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Melinda - Velvet Equine Veterinary Physiotherapy

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Stroud
Melinda - Velvet Equine Veterinary Physiotherapy

Qualified and Insured, Equine Veterinary Physiotherapist (BSc) & Myofacial Release Therapist. Plus Core Strength & Rehabilitation. IAAT accredited. Ani. Phys.

Covering Stroud and Surrounds. Assessment and Treatment £60. Melinda de Smidt BSc TCAP Dip. IAAT

I am a fully qualified and insured Animal Physiotherapist and Equine Sports Massage Therapist. Registered with the International Association of Animal Therapists, covering an area about a 20 mile radius of Stroud. I grew up being involved with horses and studied for an Equine Science Degree in the US,

while running a busy breeding, livery and teaching yard. In the UK I have worked on polo, eventing and dressage yards, and very much enjoy bringing on youngsters. In 2019 I completed my training in Equine Sports Massage at The College of Animal Physiotherapy Ltd. and went on to do the Animal Physiotherapy Qualification, which I passed with distinction. I am keenly interested in equine rehabilitation and so continue my studies with that aim. With over 20 years experience with horses I am passionate about helping your horse to feel good in its skin, and be able to do their job happily and well. A maintenance treatment is £50 and lasts about an hour. During the treatment I will use whatever therapeutic modalities I feel are appropriate for your horse's needs. Rehabilitation prices will depend on time and treatment needed.

22/04/2026

🐴 Building a topline, it’s not just about work

A well-developed topline isn’t just about how a horse looks, it reflects how they’re using their body.

If a horse is struggling to build or maintain topline, it can be linked to:
• underlying discomfort or tension
• poor posture or movement patterns
• saddle fit
• lack of correct muscle engagement

Simply riding more won’t fix it if the body isn’t able to work correctly.

Physio helps by addressing restrictions, improving comfort, and guiding the right exercises so your horse can actually build strength in the right way.

If your horse is finding it hard to develop topline, it’s always worth looking a bit deeper 💛🐴

12/04/2026

🐴 Naughty… or trying to tell you something?

When a horse starts refusing jumps, resisting the contact, or becoming unsettled under saddle, it’s easy to think “behaviour problem.”

But often, it’s the horse’s way of saying something doesn’t feel right.

Discomfort can show up as:
• napping or reluctance to go forward
• tail swishing or ear pinning
• inconsistent contact
•changes in performance
• resistance in transitions

Before labelling it as naughtiness, it’s always worth considering whether there’s an underlying physical cause.

Physio can help identify areas of tension or restriction and get your horse feeling more comfortable, relaxed, and willing again.

If your horse’s behaviour has changed, I’m always happy to chat 💛🐴 #💛🐴

02/04/2026

✨ Sunday Equine Physiotherapy Appointments Available ✨
I know how tricky it can be to fit everything in around work, so I’m now offering Sunday afternoon slots for equine physiotherapy in Gloucestershire 🐴

Whether your horse needs help with performance, recovery, or just a maintenance check, I’ve got a few spaces available to make things a little easier.

Drop me a message to book or find out more. I’d love to help keep your horses feeling and performing their best! 💜 Melinda.

12/03/2026

He’s just clumsy…or is he?

Occasional tripping can happen, but repeated stumbling is often a sign of discomfort.

Common causes include:
• Shoulder restriction
• Poll or neck tension
• Hindquarter weakness
• Hoof imbalance
• Reduced proprioception

It’s rarely “just laziness.” The body may be struggling to coordinate comfortably.

If your horse has started tripping more than usual, it’s always worth investigating early. Please do message to get your horse booked in. 💛🐴

23/02/2026

Just like us, horses aren’t perfectly symmetrical but noticeable differences in muscle shape, shoulder height, or how they stand can tell us a lot.

You might see:
• one rein always harder
• saddle slipping to one side
• uneven sweat marks
• one hind stepping shorter
• difficulty bending in one direction

Often this isn’t a training issue, it’s a comfort issue. The body adapts around tight or weak areas, creating patterns that won’t improve until the restriction is addressed.

Physio helps identify the cause, release the restriction, and give exercises to rebuild balanced movement.

If your horse feels different left vs right, it’s always worth investigating 🐴💛

06/02/2026

🥕 Stretching — helpful or harmful?

Carrot stretches are great… when done correctly.
But asking a horse to stretch past its current comfort can actually create more tension instead of relieving it.

A good stretch should be slow, controlled, and symmetrical — never forced or pulled. If your horse snatches the treat, braces, or swings through the shoulders, they may be compensating rather than improving flexibility.

Physio can assess what stretches your horse actually needs and show you how to do them safely so they support strength and comfort, not strain.

If you’d like a tailored stretch plan for your horse, just drop me a message 🐴💛

19/01/2026

🐴 Is your horse’s back as comfortable as it could be?

The back does a huge job — carrying the rider, compensating for hoof, saddle, and dental changes, and absorbing day-to-day slips and wobbles. When it becomes sore, you might see hollowing, reluctance to go forward, bucking when asked to canter, or difficulty lifting through the topline.

Physio can help by releasing tight musculature, improving spinal mobility, checking compensations, and using Indiba to support deeper tissue relaxation and recovery.

If your horse has felt a bit “not quite right” through the back recently, I’m always happy to chat. 💛

16/01/2026

✨ Indiba — supporting deeper relaxation & recovery

Indiba is a gentle radiofrequency therapy that helps increase circulation, reduce soreness, and support tissue repair making it especially useful for tight backs, sacroiliac discomfort, and areas that struggle to fully relax with manual work alone.

Many horses show softer movement, improved flexibility, and a calmer, more settled response during treatment, as the tissues warm and tension releases from deeper layers.

If you’d like to find out whether Indiba could benefit your horse, just pop me a message — always happy to chat. 🐴💛

13/01/2026

🐴 Poll tension — a small area with a big influence

The poll is a key junction for balance, posture, and relaxation. When this area becomes tight, you may notice head-tilting, reluctance to flex, resistance in the contact, or tension travelling down the neck and back.

Physio can help release soft-tissue tension around the poll and upper neck, improve comfort through the TMJ and cervical joints, and with Indiba, encourage deeper relaxation and better movement.

If you think your horse may be a little tight through the poll, feel free to get in touch for a chat or appointment. 💛

10/01/2026

🍑 The powerhouse — why the hindquarters matter

The hindquarters are the engine of the horse. Tightness here can show up as loss of impulsion, reluctance to step under, or difficulty with transitions and hill work — even if the issue doesn’t look like it’s coming from behind.

Through targeted soft-tissue work, mobilisation, exercises, and Indiba, physio helps restore strength, comfort, and symmetry through this key area.

If you’d like your horse checked, I’m always happy to chat. 🐴✨

07/01/2026

❄️ Winter stiffness — small signs to look out for

With the colder weather, lots of horses are feeling a little tighter than usual. If you notice shortened stride, “cold-backed” behaviour when mounting, or stiffness that only eases after warming up, it may be a sign their muscles are working harder than normal.

Physio (and tools like Indiba) can help warm tissues, reduce tension, and keep your horse comfortable through winter. If you’re unsure whether your horse might benefit, just pop me a message. 🐴💛

04/01/2026

🎉 Happy New Year to all my wonderful clients and your amazing horses! 🐴💛

Thank you so much for your support over the past year. It’s been a real privilege to help keep your horses comfortable, happy, and moving at their best, whether they’re competition partners, golden oldies, or much loved field companions.

Here’s to a new year of healthy bodies, soft backs, relaxed movement, and plenty of happy hacks, training milestones, and muddy cuddles along the way. I’m really looking forward to working with you and your horses in the year ahead.

If you’d like to get your horse booked in for a New Year check-up or winter MOT, just drop me a message, I’m always happy to help. ✨

Wishing you all a brilliant year ahead.
Melinda 🐴

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Stroud
GL6

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