Stallard Veterinary Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

14/07/2025

Hello 👋🏻 12 months since my last post on my business page after being a super busy mum of two little munchkins 💚 but the time has come to officially return to work!
My diary is now open for August onwards, please send me a message on Facebook messenger or WhatsApp to arrange your appointments to make my admin a little easier 🙏🏻 07454176168

Please note my diary has limited availability - I am due to be returning to study in September to expand my qualifications to human physiotherapy - watch this space 🤩

13/06/2024

Well the time has come where I will be clocking off again for Maternity #2.
Thankyou so much to the understanding of my lovely loyal clients who welcomed me back so beautifully after Isabelle was born and have again wished me well with round two - I will miss you all!
But I hope to see you all soon, and as ever I’m always here to answer any questions and offer advice 💚
SVPR xx

19/02/2024

So important to assess what these horses are communicating to us 💭🐴

15/02/2024

I’ve been wondering whether or not to post this picture for a couple of weeks…

I mean, who wants to see bare human legs on a physio page about horses….

But, what I find fascinating about this picture is the muscle wastage after two weeks of Non-Weight-Bearing!

It is crazy! Yes, my left leg has probably developed some extra muscle to compensate for all that hopping around, but to be completely honest, I was sitting in bed for most of that two weeks!

Now think how this translates to horses that may be compensating or favouring one limb over another… how much muscle mass can be lost/gained in just a couple of weeks?! How does that asymmetry then manifest and potentially cause more dysfunction?

This is why physiotherapists are SO important in your regular training programme - they pick up on mild asymmetry and changes in muscle tone, which could alert you to an issue before any lameness even occurs!

14/11/2023

Is rehabilitation for experts only? Many months ago some clients asked if rehabilitation was rocket science - my simple answer is always no, but i acknowledge there is often a large jump for owners from their everyday skills of handling and riding a sound/fit horse to being confident enough to rehabilitate or condition their own injured/weak horse using those more specific skills that are not so everyday for most!

Welcome my brand new youtube channel .vetphysioandrehab - My goal is to teach or refresh the core skills needed and guide you to transform your horse, reaching their peak performance and potential. This first video is now live: A step by step guide to Long Rein: How and Why ?
https://youtu.be/4k5W1LgvRok

If you watch the video and still feel you want more information feel free to contact me - I can offer further advice or even in person tutorials.

www.stallardvpr.co.uk

Learn how to Long rein in a step by step walk through from an experienced equestrian and qualified veterinary physiotherapist, whilst also discussing the ben...

04/11/2023

🆕 Exciting Update: I have 2 NEW services available ! 🤩

⚡️Electrotherapy appointments: suitable for cases I have previously seen for assessment, examples of when this may be helpful - Laser treatment for enhanced Wound Healing, Ultrasound treatment for encouraging specific soft tissue / tendon healing, and Laser/PMFT for pain management (especially osteoarthritis cases) ⚡️

💈Rehab Exercise: Has your Vet or myself prescribed specific exercises E.g. box rest exercises/ long reining/ lunging/ hand walking (even redressing bandages), or are you trying to fit in some groundwork sessions - you don’t have the time? Not sure where to start ? Or just want a demonstration/ lesson how? This is your chance to have a physio led session in the comfort of your own yard! I’m an experienced rider aswell as physiotherapist ✔️

If you have any questions or would like to book in please message me on 07454176168 with your name and details 🌟

03/11/2023

Important advice 🐴❗️

⚠ Some of us may have had the first autumnal frosts of the season, so it may be tempting to get on with worming for the possibility of encysted redworm. But hang fire! This parasitic stage of the small redworm can have fatal consequences so it is important that we tackle it at the appropriate time.

🌦 The weather overall is still too mild which means redworm on the pasture are still pretty active. Worming to target the encysted stages now will mean a higher possibility of reinfection after treatment, especially if the horses are still out 24/7 or getting a lot of grazing time. We need to wait for a period when daytime temperatures on the pasture consistently fall below 6 degrees Celsius, which is generally between late December and February. This advice applies to healthy adult horses. Young or old horses may need additional consideration depending on their Autumn results.

If you haven't already done so, there is still time for an autumn worm count for redworm and roundworm, and EquiSal test for tapeworm. A wormer may be required now from those results and then another for the encysted redworm once cold enough.

If in doubt about the best course of action for your horses then get in touch for our free, vet approved, expert advice.

More info 👉bit.ly/Wait-for-Winter

31/10/2023

Happy Halloween to all my lovely furry friends 🎃🐶🐴

23/10/2023

Would you believe this chap is 32 years old ? 🤩 Even in semi- retirement he hacks out each week (including hill work) keeping his brain and body active, and he also enjoys 24/7 turnout 🧡

🧡 These golden oldies really benefit from regular light exercise and turnout to keep their joints and minds healthy- if you would like to discuss methods to maximise your golden oldies health and longevity book in a maintenance session with us where we can maximise their comfort and create a bespoke guide to ensure many more happy years with your bestie!

Message 07454176168 or email us at stallard.vpr@gmail.com 📧

20/10/2023

Had the pleasure of catching up on the new research and protocols surrounding Rehabilitation Post Surgery last night 🐴🏥
My absolute passion is getting these cases back up on their feet and it felt so good to refresh my knowledge ⭐️

25/07/2023

Hello everyone and say hello to Belle 👋🏻 gosh I can’t believe it been 1 year today since I went on maternity leave! 🙃 Well I’m sure you will all be excited to hear I am back in business after welcoming my beautiful girl 🐴🐶 I have limited availability and I am already booking up quickly but it’s so great to be visiting new and old clients again - I’ve missed you all! 💛

Please note: For the month of August Old clients are able to book at “repeat appointment “ rates as I am very aware it’s been a while since I could visit and that’s on me! Thankyou all for your paitence for my return 🌟

28/05/2023

“Ohhh this horse just has a little arthritis in his left hock, it doesn’t seem to bother him too much.”

Horses are prey animals and therefore great compensators; they will create alternative locomotive patterns to continue movement.

So, say this little bit of osteoarthritis causes a reduced range of motion of the tarsal joint. In an attempt to maintain stride length and hide this dysfunction to potential predators (because you never know when a lion could be waiting around the corner... or a flapping plastic bag!) the tarsal (hock) joint is rotated medially (inwards) during the swing phase of the stride. This results in asymmetrical & medial weight bearing through the digit (hoof). This places additional stress through medial hamstring muscles, resulting in muscle tension and trigger points. And this is all something that is potentially going on in the affected hindlimb.

A hip hike/drop can occur at corresponding phases of the stride, placing the sacroiliac joint under stress, resulting in paraspinal and asymmetrical gluteal tone/pain.

Decreased impulsion from the left hindlimb leads to increased weight bearing through the right forelimb diagonal. This can create tension and hypertrophy to the right pectoral muscles and related fascial planes.

The spiral of compensation could continue on further, affecting cervical muscles that become hypertonic as a result of weight shifting, digit shape and size, TMJ pain, head tiling, hyoid dysfunction, asymmetric tail holding...

Check ligaments may strain on the overloaded limb, saddles may slip, mouths may open, head shaking may happen. And that doesn’t mean we have to put on a flash noseband, non-slip saddle pads and wear spurs to get more impulsion from the left hind that is through and through p a t h o l o g i c a l.

Often it can be the case where I see a horse that is a chronic stage of compensation and it can be difficult to find the true cause especially when the horse may appear just overall “stiff”.

I liken the rehabilitation of chronic cases to peeling the layers off an onion; one layer at a time and piece by piece to unravel and rewind the compensation spiral. 🐴

If this sparks a thought in anyone’s mind that actually, their horse may be suffering with this kind of pain presentation — follow your gut, trust that you know what is best for your horse and have your vet, physio, farrier, nutritionist, saddler, trainer all work with you and your horse to improve their comfort 🥰