Equine Physio UK

09/09/2025

As an equine physiotherapist, no two days are the same—and that’s exactly how I like it. One moment I’m easing tension in a high-performance race horse’s back, and the next I’m applying manual therapy techniques to a surprisingly wriggly sheep with a sore shoulder (yes, sheep get shoulder issues too!). From muscle release to neuromuscular re-education, I use evidence-based methods 🔬to help a wide variety of animals move freely and comfortably. It’s a unique blend of anatomy, biomechanics, and a fair bit of mud🥾and a large dose of rain ☔️ Honestly, how many people get to say they help horses and sheep feel their best? I’m incredibly lucky to call this science-meets-animal-magic my job!

31/08/2025

BITESIZE DEMOS MAKE FOR DIGESTABLE LEARNING 🦄
Well …. What a HUGE turnout at Coltherd Racing for National Racehorse Week. 😁😁
Hidden Commander stole the show … retired from racing after winning 7 races for the owner and the yard and now stands perfectly as my demo horse. 🦄🦄 A whirlwind tour of the race horse physique and how Physiotherapy fits into this world followed by the bonkers facts ; My heel ;his hock, my wrist; his knee , 350 degrees panoramic vision and heart rate at gallop compared to rest ❤️❤️❤️ plus lots more ….
3 hours in 30 mins of having a great time.
Equine Physio UK

27/07/2025

😍

16/07/2025

A highly informative evening demonstrating the use of an Equine water treadmill in rehabilitation and fitness. Dr Matthias Baumann provided an informative overview based on his many years of experience ( and the positive results ) as a Vet and rehab specialist using water and movement combined. How very lucky are we in the Scottish Borders to have this facility so locally and so professionally equipped. David Reddihough and his wife Katie have filled a lovely , watery gap that a lot of our horses will benefit from.
Many thanks for the invitation and congratulations on this great new venture. 💦🐴
And Mr Red who performed so beautifully in front of the crowd.

Don’t ask me why but the videos separate to the post 🙄

16/07/2025

15/07/2025

As an Equine Physio in the UK 🇬🇧 these highly skilled professionals are the only Dentists I recommend.
Regulated and members of the BRITISH ASSOCIATION of EQUINE DENTAL TECHNICIANS (BAEDT) their high standards , knowledge and up to date training , alongside great horsemanship provide me with the trust I need to let them work on my horses teeth.
Emma Lawrence

01/06/2025

I sometimes look at my cracked skin and gnarled fingers and think 🤔 … thank god I’m not a hand model 🤭 … but things like this ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ make it all worth it. If Mambos happy , then I’m happy. 😃
Riddell

19/05/2025

🏆CAN ANY BREED OF HORSE BECOME A DRESSAGE DIVA ? 🤩🤩
If you prepare your horse both mentally & physically for their specific discipline then YES. You too can maybe have your eyes on reaching the heady heights of Grand Prix dressage. I’ve watched Linda Faulks quietly and sympathetically ( and very smiley ) do just that with her “Clydesdale X “ 🐴, Bentley. Just qualified for inter 1 finals i’m so chuffed to be a small part of his dressage journey.

07/03/2025

How many eyes does it take to be a physio 👀👁️👀
I’m just glad my roots aren’t showing. 😜😜🥴

05/03/2025

My latest article in the BRILLIANT Animal Therapy Magazine deep dives into whether Vibrating plates have a place in equine therapy. Lots of interesting info , facts and some myths … Enjoy 🤓🤓
Animal Therapy Magazine

08/02/2025

THE NEED FOR TURN OUT IS NOT JUST TO EAT🐎

Dr Larry Bramlage , Equine Surgeon at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital Lexington USA has shared his trial and findings into turnout versus 23 hr stabling in the repair of skeletal injuries, wear & tear. Blood supply to distal limbs is good ; it’s their circulation that isn’t. “When blood circulation is inadequate so are the processes that depend on circulation such as bone remodelling “ he says. “the decreased circulatory response due to box rest means the repair and response is inadequate “
8 hrs a day for 60 days to get a 95% recovery.

Equine surgeon Dr. Larry Bramlage says the type and length of turnout a horse gets when healing makes a crucial difference: https://bit.ly/4gpsMnT

10/11/2024

THE ASCENDING PECTORALS.
(Caudal deep pecs) Part of a bigger group known as the thoracic sling but today the ascending pecs take centre stage. Here goes : 🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️
A pair of muscles we probably touch more frequently than any others in our ridden horses yet in my opinion are highly overlooked & often painful. IT IS ( I say It but obvs all muscles come in pairs ) A WHOPPER !! These pecs are large with long fibres and a fairly complicated origin from the sternum , the outside of the abs and the cartilages of the 4th to 9th Rib. It goes forwards, inside the forelimb and inserts close to the shoulder joint. So here it sits , rather like a hammock under the ribs , pulling the leg back relative to the body or moving the body forward relative to the leg. 🤪Not only that ; it’s an adductor too so pulls the leg towards the body. So what do we go and do ??? Stick on a girth of various widths, designs , materials and pull it up as tight as we can to keep the saddle still. 😳 My question is ; What effect is this having on blood flow , stride length , limb placement etc. It has to be directly impacted by the girth .If you think your horse has a shortened forward action of the stride, walks on a tightrope in front , winces when you do up the buckles , feels choppy in deep ground then it may be sore around his pecs. It’s gotta be tiring too working against any tightness. Spare a thought for the pressure we put on here. Ask your physio for some stretches and massages to help relieve any tension here.
Ps. Look at my video of the space and freedom I have over and around the pecs on my horse. It’s not a loose girth , my saddle is perfectly still . It’s an innovative design from WOW saddlers.







Sally Talbot-Smith