http://www.ellieb-vetphysio.com/

Ellie Brassey Veterinary Physiotherapist, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire & surroundings, Swindon Village (2026)

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Wiltshire, Berkshire, Hampshire & Surroundings

22/04/2026

Strength isn’t just built up in anyway, it’s built correctly. 💪🏼

Equine physiotherapy plays a vital role in developing a strong, balanced, and resilient horse. It’s not just for injury recovery, it’s about preventing problems before they start, improving movement, and supporting long-term performance.

By addressing muscle imbalances, posture, and biomechanics, physio helps horses move more comfortably, build correct topline, and perform at their best.

Don’t wait for something to go wrong!
early intervention and regular maintenance can make all the difference.

Invest in their body now, protect their future. 🐎

01/04/2026

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨🚨

I’ve decided to completely rebrand my physiotherapy approach for both 🐴 horses and 🐶 dogs…

Introducing: “Maximum Chaos Therapy™”

✨ New treatment goals include:
• Making everyone as stiff as possible (flexibility is overrated anyway)
• Encouraging wildly unbalanced movement for that “freestyle” look
• Replacing strength work with… absolutely nothing

🐴 Equine programme updates:
• Carrot stretches? ❌ Vegetables are cancelled
• Pole work? ❌ Too structured
• Core work? ❌ Sounds exhausting
• New plan: dramatic field zoomies with multiple self harm injuries followed by standing like a statue

🐶 Canine programme updates:
• Rehab exercises? ❌ Not on my watch
• Controlled lead walks? ❌ Boring
• Strength work? ❌ Hard pass
• New plan: full-speed squirrel chasing & chaotic sofa parkour

💆‍♀️ Treatments now include:
• Ignoring tight muscles
• Calling asymmetry a “quirky feature”
• And doing the exact opposite of what your animal actually needs

📉 Results you can expect:
❌ Less comfort
❌ Less performance
❌ More chaos

😜 FOOLS!

Don’t panic 😱 I will still be focusing on improving comfort, mobility, strength, and keeping your horses and dogs feeling their absolute best 💙

(Although… the zoomies might still be part of the plan 🐶🐴✨) minus injuries please.

27/03/2026

Kinesiology taping is a great supportive tool we often use alongside physiotherapy but it’s important to remember it’s an addition to treatment, not a replacement ✨

In these photos, taping has been applied along the latissimus dorsi and sacroiliac (SI) region, two key areas involved in movement, stability, and performance.

🔹 Latissimus dorsi taping can help support the large back muscle responsible for propulsion, posture, and connection between the forehand and hindquarters. By applying tape here, we can encourage better muscle activation, reduce overcompensation, and promote more efficient movement patterns.

🔹 SI region taping focuses on stability and support around the pelvis. This area is crucial for power transfer from the hindlimbs, and taping can help improve proprioception (body awareness), reduce strain, and support horses that may be weak, compensating, or returning to work.

💡 So what does the tape actually do?
Kinesiology tape works by gently lifting the skin, which can:
• Improve circulation and lymphatic drainage
• Reduce pain and inflammation
• Enhance proprioception and muscle awareness
• Support (but not restrict) movement

✨ However, taping is not a “quick fix” or standalone treatment. It works best as part of a full physiotherapy approach including manual therapy, exercise prescription, and management advice tailored to each horse.

Think of it as that extra layer of support to enhance the results we’re already working towards 💪🐴

If you’re unsure whether taping could benefit your horse, feel free to drop me a message

16/03/2026

🐾 Keeping dogs comfortable, mobile and pain-free is just as important as treating injury.

Canine physiotherapy helps dogs stay comfortable, strong and moving well throughout their lives.

Physiotherapy can help with:

• Arthritis & joint stiffness
• Post-operative rehabilitation (e.g. cruciate surgery)
• Injury recovery
• Muscle strains or soft tissue injuries
• Post veterinary diagnosis
• Neurological conditions
• Maintenance for working or active dogs
• Supporting senior dogs to stay mobile

🔎 Signs your dog may benefit from physiotherapy

• Stiffness when getting up
• Slowing down on walks
• Reluctance to jump or climb stairs
• Lameness or uneven movement
• Behaviour changes or irritability
• Muscle loss
• Difficulty rising or lying down
• Reduced performance in sport or working dogs

Sometimes owners notice their dog just “isn’t quite right” this is often when physiotherapy can help.

🩺 What happens during a physiotherapy session?

Each session begins with a full assessment and clinical reasoning, looking at:

• Movement and gait
• Joint range of motion
• Muscle condition
• Pain responses
• Strength and symmetry

Treatment may include manual therapy, massage, rehabilitation exercises, mobility work and tailored home exercise plans to support recovery and improve mobility.

Physiotherapy aims to reduce pain, improve movement, restore strength and support your dog’s overall wellbeing.

📩 If you think your dog could benefit from physiotherapy, feel free to get in touch.

🐾 Ellie Brassey Veterinary Physiotherapy

doghealth dogmobility workingdoghealth sportdogs seniordogs dogrecovery petphysio animalphysio dogwellness healthyhound

09/03/2026

Introducing youngsters to long reining and light lunging can be a really valuable part of their early development.

As an Equine physiotherapist, I also produce young horses, I often recommend starting with long lines before progressing to lunging. Long reining allows the horse to move forward in a more natural straight line rather than immediately working on a small circle. This reduces unnecessary strain on developing joints, tendons and ligaments, which is especially important in young horses whose musculoskeletal system is still maturing.

Working on two long lines also helps introduce steering, voice aids and contact in a calm and controlled way. It encourages the horse to develop balance, coordination and understanding of the aids before a rider is introduced. From a physiotherapy perspective, this type of work promotes correct posture, engagement of the core muscles and symmetrical muscle development, which supports long-term soundness.

Once a youngster understands the aids and has begun to develop strength and balance, short sessions of light lunging can be introduced. Used carefully, lunging can help improve rhythm, body awareness and proprioception while allowing us to monitor movement patterns from the ground.

The key is keeping sessions short, positive and progressive, allowing the young horse time to build strength gradually.

Correct groundwork like this lays the foundations for a horse that moves strongly, evenly and comfortably when they progress into ridden work.

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26/02/2026

🐎 What does “good movement” really look like? ✨

This image I created highlights how the whole horse works as one connected system not just legs moving forwards, but a chain of stability, strength and coordination from nose to tail.

🔹 Thoracolumbar stabilisation
A stable back allows force to travel smoothly from the hindquarters through the body, rather than being lost or absorbed as tension.

🔹 Cranial & caudal thoracic control
The thoracic sling and chest region help distribute load through the forelimbs while preventing collapse through the base of the neck and shoulder area.

🔹 Ribcage excursion (up, down & side-to-side)
Healthy movement includes the ribcage expanding and lifting, essential for balance, breathing efficiency and lateral work.

🔹 Abdominal sling & core stabilisation
True “core strength” in the horse supports the spine, improves posture and allows the horse to carry both rider and work more comfortably.

🔹 Hindlimb engagement & gluteal drive
Power starts behind engagement of the gluteals and hamstrings creates propulsion, impulsion and control, not just speed.

🔹 Pelvic mechanics (expand & support)
A functional pelvis allows the hind limbs to step under the body, supporting collection, transitions and longevity.

💡 Why this matters!

Restrictions, weakness or poor coordination in any of these areas can show up as stiffness, loss of performance, unevenness, behavioural changes or recurrent injury.

As an equine physiotherapist, my role is to identify where movement is breaking down, restore function, and give you practical exercises to support your horse between treatments.

Strong, supple, supported horses move better and feel better 🐴

18/02/2026

❄️ Winter isn’t an off-season for physiotherapy ❄️

When competition season is slow, it’s easy to think physiotherapy can too, but winter is just as important for both horses and dogs 🐴🐶

➡️ Reduced movement & turnout
Cold, wet conditions often mean less exercise, leading to stiffness, reduced joint mobility, and loss of muscle strength.

➡️ Cold temperatures affect tissues
Muscles and joints are less elastic in the cold, increasing the risk of strains, soreness, and compensatory movement patterns.

➡️ Small issues go unnoticed
Without the demands of competition or high-level training, subtle weaknesses or asymmetries can quietly worsen over winter.

➡️ Winter prep = summer success
Maintaining mobility, strength, and comfort now helps your horse or dog return to work sound, supple, and ready when spring arrives 🌱

✨ Physiotherapy in winter focuses on:
• Keeping joints moving freely
• Maintaining muscle tone
• Managing age-related stiffness
• Preventing injury before workload increases

👉 Think of winter physio as maintenance, not a luxury, it sets the foundation for a stronger, healthier season ahead.

HealthyHorse HealthyDog PerformanceStartsEarly

23/01/2026

🐎 Equine physiotherapy plays a vital role in keeping horses comfortable, mobile and performing at their best, whether they’re competition horses, racehorses, happy hackers or retirees. Regular physio helps maintain healthy movement, prevent injury, and support recovery from work-related strain or rehabilitation.

📸 Here I’m performing a forelimb flexion combined with gentle abduction, specifically targeting the pectoral muscles and shoulder region.

This technique:
• Encourages improved shoulder and forelimb range of motion
• Helps release tension and tightness through the chest and shoulder
• Supports better limb placement and symmetry
• Assists horses that may show shortened stride, stiffness, or uneven loading
• Promotes relaxation and body awareness

By improving mobility through the forelimb and chest, we can positively influence the horse’s way of going, comfort under saddle, and overall posture.

Every horse is an individual, and treatments are always tailored to what that horse needs on the day 🧡

31/12/2025

✨ Forever grateful as we step into 2026 ✨

As I look back on the year, I honestly can’t put into words how thankful I am for every single client — old and new & who has trusted me with their incredible dogs and horses.

From welcoming so many new faces, to continuing to support those who have been with me from the start, it has been a privilege to work across such a wide range of disciplines. From happy hackers and much-loved companions, to high-level competition horses and dogs, every single one has mattered just as much.

I’ve loved being part of rehabilitation journeys, building strength and confidence through tailored programmes, as well as carrying out MOTs and maintenance visits to keep our animals feeling their best all year round. Every dog wag, every horse nicker, every small improvement and big milestone has meant the world to me.

Thank you for your trust, your kindness, your support, and for allowing me to do a job I truly love. I genuinely care about each and every one of your animals, and I’m so grateful to be part of their journey.

Here’s to welcoming you all, and many more, into 2026. I can’t wait to continue supporting you and your wonderful horses and dogs in the year ahead 💙

Happy New Year 🐾🐎✨
Ellie
Ellie Brassey Veterinary Physiotherapy

24/12/2025

Happy Christmas 🎄 🧑‍🎄

As we come to the end of another incredible year, I just want to say a huge thank you to all of my wonderful clients, loyal friends, and the many new faces who have joined me recently. This year has been truly brilliant, with a growing number of horses and dogs benefiting from physiotherapy to improve their mobility, performance, comfort, and overall wellbeing. It has been a privilege to support your horses as they move more freely, build strength, and perform at their best, and to help your dogs stay happy, comfortable, and active in their daily lives. Your trust, commitment, and care for your animals mean so much, and I am incredibly grateful for every appointment, recommendation, and kind word. I wish you all a very happy Christmas filled with rest and joy, and a fun, healthy New Year. I’m really looking forward to continuing this journey with you and your animals as we move into 2026, helping them feel their best and supporting their long-term wellbeing every step of the way ✨🐴🐶

HorseHealth DogWellbeing EquineWellbeing PerformanceHorse HappyHorses HealthyDogs AnimalWellbeing ClientAppreciation SmallBusinessLove ChristmasWishes NewYear2026 LookingAhead PhysioLife SupportLocal

10/11/2025

Don’t Overlook Physiotherapy for Your Dog 🐶

Physiotherapy isn’t just for injured dogs , it’s about keeping them comfortable, mobile, and pain-free throughout life. From playful pups to golden oldies, every dog benefits from proactive care.

Here are a few everyday habits that can quietly cause discomfort or tension 👇

🐶

🔹 Collars and pulling on the lead
Constant pulling puts pressure on the neck, shoulders, and even the spine — sometimes leading to long-term tension or pain. Switching to a well-fitted harness spreads pressure evenly and helps protect muscles and joints.

🐶

🔹 Stairs and slippery floors
Running up and down stairs or losing grip on smooth floors can strain joints and muscles, especially in young dogs or those with arthritis or hip issues. Non-slip mats, ramps, or gentle guidance can make a big difference.

🐶

🔹 Jumping in and out of cars or onto furniture
That daily leap in and out of the car adds up! Repetitive jumping can jar the shoulders, elbows, and lower back. A small ramp or lift in/out support helps protect joints — especially in larger breeds or older dogs.

🐶

🔹 Overdoing exercise or swimming
While activity is great, sudden bursts of intense play, long walks, or endless swimming can fatigue muscles that aren’t conditioned for it. Build up gradually, and let rest days be part of your dog’s routine.

🐶

🔹 Feeding position matters
Dogs with neck, back, or shoulder discomfort can struggle when feeding from the floor. Using an adjustable raised feeder can help them eat more comfortably without over-stretching or hunching.

🐶

🔹 Weight and muscle balance
Extra weight or weak core muscles increase strain on joints and ligaments. Physiotherapy exercises help strengthen supporting muscles and improve balance, coordination, and posture.

🐶

✨ Small changes in daily care can make a huge difference. Physiotherapy keeps dogs moving freely, builds strength, and helps prevent pain before it starts.

10/11/2025

Don’t Ignore Physiotherapy for Your Horse 🐴

Physiotherapy isn’t just for horses in pain it’s about keeping them comfortable, preventing issues, and helping them move at their best. Whether you’ve got a happy hacker or a top competitor, regular physio makes all the difference.

Here are a few everyday things that can quietly affect your horse’s body 👇

🔹 Haynet height matters!
Too high = constant neck and back tension.
Too low = overstretching.
Feed as close to the ground as safely possible to encourage natural movement and healthy topline muscles.

🔹 If your horse feels ‘fresh’, find the cause , not just the outlet.
Endless lunging won’t fix it. Check for pain, saddle fit, nutrition, turnout, or changes in routine. Fresh behaviour is communication, not defiance.

🔹 If your horse is spooky 👻 teach, don’t punish.
Tension restricts movement. Instead of forcing them past something scary, use calm, consistent exposure. Relaxation = correct movement.

🔹 Racehorses: pre-race care matters too.
Pre-race physio warms up muscles and improves stride length.
Post-race helps flush lactic acid and reduce inflammation.
Both are key for soundness and performance.

🔹 🛑 Laser therapy helps healing.
Low-level laser therapy speeds up recovery, improves blood flow, and reduces inflammation — great for wounds, scars, and soft tissue injuries.

🔹 For the greedy feeders.
Soak hay to lower sugars instead of cutting quantity.
Use small-holed nets or multiple feeding spots to slow eating and reduce neck strain.

✨ Every horse deserves to feel their best — and regular physiotherapy keeps them moving freely, performing happily, and staying sound for longer.

Ellie Brassey Veterinary Physiotherapist

22/04/2026

01/04/2026

27/03/2026

16/03/2026

09/03/2026

26/02/2026

18/02/2026

23/01/2026

31/12/2025

24/12/2025

10/11/2025

10/11/2025

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