-Pole Work
-Varied surfaces
-Backing Up
-Balance Pads
-Massage/stretching
-Obstacle Courses
-Walking through water

📱If your horse (or indeed dog) are in need of some assistance regaining their proprioceptive prowess, drop me a DM with the word "REHAB" to see how I can help 📱💪🏼

Address

Bexhill
TN402AY

Website

http://hiltonberryanimalphysiotherapy.co.uk/

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