Case Studies (Equine)

Some of the interesting cases I have worked on.

Tom
  • 5 yr old, Skewbald cob who showed at a top level prior to suffering from Osteochondrosis Dessicans (OCD) of his stifles. He was operated on in December 2012.
Tom competing at RHS, before surgery.   When his stifles began to get sore.
Tom doing hydrotherapy on Portobello beach.   Tom back out hacking after 9 months post surgery.
Bluebell
  • Bluebell is a Dales mare, owned by Kayreen Jones a Western Coach & horse breeder. Bluebell was not broken in until quite late in life & impressively now competes in English & Western style competitions. Bluebell is very smart, she quite clearly lets her owner know when she needs to see her physio & knows exactly where she ‘has a sore bit’ when I go to check her; she won’t stand still until I get to her sore/tight area and then she stands like a rock with a look on her face that says ‘thank god you found it at last human!’ she really is special. BB is expecting her first foal in the Spring!

Sammy

Sammy & his owner Dana Grant had been having a fabulous dressage season, they had qualified for the British Riding Club Championships in Lincoln and were very excited about going. Then disaster struck a few weeks before the competition – Sammy went lame in a fore limb. Although Dana was sad that she may miss the Champs, she was mostly worries about her Sammy. She called out both her vet & I to try to ascertain the problem. It transpired Sammy had a pectoral muscle tear! So with the pressure on we set to work with a intensive programme of physiotherapy, including ultrasound & laser phototherapy. Dana religiously holding ice then heat packs on Sammy’s tear and following the range of motion & stretching programme I had set for him. Thankfully the tear healed in time and here he is at the Champs!!

Athene

Last year one of my  clients, Megan & her Australian Stock Horse, Athene travelled to compete in Ireland as a Junior on the Scottish Endurance Team. Unfortunately her horse became very stressed during the journey over & in her panic was injured. This was obviously distressing & stressful for all involved, but Athene was exceptionally well looked after by everyone at the time. It transpired that this horse must have slipped whilst travelling and tore a number of muscles –  her pectorals, epaxials and hamstrings; & also subluxated her sacroiliac joint. It has taken months of intensive physiotherapy and manipulation to heal Athene’s injuries but she returned to ridden work within about 3 months and is looking forward to the next Endurance season!