BK Veterinary Physiotherapy

05/02/2026

𝐈𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?

Hacking is brilliant for fitness and mental wellbeing, but on its own it can sometimes reinforce compensatory movement patterns.

Adding groundwork or gentle schooling just once a week helps maintain muscle mass, improve symmetry, and encourage correct movement patterns. Simple, well-planned exercises can make a big difference to long-term soundness — without the need for intense schooling.

Think of it as movement maintenance to support your hacking routine 🐴 🩵

04/02/2026

Dedicated horse owners and likeminded professionals 💪 🤝

31/01/2026

Blanketing wet horses ℹ️

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞?

I have seen statements on this subject floating around social media and I felt it was time to step in and set the record straight!

𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞.

For as long as I can remember, this practice has been taboo, you just shouldn’t do it. However, the University of Kentucky came out with an extension publication a few years back on why this generalization is false and I want to share that information with you along with some of my own relevant research.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐰𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐝?

The thought here is that by blanketing a wet horse, you trap the cold water next to their skin, which will actually make them colder. And if this actually happened, I would agree that this practice would be detrimental. However, if you have ever blanketed a wet horse with a blanket that has fill or added insulation, you know that within a matter of hours your horse will be warm and dry again.

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐲?

Well the fill in the blanket will wick away and absorb the moisture and the body heat from the horse will help it evaporate.

𝐇𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬.

The moisture or humidity underneath the blanket could increase the risk of skin conditions or rain rot. As a result, you should change out the blanket as soon as you can to allow the blanket to adequately dry.

Also, if you use a sheet without fill, there is no insulation to absorb the moisture and this practice COULD be problematic. I found this to be true even for a dry horse. Two winters ago I performed research and placed temperature and humidity sensors underneath blankets of different weights including sheets with no fill. During the winter, I found that while the temperature under the sheet was warmer than the environment, the humidity under a rain sheet was far greater than the humidity under medium or heavy weight blankets as there wasn’t any fill to absorb the moisture. This is problematic because when high humidity occurs alongside cold temperatures, it can feel much colder, as humid air conducts heat away from the body faster than dry air. These results demonstrate the value fill can add to a blanket - not only to provide insulation but also to regulate humidity. Based on these factors, I would not recommend blanketing a cold, wet horse with a rain sheet.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Blanketing a dry horse is the gold standard. And if you are able to dry off your horse before you blanket, please do so. However, we know this isn’t always feasible, especially for those who don’t live with their horses or have to deal with unpredictable weather. And in those scenarios, blanketing a horse with a blanket that has fill is a much better option than letting a cold, wet horse shiver.

Cheers!
Dr. DeBoer

30/01/2026

Say hello to Spud and Rolo 🐶 ♥️

30/01/2026

He’s not lame… he’s just not right — especially in winter”

Look at him go! 🩵 Even with his enthusiasm and love for hunting and jumping, Reggie’s owner notices that he struggles a little more in the winter months — stiffer transitions, less swing through the back, and a bit more effort required to move freely.

Cold weather and reduced turnout can highlight subtle differences in horses who have historic weaknesses or underlying issues, like SIJ issues, arthritis, or a hunter’s bump. Regular physiotherapy and consistent movement help him stay strong, confident, and keen — ensuring he and his owner enjoy every ride, every jump, every outing.

Being “not lame” doesn’t always mean completely comfortable. Supporting your horse through the colder movement restrictive months keeps them happy, keen, and performing their best ❄️💪

28/01/2026

As I have recently discovered with my mission to be a better rider, no stirrups is very helpful to combat this 🥴🥵

28/01/2026

𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐲

Lily injured the fibrocartilage in both her hind limbs, which was causing discomfort and explosive behaviour on movement. The vets prescribed extended box rest. Specialised shoeing would have been beneficial to support her hind limbs, but the vets weren’t sure she could tolerate standing for the farrier.

Her owner reached out, and together we made a plan.

Just 9 days later—great news! 💕
𝑳𝒊𝒍 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒘𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍 4 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒂𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅. 𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒎𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕-𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒅. 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒙𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒑𝒆𝒅!

I am so pleased for Lily and her owner. With physio and new shoes she has been able to get in and out the stable to graze 20 minutes a day and hasn’t bolted. A lovely reminder that early physiotherapy, combined with a strong vet and farrier team, can make all the difference in recovery and confidence. 🐴💪

23/01/2026

🐎 Saddle fit & back pain – a timely reminder as seasons change

As we move out of winter and towards spring, it’s a good time to think about something that often gets overlooked: saddle fit.
A saddle that fitted well a few months ago may no longer suit your horse - and subtle changes over winter can have a big impact on comfort and performance.

❄️ Winter weight changes
Many horses gain or lose weight over winter depending on workload, rugging, forage, and management. Changes in:
• topline
• shoulder shape
• rib coverage
can alter how a saddle sits and distributes pressure. A slightly tighter or looser fit can lead to muscle soreness and back pain.

🩺 Signs your horse’s saddle may need checking
Watch out for:
• resistance when being tacked up
• girthiness or ear-pinning
• hollowing, bucking, or reluctance to go forward
• uneven sweat patterns
• back sensitivity when grooming
These are often early signs of discomfort.

✅ What to do
• Have your saddle checked regularly, especially at seasonal changes
• Reassess fit after weight gain, weight loss, or changes in workload
• Monitor your horse’s back and behaviour closely

Comfortable horses move better, perform better, and stay sounder for longer. Seasonal changes in weight and coat mean that saddle fit should not be a “set and forget” decision.
If you’re concerned about your horse’s back, performance, or comfort, our team is always happy to advise. 0808 168 5580. A small check now can prevent a big problem later.

23/01/2026

As part of my horse’s return to work after a prolonged period off, I’ve started the early stages without a bridle. This won’t suit every horse or situation, but it’s been a useful tool for this phase.

Riding bridleless has improved my awareness of my seat, helped keep the work slow and rhythmical, and highlighted asymmetries rather than masking them with the hand. I have had no choice but to listen to my horse and been unable to argue with the level he is telling me we are at. I’ve also been using proprioceptive bands around the abdomen and hindquarters during light work to support body awareness and coordination.

The focus has been on simple things done well — rhythm, clear transitions, pole work, and relaxation — rather than outline or performance. I feel that this has benefitted me, my position, and awareness way more than I realised. What started as abit of fun, I think might become a thing 🩵.

As always, reintroduction to work should be individual, progressive, and horse-centred.

22/01/2026

21/01/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹? It's because digestion starts in the mouth. In order to eat efficiently, everything needs to line up correctly - the grinding surfaces need to align in order to chew and break down their feed and forage.

The horse has muscles to retract the lower jaw, but not to move it forward. When the horse is grazing, their head is down when eating and the lower jaw slips slightly forward. So, for a horse with a well conformed mouth:

▪ The lower jaw slides slightly forward
▪ The upper and lower teeth align correctly
▪ Teeth wear evenly as the horse chews

This position allows the horse to grind forage efficiently, just as nature intended.

When a horse eats with their head raised (for example, from hay nets or high buckets):

▪ The lower jaw slips backwards
▪ Teeth no longer align correctly
▪ Uneven wear of the grinding surface (crown) often causes sharp edges or hooks on the teeth
▪ Horses can experience pain or discomfort in the mouth
▪ Horses may not be able to chew effectively and you may note that they are quidding hay or feed, which can lead to loss of weight and condition

𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿, 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹?
▪ Feed forage from the floor wherever possible. In the field, placing hay or haylage piles on a rubber matted area can help to avoid hay been trodden into poached or muddy areas. This is also beneficial in dry conditions as it can help minimise the ingestion of sand and soil, reducing the risk of sand colic.
▪ Avoid using 'over the door' buckets for feeds. Instead, use a feed bucket at ground level. If your horse has a habit of tipping their feed bucket, simply placing it inside a tyre in the stable can be of great help.
▪ When using compressed grass blocks such as Simple System's Brix, feed them whole and dry from the ground. Avoid hanging them in nets.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲... Feeding from floor level helps maintain correct jaw alignment, promotes more even tooth wear, and supports healthy digestion. Whenever possible, allow your horse eat naturally, as nature intended — head down, teeth aligned, and chewing comfortably.

We also recommend that your horse is seen regularly (every 6 to 12 months) by a qualified Equine Dental Technician. You can find a list of qualified professionals on the BAEDT website.

𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘄 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹?
Your horse may require an easier to manage soaked hay replacer such as Simple System's HayCare or Lucie Fibre Cubes. For free feeding advice contact the Simple System Feed Line on 01728 604 008 or complete the online enquiry form linked in the comments.

19/01/2026

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 🐾💪

Kaia is a young dog with hip dysplasia, using targeted physiotherapy, underwater treadmill therapy (UWTM), and laser therapy, we’ve improved muscle support, joint stability, and overall mobility.

Because of this, we’ve been able to significantly reduce pain relief and Kaia is able to enjoy life as a young dog should, playing with her friends and going out for walks in the countryside . This case is a great example of how movement, strength, and targeted therapy can make a huge difference—even in a dog that was being considered for bilateral hip replacement.

🐶 ♥️ 🐴