http://www.equi-formance.co.uk/

Equi-Formance, Bangor (2025)

23/07/2025

Is your horse struggling with injury recovery or chronic discomfort?

With advanced equine rehab technology, Winback TECAR therapy, we can help them with their recovery.

Whether it’s:
➡️ Soft tissue injury
➡️ Tendon/ligament recovery
➡️ Muscle tightness or fatigue
➡️ Post-competition soreness

Our rehab-focused physiotherapy sessions are tailored to support long-term soundness and performance return.

💥 Winback technology stimulates deep tissue regeneration and pain relief — with visible results in fewer sessions.

📩 DM us to book a rehab assessment!

18/07/2025

🔥 Laminitis isn’t just a foot problem – it’s a whole-horse emergency.

As mentioned in the previous post, Laminitis is the painful inflammation of the sensitive laminae within the hoof.

🧠 Common Causes of Laminitis:
– Metabolic disorders (e.g. EMS, Cushing's/PPID)
– Sudden dietary changes or overconsumption of sugars
– Mechanical overload (e.g. compensating for an injured limb)
– Toxaemia from infections, retained placenta, or systemic illness

It can affect any horse, but especially ponies, overweight horses, or those with underlying metabolic issues.

📉 Early Signs of Laminitis:
– Shifting weight or reluctance to move
– A “rocked back” stance to relieve toe pressure
– Increased digital pulse or heat in the hooves
– Short, choppy strides or a toe-first landing
– Lameness, especially on hard or uneven surfaces

⏱️ Prompt action is critical. Laminitis can progress rapidly, and severe cases can lead to permanent damage or euthanasia.

🧘‍♂️ The Role of Physio in Recovery

Even after the acute phase has passed, horses often develop:
- Muscle compensation patterns
- Stiffness or postural changes
- Loss of confidence or altered movement habits

Physio can help by:
- Supporting whole-body balance
- Easing secondary muscle pain
- Rebuilding safe movement patterns
- Collaborating with the vet and farrier to manage posture and hoof mechanics

🔍 Whole-Horse Wellness:
– Gait and posture assessment
– Environmental and management recommendations
– Collaboration with vets, farriers, and nutritionists

🩺 Laminitis is complex—but manageable with a team approach.

If your horse has a history of laminitis or is showing warning signs, early physiotherapy involvement can improve comfort, mobility, and recovery outcomes.

📩 DM to book a post-laminitis assessment or preventive checkup.

16/07/2025

"He has a 'Touch' of laminitis." 😫

Lets see what happens during laminitis?

Laminitis is the inflammation and weakening of the laminae — the sensitive, interlocking tissues that connect the hoof wall to the pedal (coffin) bone. These tissues are like Velcro, holding the internal structures of the hoof in place.

When laminitis occurs:

🧬 1. Inflammation and Breakdown
The blood supply to the laminae is disrupted, often due to systemic inflammation, toxins, or hormonal imbalances (like insulin resistance or Cushing’s).
The laminae become inflamed, swollen, and begin to weaken or die (necrosis).
This compromises their ability to suspend and support the pedal bone inside the hoof capsule.

🔽 2. Separation and Rotation
As the laminae fail, the connection between the hoof wall and pedal bone weakens.
The deep digital flexor tendon pulls the pedal bone backward and downward (because it’s no longer being held in place).

This can lead to:
- Rotation of the pedal bone (most common)
- Sinking of the bone (more severe – known as “founder”)
- Perforation of the sole (in extreme cases)

This stage is painful and can be catastrophic if not addressed immediately.

It was once described to me as "imagine standing on your middle fingers and your nail slowly pulling away right down to your nail bed". Now this doesn't sound to me like a "touch" of laminitis.

I will create another post on how physiotherapy can help your laminitic friend 🐴

14/07/2025

📌 Muscle Focus: Thoracic Portion of the Trapezius

The trapezius muscle in the horse is divided into two parts:
- Cervical trapezius (originates from the neck)
- Thoracic trapezius (originates from the thoracic vertebrae)

Together, they form a fan-shaped muscle that inserts onto the scapular spine.

🔹 It originates from the supraspinous ligament (along the withers) and inserts on the scapular spine (the bony ridge on the shoulder blade) and plays a key role in elevating and stabilising the shoulder blade, assisting with limb movement.

➡️ Main Functions:
- Stabilises and elevates the scapula
- Assists with forelimb retraction and upward motion
- Coordinates with surrounding muscles like latissimus dorsi and rhomboideus

❗ When Dysfunctional, You Might See:
- Reduced freedom through the shoulder
- Hollowing through the thoracic back
- Tightness or atrophy behind the withers
- Asymmetrical movement or saddle slipping
- Aversion to grooming or touch around the withers

🧠 Common Causes:
- Ill-fitting saddles
- Prolonged static posture or restricted turnout
- Poor posture or lack of engagement during work
- Secondary to hindlimb issues (compensatory pattern)

🔍 Therapy Focus:
- Soft tissue release and stretching across the withers and scapula
- Dynamic mobilisation (e.g., baited stretches, raised pole work)
- Corrective groundwork to improve topline use
- Postural retraining and saddle fit reassessment

09/07/2025

“It’s just a bit of swelling…” – or is it?

Tendon and ligament injuries in horses are more common than we think—and early signs are often subtle. Left untreated, these injuries can escalate and require months of rest and rehab.

🧠 What are Tendons and Ligaments?
Tendons connect muscle to bone, while ligaments connect bone to bone. They play a critical role in stabilising joints and absorbing shock during movement—especially in the legs.

Because they don’t receive a strong blood supply, healing is slow—and re-injury is common without proper care.

📉 Early Signs of Strain or Injury:
– Puffiness or localised swelling along the leg (often lower limb)
– Heat or sensitivity to touch after work
– Slight or intermittent lameness, especially after exercise
– Change in gait rhythm or stride length
– Horse seeming “off” but not acutely lame

If your horse “just doesn’t feel quite right,” listen to that instinct—minor strains caught early are easier to manage.

🛠️ How Equine Physio Supports Recovery & Prevention:

🔹 Controlled Rehab Planning:
We tailor structured programs that gradually reintroduce movement and load—critical for safe tendon/ligament healing.

🔹 Manual Therapy & Modalities:
Techniques like massage, myofascial release, cold therapy, or laser/Winback/therapeutic ultrasound can reduce inflammation and support tissue repair.

🔹 Strengthening & Stability Training:
Progressive exercises help prevent re-injury by rebuilding the supporting structures around the affected area.

🔹 Biomechanical Assessment:
We’ll look at the horse’s overall posture, movement, and conformation to address root causes (e.g., poor hoof balance, asymmetry).

🩺 Why It Matters:
Ignoring even a small strain can lead to chronic injury or breakdown. Tendons and ligaments need time, support, and professional care to heal properly.

If you're unsure, always consult with your vet!

Have a horse recovering from an injury?👇🏻

📩 DM to schedule or ask questions!

07/07/2025

📌 Muscle Focus: Subclavius

The subclavius in the horse is part of the pectoral muscle group, although not present in all species (including dogs—it’s either absent or vestigial). It originates from the sternum and inserts onto the fascia of the shoulder region (supraspinatus area).

🔹 It functions primarily as a stabiliser of the shoulder and forelimb, especially important in absorbing impact and balancing the trunk over the forelimbs.

🔹 Plays a supportive role during forward motion and in weight-bearing, particularly in high-level performance or collected work.

➡️ Healthy Function Supports:

- Proper scapular positioning
- Shoulder stability
- Effective forelimb retraction and propulsion

❗ Dysfunction Signs in Horses:
- Tension or restriction in shoulder movement
- Uneven front-end loading (especially noticeable in collection or tight turns)
- Resistance in forelimb protraction
- Difficulty with saddle fit (due to fascial restriction in the shoulder region)

🧠 Common Causes:
- Incorrect saddle fit (too narrow or pinching at the shoulder)
- Repetitive loading or poor biomechanics
- Fascial restrictions due to trauma or compensation

🔍 Therapy:
- Forelimb mobilisations
- Dynamic shoulder range-of-motion exercises
- Saddle assessment is a must!

03/07/2025

These are Olivia's remaining appointments for July!
Olivia commonly covers Down, Armagh, and Antrim... though travels all over Northern Ireland for 3 or more horses🐴
To get in touch, message the page directly or connect with us through the Equigate app using our code 460134📲

02/07/2025

💥 Is Your Horse Showing Signs of Stifle Discomfort?

The stifle joint is one of the most important and complex joints in a horse’s body. It’s similar to the human knee and plays a key role in movement, strength, and balance—especially during transitions, collection, and jumping.

🧠 Signs Your Horse May Have a Stifle Issue:
– ❗ Dragging the hind toes—especially on harder ground
– ❗ Reluctance to pick up or maintain canter, particularly one lead
– ❗ Sticky or unbalanced transitions (e.g. trot to canter, or halt to trot)
– ❗ Hesitation on circles or uneven ground
– ❗ Swelling or heat around the stifle area (in more advanced cases)

If these sound familiar, your horse may be compensating for discomfort—and that can lead to secondary issues in the back, hocks, or SI joint if left unaddressed.

🛠️ How Physiotherapy Helps

💪 Targeted Strengthening:
We focus on key muscles like the quadriceps and glutes to support and stabilise the stifle. This improves joint alignment and function.

🧘 Mobilisation & Stretching:
Gentle, controlled movements help maintain full range of motion and reduce soft tissue tension around the joint.

⚖️ Balance & Proprioception Training:
Using poles, balance pads, hill work, and other rehab tools, we help retrain the neuromuscular system—essential for injury prevention and performance.

🩺 Don’t wait for the problem to worsen.
Stifle issues can often be managed conservatively with the right combination of physiotherapy, exercise modification, and support.

📆 Book a physio assessment today and let’s get your horse feeling stronger and more comfortable.

📩 Send us a message to book in.

01/07/2025

🗓️ Some appointments with Caroline in July.

These are only for Current clients of Caroline.

However if you are interested in booking an appointment with Equi-Formance, Olivia will be able to accommodate you. Her dates and areas will go up on Thursday this week 😃

To Book, either download the Equigate App or Message us on Facebook.

01/07/2025

Struggling with rhythm or straightness in your schooling? 😫

Try this polework layout from my new eBook! 👇

🔹 Simple Equilateral Triangle
🔹 Great for improving straightness + engagement
🔹 Use at walk, trot or canter!

This is just ONE of 11+ creative layouts inside the Polework eBook 🐴💥
Want more inspiration and exercises?
👉 Get the whole Ebook NOW on my Website!

30/06/2025

📌 Muscle Focus: Brachiocephalicus

This long, strap-like muscle runs from the base of the skull and cervical vertebrae down to the humerus (upper front leg). It plays a crucial role in:

🔹 Advancing the forelimb
🔹 Flexing the neck laterally
🔹 Assisting in stabilising the neck during movement

➡️ When functioning correctly, it allows for fluid limb protraction and head/neck mobility—key for balance, stride length, and symmetry in gait.

❗ When dysfunctional, you may see:
- Reduced stride length in the forelimb
- Difficulty with turning or flexing through the poll
- Asymmetrical movement
- Tension in the shoulder or uneven contact under saddle

🧠 Common Causes of Dysfunction:

- Poor saddle fit or girthing pressure
- Compensation for hind-end lameness
- Overdevelopment = a "ewe-necked" appearance.
- Rider-related issues like excessive rein contact or unbalanced riding can also contribute to tension in this muscle.
- Studies have indicated that the way a horse is fed (e.g., using haynets) can impact the sensitivity and tension in the brachiocephalicus.

🔍 Therapy Tip:
Gentle stretching, and dynamic mobilisation exercises (like carrot stretches) can help restore function. Always speak with your vet or physio before starting any stretches with your horse.

Equi-Formance

23/07/2025

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14/07/2025

09/07/2025

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30/06/2025

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