Hot2Trot Veterinary Physiotherapy by Yasmin Willerton

05/10/2025

What am I up to now 🙈🫣

Day 2 of the Level 4 Sports Massage for Physio and Sports Therapy students is about to kick off👏🏻🙌🏻

Be adding in a little something to support riders before you know it 😎

26/09/2025

📚 Saddle Fit Matters More Than You Think!

As a veterinary physiotherapist, one of the most common issues I see isn’t lameness or injury starting in the limbs — it’s discomfort caused by a saddle that is overdue a fitting!

👉 Here’s why it matters:

1️⃣ Muscle Health
A saddle that’s too tight or bridges can create pressure points, leading to muscle atrophy, soreness, and uneven development.

2️⃣ Movement & Performance
Restricted shoulders = shorter stride. Pressure over the thoracic spine = hollow backs. When the saddle isn’t right, the horse can’t move freely or build correct muscle.

3️⃣ Behaviour Under Saddle
Bucking, rushing, refusing to go forward, tail swishing, or ear-pinning aren’t always “naughty” behaviours — often, they’re pain signals.

4️⃣ Rehabilitation Impact
For horses recovering from injury, saddle fit can make or break your rehab plan. The wrong pressure in the wrong place can undo weeks of careful physiotherapy.

✅ Pro tip:
Check your saddle fit every 6–12 months. Horses change shape with training, age, weight gain/loss, and seasonal muscle changes — your saddle should change with them.

For a young horse or a horse in rehabilitation work, go to every 3 months! Some horses I’ve seen have changed shape dramatically in 4-6 weeks ⭐️

When the saddle fits, the horse can:
💪 Build topline correctly
🐎 Move with freedom and power
😊 Stay comfortable, happy, and willing

Because a well-fitting saddle isn’t just tack — it’s therapy in motion.

Gatsby had his done last week - Are you due your saddle check? 😉

25/09/2025

Been a busy couple of weeks lately 🙈

Evening CPD has also started, because studying to include human physiotherapy isn’t enough.

I’ve started studying towards my BHS stages; particularly towards the Coaching side.

Think this will be amazing for my personal development and eventually those horse rider interaction clinics to really harness where you can strengthen and how to bring out the best potential in you all.

15/09/2025

Busy weekend treating horses this weekend 🙌🏻🙌🏻 🐴

Every couple of weekends I like to be able to provide full treatment days because I know how hard it is to fit appointments in around working schedules and of course my ever exciting progress through uni to get ready to treat you lot as well, of which you’re all always like “me please” 😆🙋🏼‍♀️🙋🏽

My job is always rewarding - But I always feel super fulfilled when it’s a particular “problem” behaviour, head shy, or horse with a “history”.

Meeting these horses shapes so much about your career and your management in every single case once you’ve done the Continuous Professional Development.

For example over the past 10 years of practise, because of these horses did you know I’ve done courses in:

🔸Myofascial release
🔹Craniosacral therapy
🔸Release of the Muscles of the head, jaw and hyoid apparatus.
🔹Postural release techniques.

But it’s never an exhaustive list and you’re always learning - That’s just a handful of courses I’ve done to understand horses 🙈

On Sunday I added 2 more beautiful horses to my client list that are rescues from Malta. Rescues are particularly rewarding to work with, to unpack issues whilst gaining their trust is amazing.

Always grateful to every client that trusts me on their horses journey 💖

Spaces on my books are available for anyone wanting to book in 🙌🏻

13/09/2025

When your working and you get a little assistance 🙈😂

11/09/2025

One highly suspicious dog! 🐶
Back home from her trip to the vets for lots of cuddles from vet nurses 🫣

The x-rays are taken but the vets would like to send them off to a specialist for a second opinion.
There is some arthritis there but it’s odd that she improves on antibiotics and gets worse again once they stop..

So now we have a long weekend to wait for them to be reviewed, but she’s got pain relief, antibiotics and her teddy bear… And she might eventually eat that chew after a nap 🙊

11/09/2025

Poppets having x-rays today for a worsening limp she’s had.
She’s had the sleepy dog cocktail last night and this morning because she gets so stressed at the vets….

So of course now she’s laid smugly on my knee waiting her turn and eyeballing all of her usual vets 🙄🙈

Nothing but trust in that Clee Vets will do a brilliant job. But so far Poppet has made it so awkward 🤣
3rd time lucky 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

09/09/2025

The difference muscle release, soft tissue mobilisation and stretching can make on a shoulder positioning!

The shoulder is a complex joint in both horses and humans. In humans it is known as a ball and socket joint, featuring your shoulder blade, collar bone and ribs.

Check out the pictures below to see just how many muscles feed into and around your horses shoulder!

It is not quite the same in horses as they have don’t have a collar bone! Although it still fundamentally is a ball and socket joint - It is limited to flexion and extension (forwards and backwards).
The evolution to have no collar bone means they can get a longer stride and take those high impact jumps without problem!

Because of this, it relies heavily on muscles to keep the shoulder blade in its correct location - And when muscle tightness sets in, we see a classical patterning of a “dropped” shoulder.

This little chap will no go forwards into rehab - it’s vital to get the horse as straight as possible through the muscles for the correct muscles to fire when doing your rehab!

If your horse or pony is
🔸 Struggling to canter on a particular lead
🔹 Feels “wooden” and unpleasant on a particular diagonal.
🔸 Is trailing a forelimb over a jump.
🔹 Has started Tripping
🔸Feels unlevel in the hand and contact

Then you too, might have a shoulder asymmetry and the shoulder muscles might be working against you!

08/09/2025

08/09/2025

From 5* to unaffiliated showjumping - All in a weekend with horses 🐴

Like most of the equestrian world - My weekend has been dedicated to watching Burghley Horse Trials this weekend on Burghley TV and what a watch it was!

A gruelling undulating cross country track proved difficult for even the best in the world with show stopping run outs, and then a masterclass provided by Lincolnshires own Ros Canter really made for worthwhile watching.

What made this weekend so good for me I’ve had clients competing unaffiliated showjumping, Home Nations in Dressage, and one at Burghley 5* jumping clear round that tough cross country track!

Inspired by it all, I took Gatsby to an unaffiliated showjumping class to pop round a small 70cm course. He was spooky and the lines were tight for a big old lad so he had some fences down. But his mindset and mentality is really coming on to trust his rider and to remain calm. Which is a huge step!

So no matter your level of riding or your horses goals - will have your back and understands every aspect of your needs 😉

Services include:
🔸 Condition monitoring with regular “MOT” sessions
🔹 Strengthen and conditioning programmes
🔸 Discomfort relief - Solve those problem behaviours!
🔹 Performance enhancement
🔸 Pre-competition checks - Ready to get your best scores yet?!
🔹 Post-competition checks - Back to peak performance faster 💪🏻
🔸Prehabiltation - Stop those niggles in their tracks and build strength (Save on your vet 💸)
🔹 Rehabilitation - Working with many local vets including Hill and Phelan vets at their clinics at New Farm Equestrian to come up with comprehensive care post those unfortunate injuries.
🔸 Working with the best coaches, saddle fitters, dentists, farriers and vets including Lincolnshire for your full package.
🔹 Completely holistic approach for all your and your horses needs.

⭐️🐴 Here’s your opportunity to get on the books now before they close again to New Clients!! 🐴 ⭐️

28/08/2025

Doggy physiotherapy 🐶

🔹Improves joint mobility.
🔸Increases muscle strength through exercise.
🔹Enhances core stability.
🔸Bonding time with your pup 😍

27/08/2025

Why riders should be cross training 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏋️‍♂️ 🧘‍♀️

Super pleased to be picking up the weights this morning after almost 6 weeks off with a shoulder impingement injury.

I believe all riders should do some form of off horse training whether it be cardio, yoga, Pilates or weights. The most important part is that it’s something you enjoy - The more you enjoy it, the more consistent you’ll be ✅

1️⃣ Improves Core Strength & Stability
* A strong core = better balance and posture in the saddle.
* Helps you stay centered, absorb movement, and avoid relying too much on the reins or stirrups.
2️⃣ Enhances Leg Strength & Endurance
* Essential for maintaining leg position and applying consistent aids.
* Stronger legs reduce fatigue during long rides or schooling sessions.
3️⃣ Boosts Upper Body Control
* Strength in your back, shoulders, and arms helps you maintain a stable frame without becoming stiff.
* Prevents slouching or collapsing through the torso, especially over jumps or in extended gaits.
4️⃣ Improves Symmetry & Muscle Balance
* Riders often develop muscle imbalances (e.g., one leg stronger than the other).
* Weight training helps correct asymmetries, improving how evenly you ride and how your horse responds.
5️⃣ Reduces Risk of Injury
* Strengthens tendons and ligaments to help protect joints during falls or dismounts.
* Builds resilience to repetitive stress injuries from riding and barn chores.
6️⃣ Supports Mental Focus
* Resistance training improves mental discipline and body awareness — both crucial in riding.

🟣 You don’t need to lift heavy weights always - But you’ll be amazed if you keep it consistent what your body can do.

🟢 Muscles respond to load not the number at the end of the weights.

🔵 3 sessions per week is absolutely fine to fit in around your lifestyle, just remember to progress your exercises when it feels like it’s easy!

My typical week now that I’m back on form:
🔸Riding 4-5x
🔹Weights 2-3x
🔸Pilates 2x

🟡 Every weight session is consistent, with goals of core strengthening, improving posture and working on knee and ankle stability 🟡