"STRETCH 4 STRIDE A BETTER MOVING HORSE IS A BETTER PERFORMING HORSE"
NEWMARKET EQUINE PHYSIOTHERAPY
Newmarket Equine Physiotherapy is based in Newmarket, the centre of racing, providing a professional mobile Equine Physiotherapy service. Grainne Ni Chaba-Byrne CertClinEd(AccMdx),CertAT,DipESMT,CKTP-E, HNDEqS,Dip.EquinePsychology, MRAMP,KTAI member, FEI PET, MIRVAP(VP)IEH) has been practicing for over 24 years specializing in the thoroughbred racehorse industry but is also an FEI PET (Permitted Equine Therapist) - a new category of equine treating professional introduced in 2018 by the FEI.
Equine physiotherapy is used in the treatment and management of equine lameness, poor performance and maintaining the equine athlete at its peak, improving core muscular strength. Equine physiotherapy is now considered an essential part of maintaining and rehabilitating the equine athlete. Equine physiotherapy tools of the trade are their hands - massage, bodywork stretching, acupressure- and various machines which stimulate healing such as - electrotherapy, therapeutic ultrasound, K-Laser Class 4 therapy, laserpuncture, pulsed magnetic field therapy, kinesio taping , equissage, hydrotherapy and rehabilitation modality treatments. A therapists goal is to reduce pain, aid healing, restore movement and enhance strength and flexibility to an area. To produce a better moving horse produces a better performing horse.
The equine physiotherapist must have an in depth knowledge of the physiology and biomechanics involved in locomotion. Prevention is better than cure; but in the event of injury, knowing the correct therapies available is a fundamental principle in rehabilitating the injured equine athlete. Equine musculoskeletal injuries are common in the performance horse regardless of discipline. The vet involved should play a key role in referring the case to an equine physiotherapist. When a multidisciplinary approach is adopted for an injured equine athlete, the horse, trainer and owner all benefit.
The main goals of the equine physiotherapist are pain reduction, aid healing, restoration of range of motion, restoration of strength and prevention of injury.
