Claire Ford Veterinary Physiotherapy

30/01/2026

Happy 11th Birthday Bandit Ford!

Still a puppy at heart!❤️

22/01/2026

13/01/2026

Correct saddle fit is fundamental to equine comfort, performance and, above all, welfare. Yet one of the most common, and most misunderstood issues affecting ridden horses is saddle slip.

09/01/2026

05/01/2026

Okay — breaking down one of my most common reasons for physiotherapy treatments.

Often times, owners or riders will say “I feel they’re tight on the left side of their body”. When I ask why, the response is usually “they really struggle on the left rein”.

When a horse struggles to bend either way, it is usually because the side of the horse’s body on the outside of the bend is experiencing dysfunction and tightness.

The outside of the body is then “shortened”, meaning the horse will fall in on turns, &/ find one rein significantly easier than the other. Other symptoms are; difficulty cantering one way, feeling like one of the riders legs is pushed out, poking of the jaw, asymmetrical hoof shape and more.

An important note here is that neither bend will be correct until your horse is symmetrical to bend each way. Just because they’re easier to bend one way, doesn’t mean that the body is actually functional; it will be likely due to the inside of the horse being more contracted and therefore positioned for “bend”.

Skipping over how I treat these cases (I will return at a later time with a post on this!), a few points on how exercises can help horses that experience one sided stiffness (of course after the cause has been investigated, identified and treated!!):

🐴 Instead of forcing the bend, counter flex your horse on their easier rein and yield the ribs inwards. This will help mobilise the ribs on the outside of the body, increasing flexibility and improving straightness.

🐴 Mobilise the pelvis — so many people reach for the neck, but if the pelvis can mobilise symmetrically to each side in quick succession, it can provide a basis for straightness and suppleness. Use transitions & & renvers on a figure of eight, progressing to counterflexing in each transition.

By trying to ask the horse to bend more, you will often be met with more bracing, so instead use gentle mobilisation work to loosen up and improve symmetry and function to both sides of the body.

31/12/2025

2025 over and out!

Great results, new clients, had a baby, welcomed Izzy on board full time and very sadly said good bye to my bestest little buddy, Seth.

I am extremely grateful to all of my fabulous clients who have welcomed Izzy with open arms. I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my little girl knowing your horses are in very good hands.

2026 the year of the horse!

#2025

25/12/2025

This may not be a real Christmas scene but we do wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

We hope you have had a lovely day filled with food, food and more food!

21/12/2025

🥇WINNER🥇Gazette Bourgeoise bolts in by 21 lengths under a great front running ride by jumping well throughout at her favourite track well done to her lovely owner Mr Alex Harvey and all the team at home giving us a nice early Christmas present!🎁

14/12/2025

Naughty or nice list?